Instrument Types
has top concept: Atabaque
has top concept: Rada drum battery
preferred label: Tipos de instrumento sagrado @pt
has top concept: Other
preferred label: Àwọn ìrú ohun-èlò ìlù mímọ́ @yo
has top concept: Shekeré / Güiro
has top concept: Petwo drum
preferred label: Types d'instrument sacré @fr
has top concept: Nkómo (Palo)
has top concept: Agogô (bell)
type: ConceptScheme
has top concept: Bàtá

Rhythm Functions
preferred label: Àwọn iṣẹ́ ìlù mímọ́ @yo
has top concept: Entertainment / public
has top concept: Farewell / departure
has top concept: Funerary / ancestral
preferred label: Funções do ritmo sagrado @pt
type: ConceptScheme
has top concept: Salutation / greeting
has top concept: Possession induction
has top concept: Initiation ceremony
preferred label: Fonctions du rythme sacré @fr
preferred label: Funciones del ritmo sagrado @es
has top concept: Processional

Rhythm Families
has top concept: Lucumí — Güiro / Cajón
has top concept: Yorùbá (continental)
has top concept: Lucumí — Bàtá (Añá)
has top concept: Candomblé — Ketu (Yorùbá)
preferred label: Àwọn ìdílé ìlù mímọ́ @yo
has top concept: Palo Monte / Kongo-derived
has top concept: Haitian Vodou — Petwo
preferred label: Familles de rythmes sacrés @fr
has top concept: Candomblé — Angola (Bantu)
preferred label: Famílias de ritmos sagrados @pt
type: ConceptScheme
preferred label: Familias de ritmos sagrados @es
has top concept: Other
has top concept: Haitian Vodou — Rada

esoteric status notes
minimum access level: access-initiated-elder
comment: Free-text description of the esoteric or sacred status of this instrument, including any restrictions on who may touch, play, or be present. Initiated-elder only.
range: langString
type: DatatypeProperty
domain: Sacred Drum Set

Song Functions
preferred label: Funções do canto sagrado @pt
has top concept: Invocation
has top concept: Praise / Oriki
preferred label: Fonctions du chant sacré @fr
has top concept: Other
has top concept: Funerary / ancestral
has top concept: Narrative / Pataki
preferred label: Àwọn iṣẹ́ orin mímọ́ @yo
has top concept: Healing
has top concept: Initiation ceremony
preferred label: Funciones del canto sagrado @es
type: ConceptScheme

lineage name
domain: Musician Lineage
type: DatatypeProperty
comment: The name of this musician lineage or school. Community-restricted.
minimum access level: access-community-only
range: langString

Farewell / departure
definition: The rhythm signals or facilitates the departure of a spiritual entity from the ceremonial space.
in scheme: Rhythm Functions
type: Concept

drum set lineage
comment: The musician lineage to which this drum set belongs. Particularly important for Añá bàtá: the Olubatá lineage determines performance rights and toque knowledge. Initiated-only.
range: Musician Lineage
minimum access level: access-initiated-only
domain: Sacred Drum Set
type: ObjectProperty

Possession induction
type: Concept
definition: The rhythm is specifically associated with inducing or deepening spirit possession in a prepared recipient. Initiated-only detail.
in scheme: Rhythm Functions

song translation
range: langString
domain: Sacred Song
minimum access level: access-initiated-only
comment: Translation of song text into a non-liturgical language. Initiated-only: translations reveal meaning even without the liturgical text.
type: DatatypeProperty

Entertainment / public
definition: The rhythm has an accepted public or entertainment role alongside its sacred function (e.g., folkloric bàtá performances).
in scheme: Rhythm Functions
type: Concept

Iroko Framework: Ngoma Module (Sacred Music, Rhythms, Songs, and Instruments)
references: iroko-agency
version IRI: https://ontology.irokosociety.org/iroko-ngoma/1.3.0
creator: Iroko Historical Society
created: 2026-02-22
version info: 1.3.0
imports: iroko-core
type: Ontology
is part of: iroko-framework
references: iroko-authority
description: Domain module. Vocabulary for documenting sacred music across Afro-Atlantic traditions. Covers ritual rhythms and their entity associations, sacred songs and verse corpora, consecrated drum sets and their lineages, and musician authority transmission. Integrates with the Music Ontology (mo:) where applicable. Access control distinguishes public knowledge (rhythm names, entity associations) from restricted operational detail (toque sequences, song texts, drum preparation). Use with iroko-agency for consecrated instrument agency (Añá); iroko-authority for musician lineage authorization; iroko-narrative for song transmission chains and verse corpus provenance.
modified: 2026-03-21
references: iroko-narrative
license: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

lineage founder
minimum access level: access-community-only
type: ObjectProperty
domain: Musician Lineage
comment: The founding master musician of this lineage. Range: foaf:Person.
range: Person

Yorùbá (continental)
in scheme: Rhythm Families
preferred label: Yorùbá @yo
definition: Sacred rhythms in continental Yorùbá practice, including dundun (talking drum), bàtá, and sakara traditions as practiced in Nigeria and Benin.
type: Concept

Candomblé — Angola (Bantu)
definition: Rhythms of the Angola (Bantu/Kongo-derived) nation in Candomblé. Maculelê, capoeira, and samba de roda exist in relationship with Angola ritual music.
type: Concept
in scheme: Rhythm Families
preferred label: Candomblé Angola @pt

instrument type
domain: Sacred Instrument
range: Concept
type: ObjectProperty
minimum access level: access-public-unrestricted
comment: The type of sacred instrument. Range: iroko:InstrumentTypeScheme.

Praise / Oriki
in scheme: Song Functions
definition: Song that honors and praises an entity or ancestor without necessarily seeking presence. Oriki are the primary Yorùbá form.
type: Concept

rhythm function
domain: Sacred Rhythm
type: ObjectProperty
range: Concept
minimum access level: access-community-only
comment: The ceremonial function of this rhythm. Range: iroko:RhythmFunctionScheme.

Narrative / Pataki
in scheme: Song Functions
definition: Song that tells a story about an entity, an ancestor, or a sacred event.
type: Concept

Haitian Vodou — Rada
definition: Rhythms of the Rada nation in Haitian Vodou, associated with the cool, beneficent lwa (primarily Fon-derived: Lasirèn, Loko, Ayizan, Danbala). Performed on the Rada drum battery.
in scheme: Rhythm Families
type: Concept
preferred label: Vodou Rada @fr

Sacred Rhythm
comment: A tradition-specific ritual drumming pattern with defined entity associations, ceremonial function, and authority requirements for performance. In Lucumí: a toque or canto. In Haitian Vodou: a tanbou rhythm for a specific lwa. In Candomblé: a xirê toque. Each rhythm is identified by its name, entity association, tradition, and lineage variant. Rhythm names are community-restricted; possession-trigger status and toque sequences are initiated-only.
subclass of: SacredEntity
type: Class

entity called
domain: Sacred Rhythm
range: SpiritualEntity
minimum access level: access-community-only
type: ObjectProperty
comment: The spiritual entity primarily associated with this rhythm — the entity this rhythm is sung/played for or that it invites. Range: iroko:SpiritualEntity. Community-restricted.

consecration date
range: date
comment: Date the instrument was consecrated or born. For Añá bàtá: the date of Aña reception.
minimum access level: access-community-only
domain: Sacred Instrument
type: DatatypeProperty

associated rhythm
comment: The rhythm pattern that accompanies this song.
domain: Sacred Song
type: ObjectProperty
range: Sacred Rhythm
minimum access level: access-community-only

possession trigger
domain: Class
  union of: Sacred Rhythm
  union of: Sacred Instrument
minimum access level: access-initiated-only
comment: Whether this rhythm or instrument is understood to trigger or invite spirit possession when performed correctly. Domain broadened in v1.3.0 to include iroko:SacredInstrument as well as iroko:SacredRhythm: a consecrated drum set (SacredDrumSet) or individual sacred instrument may trigger possession independently of which specific rhythm is being played, as the instrument itself carries the invocation capacity. Initiated-only: this knowledge is operationally significant and not appropriate for public documentation.
range: boolean
type: DatatypeProperty
modified: 2026-03-21

Lucumí — Bàtá (Añá)
in scheme: Rhythm Families
preferred label: Bàtá de Aña @es
definition: Rhythms performed on the consecrated Añá bàtá drum set in Lucumí/Ocha tradition. Requires Olubatá authority and Aña initiation to lead. Considered the highest-authority drumming tradition in Lucumí; specific toques are associated with specific Orisha and are operationally significant.
type: Concept

Palo Monte / Kongo-derived
preferred label: Palo Monte @es
type: Concept
in scheme: Rhythm Families
definition: Rhythms of Palo Monte and related Cuban Bantu-Atlantic traditions, performed on nkómo drums and associated percussion. Tata Nganga authority determines performance rights for restricted rhythms.

house affiliation
type: ObjectProperty
comment: The religious house with which this instrument or drum set is affiliated. Range: iroko:House.
minimum access level: access-community-only
range: House
domain: Sacred Instrument

Petwo drum
type: Concept
preferred label: Tambou Petwo @fr
definition: Drums used in Haitian Vodou Petwo nation ceremonies. Prepared differently from Rada drums; tighter skin tuning and faster tempo.
in scheme: Instrument Types

Atabaque
in scheme: Instrument Types
definition: Single-headed conical drum used in Candomblé in sets of three (rum/grande, rumpi/médio, lé/pequeno). May be consecrated; the rum (largest) typically leads.
type: Concept

Candomblé — Ketu (Yorùbá)
type: Concept
definition: Rhythms of the Ketu (Yorùbá-derived) nation in Candomblé, performed on the atabaque trio (rum, rumpi, lé). The xirê sequence calls each Orixá in a defined order.
in scheme: Rhythm Families
preferred label: Candomblé Ketu @pt

Agogô (bell)
preferred label: Agogô @yo
in scheme: Instrument Types
definition: Double or single iron bell providing the timeline in many Afro-Atlantic rhythm traditions. Associated with Ogun/Ogou in Lucumí and Vodou contexts.
type: Concept

Sacred Instrument
comment: A musical instrument used in Afro-Atlantic sacred contexts, which may be consecrated, named, or otherwise distinguished from secular instruments of the same type. Examples: a set of consecrated bàtá drums; Vodou rada drums (manman, seconde, bula); Candomblé rum/rumpi/lé. An instrument may have its own name, lineage, and history. The instrument type is public; consecration status and internal names are community-restricted.
subclass of: SacredEntity
type: Class

Healing
in scheme: Song Functions
definition: Songs performed as part of healing or cleansing interventions.
type: Concept

song function
type: ObjectProperty
range: Concept
comment: The ceremonial function of this song. Range: iroko:SongFunctionScheme.
minimum access level: access-community-only
domain: Sacred Song

Salutation / greeting
definition: The rhythm formally greets and honors an entity without necessarily seeking possession. Often the opening toque in a sequence.
in scheme: Rhythm Functions
type: Concept

song text
minimum access level: access-initiated-elder
range: langString
type: DatatypeProperty
comment: The full text of the song as transmitted in the lineage. Initiated-elder only: sacred song texts are among the most sensitive items in this corpus, equivalent to verse corpora in the Marca module.
domain: Sacred Song

song title
minimum access level: access-community-only
range: langString
type: DatatypeProperty
domain: Sacred Song
comment: The title or opening phrase identifying this song. Language-tagged. Community-restricted.

alternate rhythm name
type: DatatypeProperty
domain: Sacred Rhythm
comment: Alternative or regional names for this rhythm. Language-tagged.
minimum access level: access-community-only
range: langString

Other
type: Concept
in scheme: Song Functions
definition: Song function not covered by existing concepts.

toque sequence
minimum access level: access-initiated-elder
range: langString
comment: The full performance sequence: how this rhythm is introduced, developed, and resolved within a ceremony. Initiated-elder only: toque sequences are core esoteric knowledge of the musician lineage.
type: DatatypeProperty
domain: Sacred Rhythm

lineage house
type: ObjectProperty
domain: Musician Lineage
comment: The religious house through which this musician lineage operates. Range: iroko:House.
range: House
minimum access level: access-community-only

Other
type: Concept
definition: Sacred instrument type not covered by existing concepts.
in scheme: Instrument Types

song entity
domain: Sacred Song
type: ObjectProperty
range: SpiritualEntity
comment: The spiritual entity addressed or invoked by this song. Range: iroko:SpiritualEntity.
minimum access level: access-community-only

Other
definition: Rhythm family not covered by existing concepts. Use skos:scopeNote to describe.
type: Concept
in scheme: Rhythm Families

liturgical language
minimum access level: access-community-only
comment: The liturgical language in which this song is performed (e.g., Lucumí/Yorùbá, Fon, Kikongo, Haitian Kreyòl). Language tag.
domain: Sacred Song
type: DatatypeProperty
range: language

Musician Lineage
subclass of: SacredEntity
comment: A documented chain of transmission from master musician to apprentice, governing the right to play specific sacred instruments, lead specific rhythms, or perform specific songs. In Lucumí: Olubatá lineages with specific Añá initiations. In Candomblé: ogan lineages. Musician lineages are community knowledge in general form; specific transmission records are initiated-only.
type: Class

rhythm name
domain: Sacred Rhythm
type: DatatypeProperty
minimum access level: access-community-only
comment: The conventional name of the rhythm in the tradition's liturgical language. Language-tagged. Community-restricted.
range: langString

Bàtá
in scheme: Instrument Types
definition: Two-headed conical hourglass drum of Yorùbá origin. In Lucumí tradition, the consecrated Añá bàtá set (iyá, itótele, okónkolo) is the highest-authority drum. Requires Olubatá/Aña initiation to play in sacred contexts.
type: Concept

Invocation
type: Concept
in scheme: Song Functions
definition: Song that calls or invites a spiritual entity. Primary function of canto de entrada and analogous opening songs.

rhythm notation
minimum access level: access-community-only
range: langString
domain: Sacred Rhythm
type: DatatypeProperty
comment: Onomatopoeic or phonetic notation of the rhythm pattern (e.g., 'kon-ko-lo' for a specific bàtá pattern). Community-restricted.

set components
domain: Sacred Drum Set
minimum access level: access-community-only
range: langString
comment: Description of the drums in a consecrated set (e.g., iyá, itótele, okónkolo for bàtá). Community-restricted.
type: DatatypeProperty

Funerary / ancestral
type: Concept
definition: Songs performed in Ituto, Egungun, or other funerary and ancestral contexts.
in scheme: Song Functions

Processional
in scheme: Rhythm Functions
definition: The rhythm accompanies movement through ceremonial space or between spaces.
type: Concept

instrument name
domain: Sacred Instrument
minimum access level: access-community-only
comment: The name of this specific consecrated instrument or set. For Añá bàtá: the name of the drum set. Community-restricted.
range: langString
type: DatatypeProperty

Shekeré / Güiro
preferred label: Shekeré @yo
definition: Gourd rattle with bead netting used across Yorùbá-derived and related traditions. Consecrated shekeré are used in Orisha ceremonies; güiro refers to the Cuban variant.
in scheme: Instrument Types
type: Concept

Initiation ceremony
in scheme: Rhythm Functions
definition: The rhythm is performed specifically during initiatory ceremonies and is restricted to those contexts.
type: Concept

Lucumí — Güiro / Cajón
in scheme: Rhythm Families
type: Concept
definition: Rhythms performed on non-consecrated shakers, cajón, or güiro in Lucumí contexts. Used in güiro ceremonies and some Espiritismo-adjacent practice. Less restricted than bàtá but still tradition-specific.

Sacred Song
comment: A song, chant, or liturgical vocal composition used in Afro-Atlantic ceremonial contexts. Includes oriki (Yorùbá praise poetry), canto de entrada (Lucumí invocation songs), chanson Vodou, and analogous forms. Songs may be classified by entity addressed, ceremony type, and liturgical language. Song text is among the most sensitive data in this module: song existence and entity association are community-restricted; text and melodic structure are initiated-only to elder-only.
type: Class
subclass of: SacredEntity

Rada drum battery
type: Concept
in scheme: Instrument Types
preferred label: Tambou Rada @fr
definition: The three-drum Haitian Vodou Rada battery: manman (largest), seconde (middle), bula (smallest). Associated with cool, Fon-derived lwa.

Haitian Vodou — Petwo
preferred label: Vodou Petwo @fr
definition: Rhythms of the Petwo nation in Haitian Vodou, associated with fiercer and more demanding lwa (often Kongo-derived). Distinguished by faster tempos and specific drum preparation practices.
type: Concept
in scheme: Rhythm Families

Initiation ceremony
definition: Songs performed specifically within initiatory rites, restricted to those contexts.
type: Concept
in scheme: Song Functions

Sacred Drum Set
type: Class
subclass of: SacredEntity
comment: A formally recognized set of consecrated drums understood as a unified sacred entity within a tradition. In Lucumí: the Añá bàtá set, which holds the spirit of Añá and requires specific initiation (Aña or Olubatá) to play. In Haitian Vodou: the Rada drum battery (manman, seconde, bula). In Candomblé: the atabaque trio (rum, rumpi, lé). A drum set may have its own name, lineage, house affiliation, and reception date. The Añá bàtá in particular carries highly restricted esoteric status; set identity and lineage are initiated-only.

Funerary / ancestral
type: Concept
in scheme: Rhythm Functions
definition: The rhythm is performed in funerary, Egungun, or ancestral veneration contexts.

transmission lineage
comment: The musician lineage through which this rhythm is transmitted. Range: iroko:MusicianLineage.
type: ObjectProperty
range: Musician Lineage
minimum access level: access-community-only
domain: Sacred Rhythm

Nkómo (Palo)
in scheme: Instrument Types
preferred label: Nkómo @es
definition: Drums used in Palo Monte ceremonies. The nkómo tradition derives from Bantu/Kongo drumming practice. Different preparation and restriction protocols than bàtá.
type: Concept

rhythm family
domain: Sacred Rhythm
comment: The broad rhythmic family or tradition category. Range: iroko:RhythmFamilyScheme.
range: Concept
type: ObjectProperty
minimum access level: access-public-unrestricted

authority requirement
range: Concept
type: ObjectProperty
domain: Musician Lineage
comment: The initiation or authority title required to perform in this lineage. Range: iroko:AuthorityTitleScheme concept.
minimum access level: access-community-only