The Mardi Gras Indians, First African American Mardi Gras Krewe

You won't see them with the rest of the krewes and walking clubs during the Mardi Gras celebrations.That's because they don't hang out around Canal Street near the French Quarter or Uptown near St. Charles Avenue where all the other krewes parade. I admit, because I didn't know the schedule until late last year, I still haven't seen them perform myself. You may be able to see them at the Jazz and Heritage Festivals if you don't catch them on Mardi Gras Day, St. Joseph's Day or a Super Sunday. I'm referring to the Mardi Gras Indians, the oldest African American Mardi Gras Krewe.

The Mardi Gras Indians mask in the historically African American neighborhood of Treme in New Orleans and make stops at different local restaurants and taverns in the community. Since African Americans were not included in the earlier Mardi Gras parades, they created their own celebrations within their neighborhoods.

You can contact the Backstreet Cultural Museum in Treme for information on the schedule, which is where I found out a lot about the history. This amazing African American cultural tradition goes back to the early 1800's with the Creole Wild West shows. Native Americans were credited with assisting African Americans during slavery and this was a way to pay homage.

The costumes, called suits, are made of not only feathers but also intricate bead work. They take about a year to make and weigh at least 100 pounds. They also don't wear the same one twice. The downtown suits are made more of feathers indicative of Native American tribes and the uptown costumes are more reminiscent of West African beading traditions.

The amazing picture displayed on this post is of the Cheyenne Gang. Photo credit goes to Perry Braniff, Sr.


*** Click here also for more information on the Mardi Gras Indians.

Thanks for visiting. There is so much more to the Mardi Gras Indian culture than what's covered on this post. If you'd like me to add more about information about this topic on the blog please let me know by posting your comments below.


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

The Mardi Gras Krewe Of Orpheus

The Krewe of Orpheus is one of the newer additions to the Mardi Gras Carnival Parade. It was founded in 1993 by musician and native of New Orleans, Harry Connick, Jr. His father, Harry Connick, Sr. is also a member and is currently president. Orpheus takes it's name from the mythological Greek god of music. Traditionally their parade route goes through the Uptown section of New Orleans.

They start loading the floats on Lundi Gras Day (the day before Fat Tuesday) with tons of beads and other throws and start parading that evening.

One of the differences between Orpheus and many other krewes is their open membership. Most krewes are closed social groups, but Orpheus has stated that they accept members regardless of race or gender. 

The krewe also has Celebrity Monarchs every year that participate in the parade and ride on their floats. Entertainers including Forest Whitaker, Stevie Wonder, Whoopi Goldberg, Cyndi Lauper, Bret Michaels and Sandra Bullock are just a few that have rode with the krewe during Mardi Gras celebrations.

Click here to find out more about the Krewe of Orpheus.

Feel free to leave comments below!

Sondra Carpenter

The Mardi Gras Girl



How To Catch Mardi Gras Beads Without Losing Your Shirt

There are lots of videos around showing women flashing their breasts in order to get Mardi Gras beads. That seems to be an extreme way to get some plastic trinkets thrown at you, in my opinion. But anyone who's been to a Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans will surely tell you, there are beads being worn by everyone, of so many shapes, styles and color in addition to the traditional purple, green and gold. But you don't have to show any skin to get them.

Although Mardi Gras street parades started around the early 1800's when the King of Carnival, Rex was created, the tradition of beads, doubloons (large coins), cups, and sometimes stuffed animals, called throws being tossed into the crowds from riders on floats did not start until much later. Beads which started out as glass necklaces, were offered to the crowds around 1870.

Throws are definitely a component of the Mardi Gras experience and have now been a regular part of each krewe's signature. There are about 60 Mardi Gras krewes, which are social organizations that participate in the parades. Some have throws with their krewe logo, and the fun is in seeing what they have that's different every year.

*** Catching Mardi Gras beads can be done without removing any articles of clothing. I have attended 2 Mardi Gras celebrations to date and came back home each time with bags full of beads; and I never flashed to get any.

Here are my tips for catching beads that are easy and won't have you humiliate yourself or get you arrested:

* The old technique of waving your hands in the air and yelling "Throw me something, Mister!" still works. Try to make eye contact with the float rider and if you flash anything, make it a smile!

* Look up always, don't try to pick up anything that hits the ground when the floats are going by. The crowds are pretty thick, people are likely to step on you. Besides there's plenty more on other floats.

* Pay attention to packs of beads betting tossed, these are great when you get them, but watch out, they can hurt if they hit you. Saw that happen to someone next to me in a parade...ouch!

* Last, but not least, find out where the parade route ends, especially on parades that are in the early part of the day. The krewes may still have throws and they don't want to carry them around now. They'll gladly give you their stash.

If you ever go to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, relax and have fun, there's a lot to see and experience. The music, food, parades and culture are memorable. I think everyone should do it at least once in their life, there's nothing like it!

*** And make sure you have a bag for all the beads you're going to catch! :0)

Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

TheMardiGrasGirl.com



Support This Film Project Featuring New Orleans Marching Bands: The Whole Gritty City

The New Orleans  marching bands have been a part of not only the city's multi-faceted music history, but African American culture as well. The tradition of the brass bands go back well into the 1800's and have been the backdrop for practically everything New Orleans from parties to Mardi Gras parades to funerals. The brass bands have also been an integral part of college and high school campus life.

Within the New Orleans community the high school brass bands carry on the tradition in the midst of inner city violence and distress in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina's disruption. The creators of the independent documentary The Whole Gritty City is currently seeking funding for their film. The production shows the mentors of these students supporting these children by passing down a musical legacy. The importance of the tradition is not only in keeping the music of the brass bands alive through the next generation but also the children's character and spirits strong amidst the dramas they face.

 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE TRAILER!

  

Thanks for visiting. Please click here to help fund this project. Minimum pledge is only $1. They are almost halfway through to the $50,000 needed. All pledges must be received by October 10, 2012.


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

History Of The Zulu Social Aid And Pleasure Club

In the early 1900's a group of African American laborers created a Social or Benevolent Aid Society which eventually came to be called the Zulus. These organizations were set up for African American residents of New Orleans where they could pay dues in order to be able to arrange for funeral costs. These societies were known to offer them the earliest forms of insurance.

The Krewe of Zulu was originally created as a mockery of Rex, the King of Carnival, since African Americans were not included in these parades. The Zulu's first King, William Story, wore ragged clothes and a crown made out of a lard can while carrying a banana stalk scepter. He was accompanied by a quartet, and in 1915 they created their first parade floats.

The most famous King of the Krewe of Zulu was Louis Armstong in 1949, who participated in their first celebrity march.

Still the most popular of all the throws given out during Mardi Gras is the Zulu Coconut, also called the "Golden Nugget". The krewe started handing them out to the crowds around 1910, then in their natural furry state. Some years later they were scraped off and painted.

During the 1960's the krewe lost popularity since during the Civil Rights era the act of the Zulus parading in blackface and grass skirts was seen as demeaning to the African American community.  Many organizations protested against the krewe and their members began to dwindle.

The loyalty of the Zulu members has kept the organization alive. They have grown back in large numbers and are heavily involved in donating their time as well as funds to local schools and charities.

The Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club is the second oldest African American krewe and the oldest in the main Carnival Parade. The Krewe of Zulu consists of African American men from all walks of life and professions, from laborers to politicians and is known for it's many community contributions.

Click here to visit this site for more on the history of the Krewe of Zulu.

You can post any questions or comments below. Thanks for visiting!

Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl