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Mardi Gras Indians organize in groups known as "tribes" (or "gangs"). Typically, they identify by tribe names, rather than as "Mardi Gras Indians" or "Black Masking Indians". [1] Scholars have described the Mardi Gras Indian tribes as spiritual secret societies, mutual-aid organizations, and social clubs. [213] But he does take issue with Mardi Gras Indians who name themselves after unaffiliated Native tribes, using words like “Mohawk” and “Pocahontas.” “No one gets to use someone’s tribal In the mid-20th century, the Mardi Gras Indian tradition began to gain wider recognition and support. The tribes became more organized and the costumes became more intricate. The music evolved, incorporating new instruments and styles. This period saw the emergence of some of the most iconic tribes and Big Chiefs in the history of the tradition. The tribes, with names like the Golden Eagles, the Yellow Pocahontas, and the Wild Magnolias, parade through the streets on Mardi Gras, their rhythmic chants and intricate dance steps echoing the spirit of resistance and celebration that permeate their heritage. The Mardi Gras Indians are a fascinating subculture of New Orleans. They are hierarchical, territorial tribes in African-American communities and give themselves names like Wild Magnolias, Creole Indians would meet on Mardi Gras; it was a day to settle scores." - Larry Bannock, Past President, New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian Council. Masking Indian Indians Ranks Super Sunday Keep-N-It-Real Indian Videos. Mardi Gras is full of secrets, and the Mardi Gras Indians are as much a part of that secrecy as any other carnival organization. Spy Boy - An individual whose role in a Mardi Gras Indian tribe is to scout out and look out for other Mardi Gras Indian tribes. They use signals to let the gang know another tribe is coming. Wild Man - An individual whose role in a Mardi Gras Indian tribe is to protect the chief. In the early 20th century, meetings between tribes were often Currently, there are 40 active tribes that participate in parades and events during Mardi Gras, Super Sundays and St. Joseph’s Day. Each tribe has a hierarchy that includes positions such as Big Music, typically call-and-response chanting with tambourines and other handheld percussion plays a central role in the Mardi Gras Indian masking (when the tribes take to the streets). With their formal hierarchy, the Indians grace the streets of New Orleans’ neighborhoods in friendly competition over which suits are the “prettiest.” On Mardi Gras Day, if you're lucky enough to see some of the Mardi Gras Indians, the first Indian you're likely to see is the Spy Boy. His job places him ahead of the Big Chief's procession. Each Spy Boy has a method to signal potential trouble or approaching rival Indian tribes with dancing, whooping, hollering, and hand language. The tribes, with names like the Golden Eagles, the Yellow Pocahontas, and the Wild Magnolias, parade through the streets on Mardi Gras, their rhythmic chants and intricate dance steps echoing the spirit of resistance and celebration that permeate their heritage. Oliver Thomas, a former city councilman who now hosts a daily radio talk show in New Orleans, remembers following Mardi Gras Indian tribes as a child, each name as splendiferous as the next: The Jazz Fest, the much-younger sibling, has consistently showcased aspects of Mardi Gras, notably performances and parades by the city’s iconic Mardi Gras Indian tribes. But there’s much else of interest for those curious about, or already initiated into, the seasonal rites of pre-Lenten merriment (Carnival) that culminate on Mardi Gras (aka Mardi Gras baby names are full of carnival joy and festivity, and inspired by New Orleans and the Bayou. New Orleans is one of the carnival capitals of the world. In the weeks around Mardi Gras (also known as Shrove Tuesday, or pancake day), the streets are filled with parades, music, dancing, feathers and beads. In a Mardi Gras Indian tribe or “gang,” the gang flag is responsible for relaying information or “signals” to and from the big chief. Also known as the flag boy or flag, he typically carries a decorated staff or totem emblazoned with the tribe’s name or some other signifier. But on the two most sacred Indian dates—Mardi Gras Day and St. Joseph’s Night—the individual tribes set their own schedules, routes, and priorities. It’s all about starting the day (or evening) with the drum-driven kickoff hymn “Indian Red” and then rolling out to hunt for other tribes and backstreet face-offs. Mardi Gras Indians organize in groups known as "tribes" (or "gangs"). Typically, they identify by tribe names, rather than as "Mardi Gras Indians" or "Black Masking Indians". [1] Scholars have described the Mardi Gras Indian tribes as spiritual secret societies, mutual-aid organizations, and social clubs. [213] Indians would meet on Mardi Gras; it was a day to settle scores." - Larry Bannock, Past President, New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian Council. Masking Indian Indians Ranks Super Sunday Keep-N-It-Real Indian Videos. Mardi Gras is full of secrets, and the Mardi Gras Indians are as much a part of that secrecy as any other carnival organization. The Mardi Gras Punch is a bold and flavorful party drink, perfect for celebrating Mardi Gras with a crowd. Inspired by the classic Hurricane, this punch blends light and dark rum with vibrant citrus flavors and passion fruit juice, creating a rich, tropical base with just the right amount of tartness and sweetness. Big Chief costumes take up to a year to make, cost thousands of dollars, and can weigh more than 100 pounds. The 38 or so individual tribes that participate in the Mardi Gras are loosely confederated as either Uptown or Downtown Indians, each of which wear costumes with slightly different design features.
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Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
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