The Mississippi Blues Trail marker commemorating Napolian Strickland is on the center median in the 200 block of Main Street in Como, Mississippi. Mississippi Blues Trail markers for Mississippi Fred McDowell and Otha Turner are nearby.

Mississippi Blues Trail marker for Napolian Strickland, Como, Mississippi
Mississippi Blues Trail marker for Napolian Strickland, Como, Mississippi

The GPS location of this marker is: N 34° 30.734′ W 89° 56.477′

The marker reads:

“NAPOLIAN STRICKLAND – Napolian Strickland (1924-2001) was one of Mississippi’s most gifted musicians in the fife and drum and country blues traditions. A life-long resident of the Como-Senatobia area, Strickland excelled on the homemade cane fife and was also proficient on harmonica, guitar, the one string “diddley-bow,” and various percussion instruments. Strickland’s music was the highlight of countless fife and drum picnics in this area, and he was featured in several documentaries and recording projects.”.

Mississippi Blues Trail marker for Napolian Strickland, Como, Mississippi
Mississippi Blues Trail marker for Napolian Strickland, Como, Mississippi

Here are some videos of Napolian Strickland:

This is Napolian Strickland performing Woke Up This Morning for Alan Lomax in 1978:

Napolian Strickland performing Black Mattie for Alan Lomax in 1978:

Napolian Strickland performing Rock Me All Night Long on harmonica for Alan Lomax in 1978:

Napolian Strickland demonstrating the diddley bow for Alan Lomax in 1978:

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