Gallery
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
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. 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 Big Chief Demond Melancon hand beading a part of his Mardi Gras Indian suit. (C)2019 GILES CLEMENT/DEMOND MELANCON. In 2008, after Hurricane Katrina’s devastation, Melancon returned to masking. 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 New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian Council was established in 1985 to represent the tribes’ interests. Mardi Gras Indians in 2011 Derek Bridges via Wikimedia Commons under CC BY 2.0. Following *The Mardi Gras Indians are affirmed on this date (Fat Tuesday). Beginning around 1732, Blacks became a cultural foundation of New Orleans and Mardi Gras's 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 a long and hard African-based road. But, don’t worry — you can still see Mardi Gras Indian tradition no matter the time of year you visit. The Donald Harrison, Sr. Museum, located in the heart of the historic 9th Ward, showcases exhibits on the African diaspora, including the Mardi Gras Indians. Learn more about New Orleans' neighborhoods. The Mardi Gras Indians are a group mainly made up of black New Orleans citizens from the inner-city. The society has a colorful history that’s well worth reading up on . Once made up of violent krewes, these now-peaceful tribes now compare their tribal song, dance and dress with other tribes as they meet that day. James R. Creecy in his book Scenes in the South, and Other Miscellaneous Pieces describes New Orleans Mardi Gras in 1835: [3] The Carnival at New Orleans, 1885. Shrove Tuesday is a day to be remembered by strangers in New Orleans, for that is the day for fun, frolic, and comic masquerading. Mardi Gras revelers greet a float from the Zulu parade at the corner of St. Charles and Canal Streets in New Orleans, La., on Mardi Gras day Tuesday, Feb. 11, 1997. (AP Photo/Andrew J. Cohoon) Share 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. Inside 'Indian Red,' The Anthem Of New Orleans' Mardi Gras Indians African-Americans in the city have paraded in spectacular regalia inspired by Native American motifs for more than a century. The 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. 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. 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 As Mardi Gras Indians like him prepare for this St. Joseph's night, it seems their culture belongs more to New Orleans — more to the world, really — a once-secretive tradition opened up to all What's New; Media; Contact; MARDI GRAS PARADES. Schedule & Routes; Mardi Gras Krewes; Marching Clubs; Mardi Gras Floats; WHEN IS MARDI GRAS? Mardi Gras 2025; Future Mardi Gras Dates; Family Gras; Lundi Gras; PLAN YOUR VISIT. Mardi Gras Dining; Mardi Gras Packages; Mardi Gras Attractions; Mardi Gras Tips; Mardi Gras FAQs; New Orleans Hotels; New The 9th Ward Seminoles Black Masking Indian tribe Big Chief Keitoe Jones and his great niece Little Queen Zia Brumfield, 9, walk on Claiborne Avenue on Mardi Gras Day in New Orleans in 2024. The Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame works year-round to create community among, honor, and educate about the individuals and groups who create and uphold the arts and culture of the Mardi Gras Indians of New Orleans. New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian culture was born out of necessity. It was birthed through the grit and determination of our ancestors on this continent, who realized that they were being colonized even while some of their own were complicit in that colonization through Christianity, in general, and Catholicism specifically.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |