CTC 9th Ward3/1/22 Mardi GrasBlack Hatchet under the direction of Chief Dowee The 9th Ward Black Hatchet Mardi Gras Indians parade by A.L. Davis park in Central City on Super Sunday, March 17, 2019, in New Orleans, La. Photo by Matthew Hinton Big Chief Victor Harris of the Spirit of FiYiYi Mardi Gras Indians masks on Super Sunday, March 17, 2019, in New Orleans, La. Photo by Matthew Hinton Young members of the 9th Ward Black Hatchet Mardi Gras Indians (WGNO-TV) Bush said, “I hated the thought of New Orleans and the 9th Ward getting hit hard again because it seems that that’s Big Chief Dowee and the black Hatchet Indians were nothing short of Amazing. Watch as they sing and dance to the ritual “Indian Red” Dancing in Congo Square, 1886. Mardi Gras Indians have been practicing their traditions in New Orleans since at least the 18th century. The colony of New Orleans was founded by the French in 1718, on land inhabited by the Chitimacha Tribe, and within the first decade 5,000 enslaved Africans were trafficked to the colony. Once completed, it comes together in a stunning and vivid mosaic to been seen at Mardi Gras, Super Sunday, St. Joseph’s Day and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Photographer Christy Bush sat down with Big Chief Dowee Robair, the head of the 9 th Ward Black Hatchet, to learn more about masking, the suits, and Mardi Gras Indian Big Chief Demond Melancon wears his Red Cloud suit amongst other members of Mardi Gras Indian tribes [+] during Mardi Gras 2014. In February 2021, the usual bustle of New Orleans’ Canal Calvin “Medicine Man Cal” Williams is a Mardi Gras Indian in the Ninth Ward Black Hatchet Tribe. Right now, he’s creating his elaborate suit, but the cost to make it has sky rocketed Some of those traditions include the Black Masking Indians, the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, which is an actual parading group. They ride on floats and have throws. And we also have the Northside Skull and Bones Group, which is a skeleton group. They are the first in Black Mardi Gras traditions to come out on Mardi Gras day. In New Orleans, some African Americans mask in elaborate beaded and feathered Mardi Gras Indian suits, roving the city to sing, dance, drum and perform. The tradition, a central part of the Black Carnival experience in New Orleans since at least the late 1800s, is believed to have started in part as a way to pay homage to area Native Americans It wouldn't be Mardi Gras without the Indians, and they didn't disappoint in the Ninth Ward Mardi Gras morning. Mardi Gras Indians: Black Hatchet Tribe parades in the Ninth Ward by: WGNO Web The event included a brass band and hundreds of feathered and beaded Black Masking Indians, also known as Mardi Gras Indians. Blazio died June 17 at the age of 82 at his home in Gentilly. We're back live in the Lower Ninth Ward with the 9th Ward Black Hatchet Mardi Gras Indians. Big Chief Dowee Robair of the 9th Ward Black Hatchet Mardi Gras Indians looks on before getting suited up for the Downtown Super Sunday parade in New Orleans on April 10, 2022. "Early that morning" the tribe assembles at the house of their Big Chief Dowee Robair where he leads them in their prayer "Indian Red," while introducing one Margie Perez, Black Magic Drumline, Big 6 Brass Band, Audrey Ferguson & The Voices of Distinction, Bamboula 2000, Creole Wild West Mardi Gras Indians, Loyola University Jazz Ensemble, Andrews Brass Band, Bad Boyz, Ice Divas, Lady Pigeon Town Steppers, and Nkrumah Better Boys Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs (SA&PCs), Cary Hudson & Katrina Miller Margie Perez, Black Magic Drumline, Big 6 Brass Band, Audrey Ferguson & The Voices of Distinction, Bamboula 2000, Creole Wild West Mardi Gras Indians, Loyola University Jazz Ensemble, Andrews Big Chief Dave Montana of the Washitaw Nation Mardi Gras Indian tribe sings “Shallow Water” and plays the tambourine for a crowd at Bayou St. John on April 7, 2024 during Downtown Super Sunday. Big Chief Victor Harris greats a crowd at Bayou St. John for the Downtown Super Sunday parade on April 7, 2024. Margie Perez, Black Magic Drumline, Big 6 Brass Band, Audrey Ferguson & The Voices of Distinction, Bamboula 2000, Creole Wild West Mardi Gras Indians, Loyola University Jazz Ensemble, Andrews Mardi Gras Indians, which are also known as Black Indian Maskers, make a new suit each year. Harris, 61, said he spends his days hanging sheet rock for a living, but when he gets home, he takes a
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |