© Aris Dervis 2002
Mardi Gras Indian
The
tradition of the Mardi Gras Indian is almost as old as Mardi Gras itself.
Today there are approximately twenty tribes in New Orleans, including
the Wild Magnolias, the Golden Eagles, the Creole Wild West, Golden Star
Hunters, Original Yellow Jackets, Fi Yi Yi, Guardians of the Flame and
Yella Pochahontas. These groups take over the streets on Mardi Gras day
in African American neighborhoods searching for other tribes in what has
become a pageant to display the incredible suits they sew each year out
of plumes, beads, mirabeau, sequins and rhinestones. Often the creation
of a new suit can take an entire year, and the actual sewing and assembling
become the vehicle for social bonding.
It is said that the custom of the Mardi Gras Indians developed out of
respect for Native Americans. Often an escaped slave would be welcomed
into an Indian tribe to begin a new life of freedom, and the Mardi Gras
Indians pay tribute to that debt. Today we find the tribes masking on
Mardi Gras day, the feast of St. Joseph, Super Sunday, and at Jazz Fest
performances.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |