Mardi Gras Indians

Young Maasai Hunters step out

Sun, 03/03/19
2018 was the first Mardi Gras for the Young Maasai Hunters, led by Big Chief Dump (Keelian Boyd Sr.). The black masking Indians of New Orleans, commonly known as Mardi Gras Indians, comprise a diverse group that is always evolving. Some participants are born into it, while... Read more

Queen Shirley Goodman homecoming

Tue, 02/19/19
Queen Shirley Goodman of the Flaming Arrows tribe passed away in December 2018 and this video shows a few moments of her homecoming celebration. Goodman was a beloved mainstay of the 7th Ward community, involved in both Mardi Gras Indian and Baby Doll groups. After the fune... Read more

Wild Mohicans: Jazz Fest at 50 Photo of the Day

Fri, 02/22/19
Authored by Carrie Booher
Wild Mohicans at Jazz Fest on April 29, 2017. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee. In honor of Jazz Fest's 50th anniversary in 2019, we're featuring a Jazz Fest photo of the day with our audience. Keep your eyes here, and at our Jazz Fest 50 page, all year long to see them, plu... Read more

Interview: Big Chief Keitoe of Seminole Mardi Gras Indians

Sat, 12/08/18
This week on Takin' It To The Streets, hear Action Jackson's interview with Big Chief Kito of the Seminole Mardi Gras Indians. Find out why he steps out alone, what it's like coming out of a limousine on St. Joseph's Night, what it was like masking in the 1980s, and much mo... Read more

Video: 9th Ward Hunters practice 2018

Sat, 09/08/18
With less than 6 months to go to Mardi Gras, here's a brief look back at Carnival 2018, as Big Chief Thomas "Bo" Dean of the Cheyenne Hunters invades the Mardi Gras Indian 9th Ward Hunters practice for a verbal battle with Big Chief Romeo Bougere of the 9th Ward Hunters. Read more

Video: Cha Wa at WWOZ

Mon, 08/06/18
Cha Wa joined us in the studio today for a live performance and to debut a new single! Check it out below. Cha waaaaaa!  Read more

Interview with Spy Boy Timothy Washington of the 9th Ward Hunters

Sat, 07/21/18
Takin' It To The Streets host Action Jackson sits down with Spy Boy Timothy Washington of the 9th Ward Hunters Black Indians of Mardi Gras. They discuss the Spy Boy position; Juneteenth; the masking tradition; masking in the 1980s and 1990s; resurrecting the Indian traditio... Read more

Wild Opelousas: a new Mardi Gras Indian tribe grows out of a Westbank charter school

Sat, 04/21/18
Authored by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee
Wild Opelousas of Martin Behrman Charter School created their first Mardi Gras Indian suits in 2016. Students are able to take a class to about this important New Orleans cultural tradition and share in making the suits. Read more

Photos from Downtown Super Sunday 2018

Tue, 04/10/18
Photographer Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee was in the streets on Downtown Super Sunday (April 8, 2018), capturing scenes as Mardi Gras Indians donned their suits for another time this year. Baby Dolls and the Pigeon Town Steppers were on hand, as well. Check out a few of the highlig... Read more

Photos from St. Joseph's Night 2018

Sun, 03/25/18
Photographer Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee was in the streets on St. Joseph's Night, capturing scenes throughout downtown New Orleans as Mardi Gras Indian tribes prepared, stepped out, and met under the overpass and in the neighborhoods. Check out a few of the highlights below.  Read more

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