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Lecture and Performance - West Africa to New Orleans: African Masking TraditionsPost an Event »

Museum of the African Diaspora

March 13 - March 13, 2011

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685 Mission Street San Francisco, CA 94105
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David Montana and Ausettua Amor Amenkum (New Orleans Mardi Gras Indians) and Nimley Napla (Liberian Masking traditions) will discuss the function of masking in West African societies, their retention and transformations in New Orleans. Each will give live demonstrations of their respective forms and discuss the costuming and their significance. The New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian is a cultural phenomenon unique to New Orleans that emegred in the late 1800s with African descnedants playing Afro-Caribbean rhythms and wearing costumes made of beads and feathers which were modeled after Native American ceremonial dress. The lecture and demonstration will feature artists performing in the Collage des Cultures Africains event entitled "Festival of the Masks." In its 17th year, March 10-13, 2011, Collage is an annual gathering of local and international performing artists from the African Diaspora. This year’s conference and event is dedicated to masking traditions from the countries and regions of Senegambia, Mali, Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, Congo, Nigeria and the United States. For more information, please go to www.diamanocoura.org This program is co-sponsored by Museum of the African Diaspora, Nfungotah Inc. Board of Directors, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, and the Diamano Coura West African Dance Company. Free with MoAD Admission.