Shaka Zulu, Golden Feather Hunters

Shaka Zulu is a musician, stilt dancer, and Big Chief of the Golden Feather Hunters, one of the traditional Black Masking tribes in New Orleans, Louisiana. The New Orleans Masking Societies create elaborate, three-dimensional costumes worn during Mardi Gras, a tradition that dates back to when Black residents of New Orleans were excluded from participating in the Mardi Gras celebrations. Shaka was born in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans and grew up surrounded by the arts traditions of the neighborhood. He and his wife, C. Naimah Zulu, Big Queen of the Golden Feather Hunters, collaborate on costume design, community outreach, and educational programs. He has been honored for his work as a craftsman as a 2022 NEA National Heritage Fellow.