The family of batá consists of three drums of different sizes denominated from major to minor. They are the Iyá, Itótele and Okónkolo. The resonance boxes have an hourglass shape and possess two drumheads of different diameters whose skins are tightened through a system of longitudinal strings (from one drumhead to another). These strings are tightened at the surface of drum body by other transverse strings. To play the batá, it is placed horizontally and both drumheads are struck with the palms of the hands in different combinations.