Mardi Gras Indians
African-American carnival subculture in New Orleans
Mardi Gras Indians
The Mardi Gras Indians (also known as Black Masking Indians or Black Maskers) are Black American Carnival revelers in New Orleans, Louisiana, known for their elaborate suits and participation in Mardi Gras. The Mardi Gras Indians subculture emerged during the late 1800s, founded by Becate Batiste during segregation as a blend of Black American and Native American cultural practices. The Mardi Gras Indians' tradition is created in New Orleans by Black Americans, and is a Creole and Black American artform exclusive to New Orleans. The Mardi Gras Indian tradition developed as a form of cultural resistance when Black Americans were not allowed to partake in Mardi Gras celebrations in certain areas and as a way to pay homage to Native Americans who assisted Black Americans by taking them into tribes due to them being runaway slaves. Black people could not gather in public or wear masks. Their aesthetic serves as an expression of their culture, creativity, and Black American heritage. The tradition...
Read on Wikipedia · Image Mark Gstohl, CC BY 2.0
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