THE BENTA

Dinki Mini is a dance which is usually performed at wakes or set ups in the parish of St. Mary. This dance is typically accompanied by a band of musicians playing instruments such as shakas, drums, guitars and graters. However, probably the most unique and interesting of all the instruments played by the band is the Benta.

The benta is believed to have been derived from instruments found in the Congo. However, because very little has been documented about this instrument, this connection with the Congo region has not yet been confirmed.

The benta is said to play a very integral role in the performing of the Dinki Mini dance as it provides the main source of rhythm. It is made from a large length of bamboo with a strip cut from it and lifted from the rest of the bamboo and firmly fastened at either ends. This strip is kept in place by two pieces of wood which are referred to as the bridge.

The benta is played with a dried empty gourd with a hole at one end and two thin bamboo sticks by three players, two of whom sit at either end of the length of bamboo. One player rubs the gourd along the strip of bark and this action produces a heavy, low and twanging note on the first and third beats of each bar. The gourd serves as a resonating chamber. The third player sits perpendicular to the benta and uses the sticks to hit the strip while the gourd is being rubbed along it.

Not all Dinki Mini bands use the benta, however, those who do hold it in the highest regard. In fact, there is a group that calls themselves Benta because it is the main instrument in their band.



References
Lewin, Olive. Rock it come over: The folk music of Jamaica. Kingston: University of the West Indies
Press, 2000.
McLeod, Pamella. The origins and development of Dinkie Mini in St. Mary: A survey of Dinkie Mini in
St. Mary. 1985.
Senior, Olive. Encyclopedia of Jamaican Heritage, St. Andrew: Twin Guinep Publishers, 2003.