LP Founder Martin Cohen first came across bata drums more than thirty years ago at a religious ceremony in the Bronx, New York. Traditionally batas are ceremonial drums that are played in groups. At least three people sit, each with a different size drum, and act out "call and answer" patterns which are played on the drums.

They were traditionally rope tuned, but today, through the use of state-of-the-art machinery, LP Bata Drums are wrench tuned. They are made from our specially selected, kiln dried, environmentally friendly Siam Oak and are the most precisely made batas available today.

LP Bata Drums are available in three sizes: small or Oconcolo with 5" and 6-3/4" head sizes, medium or Omele/Itolele with 5-3/4" and 9" head sizes, and large or Iya with 6-1/2" and 12-1/2" head sizes.

The shape of the shell is gracefully tapered, with increasing thickness to the smallest point, for a great, strong sounding drum. Each natural rawhide head has been carefully chosen for optimum sound quality. LP Bata Drums are available with chrome hardware and are also supplied with a black nylon neck strap, a tuning wrench and LP Lug Lube.