Batalá Washington DC is an all-women Afro-Brazilian music band that brings samba-reggae rhythms and the vibrant energy of Salvador, Bahia to the Washington, DC area. Batalá Washington’s mission is to empower women through drumming and expose people to Brazil’s dynamic Afro-Bahia culture and samba-reggae music.

Batalá Washington is part of a global family of Batalá bands, a movement that began in 1997 with the vision of founder Giba Gonçalves. In 2007, Batalá Washington was founded, becoming the first Batalá band in the US and the first all-women led ensemble, bringing the powerful sounds of Brazilian drumming to Washington, DC and beyond.