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Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
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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. 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 Learn how New Orleans’ Black residents have donned Native-inspired attire to celebrate Mardi Gras since the 19th century. Explore the origins, history and culture of the Mardi Gras Indians, a distinctly African American tradition linked to Indigenous and African influences. One of the most mysterious, fascinating, and colorful pieces of New Orleans’ cultural quilt belongs to Mardi Gras Indians, also referred to as Black Masking Indians. A unique and historic subculture of New Orleans, Black Masking Indians and their traditions date back to the 1800s when Native Americans provided safe refuge and a sense of 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 Indians are celebrated on this date (Fat Tuesday) in 1732. These African Americans participate as a cultural foundation of New Orleans and Mardi gras history. The Mardi Gras Indians are as much a part of that secret society as any other carnival organization. The heritage of the Mardi Gras Indians is an African based long and hard road, starting in late 1600's with the Indian Learn about the history and meaning of Mardi Gras Indians, groups of people who parade in colorful suits and headdresses in New Orleans. Find out how they create their suits, which tell stories and reflect their African and Native American roots. One of these traditions is that of the Mardi Gras Indians, a unique tradition where Black men, women, and children mask in elaborate, hand-beaded, and feathered suits inspired by Indigenous and West African ceremonial dress. Show students the video on Mardi Gras Indians from Take Me to the River New Orleans (7:02). The Mardi Gras Indians came to the world’s attention in 1965, when New Orleans girl group The Dixie Cups struck pop-music gold with “Iko Iko” (a cover of 1953’s “Jock-A-Mo,” by Sugar Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday, which takes place March 4, marks the party’s climax and the end of Carnival Season on the Gulf Coast. The conclusion falls the day before Ash Wednesday and is seen as a final day of feasting and revelry before the solemnity of Lent. Since 1970, when they appeared at the inaugural New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Mardi Gras Indians, also known as Black Masking Indians, have emerged from the relative obscurity of neighborhood backstreets to become celebrated icons, with their music and folkways emblazoned on the cultural consciousness of New Orleans and beyond. African-Americans in the city have paraded in spectacular regalia inspired by Native American motifs for more than a century. The song of the Mardi Gras Indians exudes joy, defiance — and mystery. Mardi Gras Indians make a new suit each year, which they wear on just a few special occasions. Jones’ 2024 suit, which he debuted on Mardi Gras Day, has an unusual design. Instead of a vest or The Donald Harrison, Sr. Museum and Cultural Center (DHSMCC) serves to preserve and positively perpetuate the authentic indigenous culture of all individuals who masquerade as Mardi Gras Indians through mutually beneficial collaborations among the tradition bearers, academic institutions, individuals, organizations, and communities to foster 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 Indians have become a central part of the city's celebrations, but there was a time when residents found them mysterious and outsiders even considered them dangerous. More than 40 Mardi Gras Indian tribes performed on stage and paraded through the Fair Grounds, giving attendees from around the world a taste of one of the city’s most enduring and enigmatic cultural traditions. (Note on terminology: Although “Mardi Gas Indian” is a commonly used term, it originated from outside the culture. Mardi Gras Indians representing different neighborhoods perform in 2018 for the crowd at the Congo Square New World Rhythms Festival during the Mardi Gras Indian 'battle.' The Wild Magnolias of Mardi Gras Indians When you hear the hum of people talking about that person is a Mardi Gras Indian you know that person is very special, everybody don’t do it! Ricky Gettridge, former Spy Boy of the Yellow Pocahontas Mardi Gras Indian gang. The Mardi Gras Indians take their costume design cues from both Native American and West African traditions, with a distinctly local twist. Thousands of hours, thousands of dollars and thousands of beads and feathers go into each suit, many of which tell stories of African and African-American history in their designs.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
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