In the year of masks and face coverings, Congressman Adriano Espaillat (D-Manhattan, Bronx) may have been hoping for either some good luck or perhaps he was hoping to chase away some evil spirits from America’s capital. Whatever the reason, the congressman ended up purchasing a traditional African mask during a recent browse through the Bronx, confirming that he would be taking his purchase back with him to Washington D.C.

Espaillat, together with New York City Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner, Jonnel Doris, was seen browsing local businesses in the Kingsbridge section of the Bronx, on Saturday, Nov. 28, in celebration of “Small Business Saturday.” The pair visited several stores, made a few purchases, and left a box of surgical masks and flyers on how businesses can remain open safely as COVID-19 cases soar once again across the city.

After about twenty minutes of window shopping and admiring the handmade crafts and masks inside Mastitis’ Urban African Store, located at 5616 Broadway, Espaillat made his decision. “I’m gonna take one of these babies to Washington,” he said.

Store owner, Cheick Conde, showed the congressman several masks from the Congo and from the Ivory Coast before Espaillat finally selected a wooden mask, covered in bronze. The three men would later settle down for a five minute jam session on three African drums.

Conde explained to the two men that the masks are used by different African nations during different rituals and ceremonies, such as a blessing for a good harvest, or protecting a tribe during peacetime and war.