Save Musa's Drums:
A Call to Preserve Our Heritage
Dear supporters, we are thrilled to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your generous contributions to our campaign to save Musa the Drum Maker's life's work. Thanks to your incredible support, we have reached our initial goal of raising $1,400 by the 26th.
Your kindness and generosity have ensured that Musa's exquisite drum carvings, which hold immense cultural significance, will be preserved and eventually showcased in Black museums. This milestone is a testament to the strength and unity of our community.
While we have reached our initial goal, we will continue this campaign to ensure the long-term preservation and restoration of these beautiful pieces. Every additional donation will further support this important effort.
Thank you once again for your generosity and for joining us in preserving this vital part of our heritage.
Warm regards,
Ile Oro
Hello,
My name is Richard E. Mosley, but many of you know me as Musa Lalu W'oye the Drum Maker. I want to share with you the journey of my life's work, which is now at a critical juncture.
In my twenties, fresh from an honorable discharge from the US Navy, I returned to my hometown of Chicago, seeking purpose and a way to contribute to my community. It was during this time that I met Harold Murray, a remarkable man who would change my life. Harold was the founding member of The Sun Drummers, a group dedicated to the rhythmic heartbeat of our culture. I was immediately drawn to their energy and passion, and soon I found my place among them, carving drums.
These weren’t just any drums. They were some of the largest and most intricate carved drums in the country. Each drum told a story, resonated with our heritage, and connected us to our ancestors. I poured my heart and soul into crafting these instruments, believing in their power to bring people together.
Years later, my wife Asabi and I made a big decision. The cold winters of Brooklyn were becoming too much, and we yearned for a new start in the warmer embrace of Atlanta, GA. However, this move presented a significant challenge. My cherished drums were still in our old house in Chicago, and our new home in Atlanta lacked the space to store them. We decided to rent a storage locker in Chicago to keep them safe, hoping to bring them to Atlanta once we were settled.
Life, however, had other plans. The costs of closing on our new home and managing the mortgage were overwhelming. Despite our best efforts, I fell behind on the rent for the storage locker. Now, I face the heartbreaking possibility of losing the entire 10'×30' locker, which holds not just drums, but decades of my life's work and dedication. If I don't raise $1,400 by the 26th of this month, everything will be auctioned off.
I am reaching out to you, my community of friends, drummers, and dancers. I have received support from Ile Oro for starting this campaign and donations page in the hope that together, we can save these drums. My vision is to bring them here to Atlanta, where I can restore them and eventually offer them to Black museums. These drums are not just instruments; they are a testament to our culture and history, meant to be enjoyed and celebrated by our people.
Please consider helping me preserve this vital part of our heritage. Support this effort by donating today. Your support means the world to me and ensures that the legacy of these drums continues to inspire and unite us all.
Thank you for being a part of my journey.
With gratitude,
Richard E. Mosley (Musa the Drum Maker)
Frequency
One time
Amount
0/100
Comment (optional)