New Orleans, Louisiana had always been one big gumbo pot of cultures. African, Caribbean, Spanish, Irish, Italian, and French are just a few of the influences that made this big city easy. Another part of the cultural landscape is the moan of work chants from Delta cotton fields, the heat of the Rhumba from the Caribbean, the tribal cohesion of Africa, and the warrior spirit of the Native-American. These worlds combine in probably the most unique cultural expression in America, the Mardi Gras Indians.
Tribal History
Slavery brought the African to New Orleans. Either directly from Africa, or from the plantations of the American south and the Caribbean islands. On Sundays, slaves would gather in Congo Square, a section of New Orleans off Rampart Street that is now Louis Armstrong Park, and for a few precious hours, coming together with drumming, singing and chanting. The rhythms of West Africa and the Caribbean meshed into new grooves that still are played in some neighborhoods of New Orleans to this day.
Party History
The roots of New Orleans modern day Mardi Gras celebration sprouted in the mid-1800's. Wild and dangerous street celebrations were semi-tamed by folks organizing into krewes. These social societies held masked balls and paraded in the streets. Krewes usually were from the wealthier white populations. African-Americans formed Social Aid and Pleasure societies. These clubs served as social centers, insurance co-ops, and community anchors.
One of the oldest clubs, Zulu, started parading in the same manner as the krewes. Other clubs paraded around the poor neighborhoods. These parades were un-announced and the routes were known to only a few insiders. When two of these parades met, it could mean violence. Through the years mock street battles evolved, recalling timeless universal rituals as old as man.
Meet De Boys On De Battle Front
Native-Americans and African-Americans had long held a sympathetic relationship. Many escaped slaves were welcomed in native tribes. The slaves honored the native-american spiritual and warrior tradition. In New Orleans, the costumes, music, and stories began to reflect this respect. Many of the anthems sung by todays Indians are stories of great battles in the native-american history.
Today, with names like Creole Wild West, Guardian of the Flame, Black Eagles, Wild Tchoupitoulas, and Yellow Pocahontas, battles take place on the streets at carnival time while masked, and in the bars during the October parade season unmasked. As in any military unit, a chain of command exist that propels the tribe down the street in search of rival tribes. When the two meet, the spectacle begins.
