WWL Katrina NOFD Mardi Gras Indians 2006 African Americans, who were not invited to Mardi Gras celebrations, created their own Carnival rituals. Mardi Gras Indians began appearing in the late 19th century; the first group was the Creole Wild West from the Seventh Ward. The “Indians” honored Native Americans–who helped hide runaway slaves from bounty hunters and slave masters–by creating costumes and dressing up as American Indians. They were paying homage by “masking Indian” or “playing Indian,” and the tradition was a manifestation of the bond between American Indians and African Americans. Or, at least, that’s how one version of the story goes. Another theory is that the “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West” shows that traveled through New Orleans in the late 19th century inspired African Americans to dress as Indians. No one knows for sure, and the tradition’s real connection to American Indians is arguable. But, what is certain is that the “tribes” or “gangs” of Mardi Gras Indians began appearing in the late 1800s. Their folk art tradition included music, dance and hand-sewn costumes and masks. They were self-taught and dedicated to their craft. The neighborhood-based tribes followed a hierarchy, and the tradition was handed down to younger generations with extensive attention to detail. While Mardi Gras Indians certainly pay homage to American Indians, the rituals and garb are noticeably West African and Afro-Caribbean. From the beadwork, to the colors, the masks and call and answer nature of the chants, the Mardi Gras Indians call forth traditions that pre-date African Americans’ arrival in the United States. By the early 20th century, the Mardi Gras Indians’ traditions were established, but they remained marginal figures in Mardi Gras celebrations. They met in the mostly Black neighborhoods of New Orleans; away from the parade routes and tourist stops. And the tribe members themselves were often on the margins of New Orleans society. They were the poor and working-class, the service workers and carpenters. Their gatherings were secret, and sometimes their battles were violent. By mid-century, the gangs sometimes used their battles as a way to settle scores with their rivals. Knife-fights among the tribes were not unheard of.

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