Gallery
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
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. 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 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. The New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian Council always has their Indian Sunday on the third Sunday of March, around St. Joseph's Day. Their festivities begin at noon in A.L. Davis Park (at Washington & LaSalle Streets) where the Mardi Gras Indians once again dress in their feathers and suits and take to the streets to meet other "gangs". 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. A Mardi Gras Indian at a New Orleans jazz festival in 2011 Tulane Public Relations via Wikimedia Commons under CC BY 2.0. For much of their existence, the Indians The Mardi Gras Indians continue to evolve with the times, yet they remain a lasting reflection of the foundation of deep cultural exchange in New Orleans. Initially, their traditions honored their 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. M ardi Gras Indians are African Americans who form “tribes” that hold weekly practices in bars throughout New Orleans and then march through the streets on Mardi Gras Day and other recurring dates, when they wear elaborately hand-beaded and feathered costumes known as “suits.” In these public ceremonies, the Indians sing chants as they Mardi Gras Indians evolved from a bond African and Native Americans shared in the 18th and 19th centuries in the South, when runaway slaves sought safety among the various tribes living in the area. Today more than 20 tribes are found in Louisiana—White Cloud Hunters, Wild Apache, Flaming Arrows and Yellow Pocahontas, to name a few. The song of the Mardi Gras Indians exudes joy, defiance — and mystery. American Anthem Music that challenges, unites and celebrates. In New Orleans, 'Indian Red' Is The Anthemic Sound Of Tradition. Carnival Day for Mardi Gras Indians. Mardi Gras Indians Celebrating Carnival Day. Photo: Vincent Simmons. Meg: It’s Carnival morning. Walk me through your day. Cherice: Well, it’s a lot of chaos that morning. Chances are you did not go to sleep or if you did you went to sleep for two or three hours. CONTACT THE MARDI GRAS INDIAN SHOW. 1920 St. Claude Ave New Orleans LA 70116. 504-975-2434. info@mardigrasindianshow.com 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. Most outsiders stand in awe of Mardi Gras Indians’ elaborate suits, but due to the secrecy of this ritual few understand its origins. Join Tank Ball as she meets Masking Indians and explores one Mardi Gras Indians traditionally parade on Fat Tuesday and "Super Sunday," the Sunday closest to St. Joseph's Day. Some tribes now also parade on "Big Sunday," the weekend in April between the Tap To Call +1 (504) 957 2678. 1317 Tupelo Street New Orleans, Louisiana USA 70117 ☛ Google Map 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 On Mardi Gras Day, off-the-tourist-beaten path, you can find one of the most colorful and spectacular sights this city has to offerthe Mardi Gras Indians! A large part of New Orleans, including Carnival, is steeped in African roots. mardi gras indians. MARDI GRAS INDIANS, a 2019 exhibition of works by painter Robert Freeman and photographer Max Stern that celebrates a history of New Orleans parades, coinciding with the City’s 300th anniversary, has completed it's runs at the Adelson Galleries Boston and at the The Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |