Opening Reception for "Bringing Africa to Mardi Gras"
Sat, Aug 03
|New Orleans
Join the Leona Tate Foundation for Change, Inc. in welcoming the newest exhibition to the Tate, Etienne, and Prevost Center. "Bringing Africa to Mardi Gras" is a beautiful exhibit curated by Mandingo Warrior drummer Wesley Philips.
Time & Location
Aug 03, 2024, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM CDT
New Orleans, 5909 St Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117, USA
About the event
An exhibit of the animal skin drums and african print outfits of the Mandingo Warriors drummers from 1994 to 2024. Using artifacts and photographs to tell the story, the exhibition documents how the Cowrie Shell came to New Orleans, and became a part of the Black Masking Indian tradition. The Drum Section began when Wesley Phillips, known as “Drummer”, made outfits and drums to celebrate the Spirit of FIYIYI’s 10 year anniversary as a BIG Chief. Jack Robertson, Master Designer for FIYIYI, added pieces to the 1997 drummers hat design, and then created the Big Chief’s suit. Over the years, the Cowrie Shell would appear on drummer hats, FIYIYI and Mandingo Warriors suits, and has been recently seen on suits of other Indian tribes.