Short flick on Guyanese Mende de Griot at African Film Festival, May 13

Described as a culture keeper of “our time,” Guyanese-born Baba Mpho Shanto, AKA Menes De Griot will be the topic of a short film, the beginning of a larger project documenting the master drummer’s 60-year musical journey. The film, directed by “AnAKA” will premiere on May 13, at the prestigious Lincoln Center, New York City, at 9 pm.

De Griot, an award-winning musician, who is actively preserving African traditions in the global community, grew up a member of the Komfa Spiritual Church in Guyana, and is continuing the works of his lineage by performing ceremonies for marriages, elders, births, and is a phenomenal drummer, Kwe Kwe (pre-nuptial ritual) specialist, herbalist, and natural lifestyle consultant.

Baba Mpho was initiated into the Ifa tradition by Chief Solagbade Popoola in Trinidad and Tobago. He has been playing drums for almost 60 years (professionally for more than 45 years), and he continues to perform ceremonies in Brooklyn and elsewhere. He is truly a force to be reckoned with, states the release.

An artist talk will follow the screening of the short program.

For more information and to purchase tickets: click https://www.filmlinc.org/films/shorts-program-through-the-new-york-lens/