This is a secular style of drumming from the Bantu cycle, and is extremely difficult to execute properly. Although there are many different forms of Yuka, I wanted to demonstrate the form taught to me by my teacher Regino Jimenez, and played by the percussion section of La Danza Moderna Nacional de Cuba. It can “trick” you into thinking it is a half time feel, but it actually is still a very fast 12/8 feel that requires a high degree of accuracy to groove well. The lead drum is based on a two clave long cycle, and will take some time to master. But really listening to the interlock of the stick pattern and the two sticks of the cachimbo and the mula will help to lock you in.