an [ im ] material space rooted in martinique/wanakaera functioning as an artistic and cultural research lab engaging togetherness and experimental pedagogy
SIANO
The Musical History
of Slavery and Colonialism
in the Imagination of Eugène Mona
We had the pleasure to host a conference to the name of: “The Musical History of Slavery and Colonialism in the Imagination of Eugène Mona”, presented by Martinican historian Valérie-Ann Edmond-Mariette to an audience of 121. Valérie-Ann’s research on Eugène Mona granted her to be recognised as recipient of the 2023 W.J. Eccles Prize awarded to her by the French Colonial History Society.
Valérie-Ann Edmond-Mariette is a Martinican PhD student in history at the University of the Antilles. She devotes herself to the memories of slavery and the music in the Antilles after departmentalisation. This is revealed in her thesis which she has titled, “Making memories of colonial slavery in music in the Antilles from 1956 to 1998.” In 2018, Valérie-Ann also created the Instagram-based platform, Oliwon Listwa, which serves as a research hub which allows her to make her research accessible to the wider public, in particular through thematic historical walks in Martinique. Following Valérie-Ann’s presentation, Adama Keïta opened up the dialogue in a moment of exchange with the public which she moderated. To much success, this conversation was enriched by the delightful presence of the charismatic Kontè and the talented flutist Igo Drané, both of whom set the stage for a lively interlude filled with joy, music, and sentimentality.
We also had the privilege of welcoming a solo performance by Max Cilla, sometimes known by his title, ‘Le Père de la flûte des Mornes’ (Toutoun Banbou). Max Cilla is a pioneer in traditional Martinican music, a wise voice in the field, and is also is remembered as the mentor to the esteemed Eugène Mona.
Our heartfelt gratitude to Valérie-Ann Edmond-Mariette for the trust and the love she intentionally bestowed on us for in the run up to this iteration and for responding so favourably to our invitation; to Igo Drané and Max Cilla for their emotion-driven, sincere and graceful performance; to Adeline Chapin for connecting us with the legendary Max Cilla; to our staff members, Nathanael and Kimberly, for their time and energy; and to Sinda Drine for capturing this beautiful moment so it can be remembered for times to come.
20.10.2023, in Paris ( France), Documentation by Sinda Drine
© Nianiba, 2025