On Wednesday, February 28, the New Orleans Museum of Art hosted the retirement celebration for Big Chief Victor Harris, also known as the Spirit of Fi Yi Yi, honoring 59 years as a Black Masking Indian with a night of drumming, words from community leaders and tribe members, film, and food. 

Harris began masking at the age of 15 as flag boy of the Yellow Pocahontas, led by Big Chief Allison “Tootie” Montana, before becoming Big Chief of his own tribe—the Mandingo Warriors—as the Spirit of Fi Yi Yi 40 years ago. The program at NOMA marked Big Chief Fi Yi Yi’s legacy as the longest continuously masking Black Masking Indian and his distinct impact on the culture and the city. 

The evening was organized in connection with NOMA’s Art Thrives initiative for adults 55 and older, which includes multi-week art-making courses and public events honoring community elders. Art Thrives demonstrates the museum’s ongoing commitment to older adults through opportunities that inspire lifelong learning and celebrate community building, knowledge sharing, and local traditions.

This past fall, the museum hosted the Elders Sacred Talk Series in collaboration with the Congo Square Preservation Society, and the series kicked off with a night of conversation and storytelling with Harris and poet Kalamu ya Salaam. The museum was thrilled to be able to bring this event full circle and continue to partner with Congo Square Preservation Society at Chief Harris’s retirement celebration in February. 

With well over 200 people in attendance, the crowds spilled out of NOMA’s Lapis Center for the Performing Arts and into the adjoining Coleman Courtyard. The event kicked off with drumming led by Congo Square Preservation Society and Black Masking Indians while the chief greeted attendees from the stage, which was adorned with several suits from years past. As the suits demonstrated, the Mandingo Warriors and the Spirit of Fi Yi Yi connect deeply to African masking traditions, incorporating cowrie shells, corn husk ribbons, and other distinct materials into the hand-sewn suits in addition to sequins, beads, and gems. 

Jessica Johnson, NOMA’s former Creative Aging and Access Coordinator, and Janet “Sula Spirit”  Evans of the Congo Square Preservation Society and the Mandingo Warriors welcomed the crowd. Dominique Dilling Francis, director of the Backstreet Cultural Museum, presented the chief’s biography and introduced a film highlighting his work and legacy. Additional words were offered by Dr. Ansel Augustine, who presented Harris with a proclamation from Xavier University of New Orleans; Sabrina Mays; Big Queen Cinnamon Black; and other chiefs, queens, and leaders of the Black Masking community. Photographers Eric Waters and Girard Mouton III presented Harris with works. The evening culminated in a communal feast of Trinbagonian soul food from local restaurant Queen Trini Lisa. 

The retirement celebration was a night to be remembered—filled with joyous song and drumming, beautiful suits, historic footage, and above all, community. People from across the city came together at NOMA to honor the rich legacy and lasting influence of Big Chief Victor Harris, whose impact on Black Masking traditions and the city as a whole will last long past his retirement.

As Johnson described of the evening, “It’s so important that we honor those who make the culture of New Orleans as undeniably rich as it is, and that we seize every opportunity to do so while our culture bearers are still here with us. Big Chief Victor Harris’s impact on Black Masking culture is nearly incalculable, and I’m glad the community got a chance to gather and express our deep gratitude for all he has offered us with his life’s work.” 

We look forward to welcoming visitors for future Art Thrives programs soon.

—Sara Lowenburg, Director of Education