New Orleans Mardi Gras Indians
On Mardi Gras day the streets of New Orleans' vibrant black neighborhoods are filled with color and sound as the Indian tribes - the White Eagles, the Golden Eagles, Wild Magnolias, Mighty Cloud Hunters, and Yellow Pocahontas, to name a few - emerge and enact a fascinating and elaborate ritual tradition.
The Mardi Gras Indians tradition developed in New Orleans' black, working class community and dates back at least to the 19th century. Not feeling welcome in the mostly white Mardi Gras Krewes (the basic unit of parade organization), black neighborhoods and clubs began celebrating Mardi Gras in their own style, forming their own Krewes named for imaginary Indian tribes (intended as a sign of gratitude towards Native Americans who assisted escaped slaves). With roots in African, Creole, Caribbean and Native American cultures, the Indians tradition incorporates carnivalesque costume, percussive chant and song, dance and parade.
Divided into uptown and downtown groups, a tribe consists of common Indians, Spy Boys, Flag Boys, Wild Men, Chiefs, and sometimes a Queen with her attendants, and each rank has a function. The Spy Boys spot oncoming tribes and signal danger, and messages are conveyed through the ranks to the Big Chief, who gives the signal either to continue or to stop and make way for another tribe. If he decides to continue, the Chief will lift his war lance to signal a mock "war", which consists of the rival chiefs singing and dancing about their respective greatness. The object is to get the other chief to "humbah", or bow down, though this rarely happens today. In the early days, such confrontations sometimes ended in violence. Even though the Mardi Gras Indians have a longstanding tradition of parading on Mardi Gras day, they have always avoided the organized structure of the citywide celebration. They do not ride floats or follow planned routes or schedules, and even the most established parade has been known to halt and wait for marching Indians to cross its path.
Masking as an Indian means designing and creating a new costume every year. The costumes, often weighing 100-150 pounds, are masterpieces of hand-beading, feathers, sequins, and rhinestones, and a finished suit can cost well over $1,000. The music of the Indians echoes traditional African styles and consists of songs in a call-and-response pattern with percussive accompaniment. It's had a profound influence on New Orleans music as a whole and has been recorded by well-known musicians, including Professor Longhair, the Meters and the Neville Brothers. Leading this year's festival parades are Larry Bannock and the Golden Star Hunters. Larry Bannock is current president of the New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian Council and has been chief of the Golden Star Hunters since 1979.