2026 Day of the Ancestors: Festival of Masks

Every summer for the past 15 years, LA Commons hosts Day of the Ancestors: Festival of Masks, a beloved community tradition held during the Leimert Park Art Walk. This annual celebration honors South LA ancestors, ancestral traditions and customs, African and Diaspora artistic expressions, and shared community memories.

Founded in 2010, by artists Najite Agindotan and Ben Caldwell in collaboration with LA Commons, the Festival of Masks is a multicultural, multigenerational and multimedia arts event grounded in the vast identities of Africa and the African diaspora.

This year, we will be honoring:

• S. Pearl Sharp
• Horace Tapscott
• Aiysha Sinclair
• Meri Ka Ra (Reverend Richard Byrd)
• Kimberly Bolanile Paggett

The festival features a libation ceremony, procession and an exciting lineup of dance and musical performances. The blessing and libation ceremony are designed to invoke a healing and reflection process in the community. The procession through the streets symbolizes the people's power and capacity to take ownership over their community, address challenges and create change.

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