South African music icon Brenda Fassie’s Vulindlela was released in 1997 after the end of apartheid. Although it was still part of a deeply racially divided social milieu, it rose to become an anthem of celebration and expressed the hope of freedom. In July 2023 the Lang Collection of African Art makes the journey, along with Indigenous ancestors and Queen’s transfer collection, to a new temporary abode on campus while we prepare for Agnes Reimagined. As a moment of celebration, Agnes staff and members of the broader community enact a procession that honors the African collection through music, poetry and dance. All are welcome!

Participants in the procession will be gifted a curated poetry bundle.
Eleven Metal Tongues is written by award winning poet, Juliane Okot Bitek. The Lang Collection of African Art acted as a catalyst for the poems.

Curated by Qanita Lilla, Associate Curator, Arts of Africa