Indians of the Nation: the Mardi Gras Indians of New Orleans

By Lawrence Kasparowitz

The Mardi Gras Indians of New Orleans are a distinct, unique and creative subculture. They developed their tradition over 125 years ago, giving homage to the Native Americans who helped shelter runaway enslaved blacks. The tradition continues separate from the white Mardi Gras Carnivale that is seen in the center of the city. Indians make their suit by hand, one bead at a time, working for an entire year. On Mardi Gras morning a group(called a tribe) assembles in the black neighborhoods. Each tribe then walks the streets to meet other tribes. In the past, their meeting was met with violence. Today the contest is seeing who is "the prettiest". Each Indian works to create a new suit which will outdo his last year's creation. A true folk art, the suits of the Mardi Gras Indians are in the Smithsonian Collection and the Louisiana State Museum.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1533513503
• ISBN13: 9781533513502
• Release Date: September 2016
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 142 Pages
• Weight: 0.96 lbs.
• Dimensions: 11.0" x 0.3" x 8.5"