Alene Mathurin’s Madras Tanbou

“A precious family owned it and gave it to me,” she says referring to the “unclothed” tanbou. “They must not have seen the value in it.”

But not this Alene Mathurin who lives in New Jersey. A girl from a rich and vibrant creole culture, of sewenal and daybot! Of knowing folks like Marilyn Gaston — a drummer virtuoso and of being raised in the community of Mon Repos. She took it home, gave it some caress and donned it with this beautiful Madras! The end result?

“It’s like a prized piece of furniture to me. Every time I see it, I’m reminded of my culture; of who I am.”