Project description

Gélédé Queens, a captivating project by Destinie Adélakun, pays homage to the vibrant West African festival known as Gélédé. This mesmerizing series of images and a short film captures the essence of the Gélédé masked performance, a celebration of the society's esteemed and powerful elderly women, the Ìyàmi. The performers are resplendent in cultural and social ornaments, their wooden and cloth costumes a testament to the richness of West African tradition.

Through dance and drama, they weave a spellbinding narrative that blends beauty with the enigmatic, inviting the audience into a world where the familiar and the unknown converge. At its core, Gélédé Queens is a powerful counter-history project. It reimagines traditional roles by embracing non-binary gender expressions, challenging the conventional norms that have long defined the Gélédé.

Destinie delves into the hidden truths of gender nonconformity within West African mythologies, unearthing stories that have been silenced for too long. This exploration is not just a celebration of diversity but a reclamation of identities that have been marginalized by dominant historical narratives. The project is a vibrant tapestry that intertwines documentary, fashion, and performance. Destinie's contemporary portraits are a bold statement of gender-bending, where the subjects embody the spirit of the Gélédé in a way that transcends traditional gender boundaries. Gélédé Queens is a dynamic visual and photographic essay that underscores the fluidity of gender as an artistic expression.

This work is a testament to the resilience and creativity of the African diaspora. It celebrates the shared experiences that were nearly lost to the cruel waves of the Middle Passage. The short film, a poignant narrative, shows a male dancer in a colonial home, reclaiming space and heritage. This scene is a vivid reminder of the origins of the Caribbean carnival and its deep connections to West African masquerades. Gélédé Queens presents a modern, conceptualized take on Drag Queens, blending African-traditional dance with Vogue. This fusion is not just a performance but a storytelling technique that connects the past to the present.

The project is an attempt at transformation, a metamorphosis that challenges the visual codes historically associated with the Gélédé. It is an ideological challenge, a bold reimagining of what it means to honor tradition while pushing the boundaries of gender and identity.