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Regina Francis, Siddi Quilter

Santa Fe; New Mexico; United States

In 2016-17, Sarah K. Khan and I began to plan to sell Siddi quilts for the Cooperative at the International Folk Art Market (IFAM) in Santa Fe, NM, July 11-18, 2017. We applied for an IFAM grant to bring one of the quilters (along with an interpreter) to talk about her culture and history and to demonstrate Siddi quilting techniques. IFAM approved our application and we made arrangements for Regina Francis (a leader in the Siddi Women's Quilting Cooperative) to come, along with Reeta D'Souza, a member of Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross working with the Siddi communities in Karnataka. Regina and Reeta participated in all the events during the Market and provided wonderful visibility and presence for a little-known African Diaspora artistic tradition. These photos show Regina (and Reeta) at various stages during the Market. One photo shows her seated in front of a photograph of another Siddi quilter -- Fatima Adikese, the head of her quilting group from Kendalgiri village. Both Regina and Fatima have joined the ancestors and a new generation of quilters carries on the tradition.
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Reeta d'Souza, Henry Drewal, and Regina Francis soon after arrival in Santa Fe

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Reeta d'Souza and Regina Francis

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Reeta d'Souza and Regina Francis

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Regina Francis with IFAM artists.

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Regina Francis with IFAM artists.

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Regina demonstrating in front of a banner featuring Fatima Adikese.

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Regina Francis

Written by Henry Drewal;Sarah K. Khan (2023)

Henry Drewal and Sarah K. Khan

Black Diaspora Quilt History Project
Siddi Quilts and Quilters
 

  • Black Diaspora Quilt History Project

    Documentation Project

  • Collection

    Siddi Quilts and Quilters

    Drewal, Henry John

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