NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Mardi Gras is the largest Carnival celebration in the northeastern hemisphere and the result the contributions of many different cultures. Black Masking Indians helped to bring inclusion of African Americans to a segregated Mardi Gras.
In 1703, people in what is now Mobile, Alabama celebrated the first Mardi Gras. New Orleans was founded in 1718 and by the 1730s, Mardi Gras was becoming largely associated with New Orleans and not Mobile.
Over the years, Carnival organizations were not inclusive and all-white. African Americans, after slavery, were not allowed into the public parades or krewes as members. African Americans, during this time, were only permitted to pull Mardi Gras floats or carry flambeaux to light night parades.
Enslaved Africans who ran away to freedom were called “Maroons.” Some Black Masking Indians today also call themselves “Maroons” out of this tradition. One of the most widely believed histories of Black Masking Indian origins explains that some Native American helped Black people escape. To honor Native Americans, African American Black Masking Indians began the practice of masking.
“We were paying homage to Native Americans who helped us during slavery,” explains Eric Burt, the Drum Chief of the Monogram Hunters Black Masking Indians.
Over the years, African Americans in Mardi Gras continued to fight. By 1909, the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club was established. By 1973, Zulu became the first krewe to integrate. In 1992, Councilwoman Dorothy Mae Taylor presented an ordinance demanding that krewes of Mardi Gras that used city services for parading have an open admission policy that doesn’t discriminate against Black people, women, the LGBTQ community and other minorities.
Since the beginning of Mardi Gras, Carnival was celebrated in Black communities, apart from the larger celebrations. Since the beginning of Mardi Gras, Black Masking Indians were there to help the Black community of New Orleans celebrate.
“Historically, the only thing African Americans could do was carry the flambeaux and pick up trash and horse feces off the street. We weren’t allowed to participate in Mardi Gras, so we had to create our own Carnival day,” explains Burt.
Dow Edwards is the Big Chief of the Timbuktu Warriors and said, “we wanted to celebrate in our own neighborhoods. That was a way for us to have our own celebrations in what we called the ‘Black Carnival Experience.'”
In 2005, the legendary masking Indian Chief Allison “Tootie” Montana, stood up against a clash with law enforcement, who broke up a gathering of Black Masking Indians. Mardi Gras is for everyone and the effects from Chief Montana’s courage further boldened that statement.
Although Black Masking Indians have been part of Louisiana since the beginning, the points of origin can be as countless as the stiches of an Indian suit. Some have contemporary criticism with Black Masking Indian culture, believing it is an appropriation of Native American culture. However, long before the colonialization of North America, there was a tradition of masking and dancing in many ethnic groups in Africa.
Masking tradition traveled to the United States with the enslaved. Masking tradition also traveled to other places in the Western Hemisphere, like Brazil and Haiti and melded with their indigenous communities, where similar Carnival celebrations continue today. Likewise, some Black Masking Indians in New Orleans have mixed Native American and African ethnic ancestry.
“All those other countries celebrate in an eerily similar fashion to what we do. We all share an afro-centric nature,” explains Edwards.
Lydia Blackmore is The Historic New Orleans Collection’s Decorative Arts Curator and says, “the masking tradition comes all the way from Africa. Dancing and masking happened in Congo Square throughout New Orleans’ history. The practice as we know it is first in the historical record in the 1880s. The earliest known photograph of Black Masking Indians is in 1915, where Indians are parading down Claiborne and Canal streets.”
Another origin story of the Black Masking Indians is contested by many Indians themselves. In 1884, the Buffalo Bill Wild West show came to New Orleans. Many attended the show, including Black people. The Native Americans depicted in the show were plains Native Americans with big headdresses. Some believe this historical example is why some Black Masking Indian tribes in New Orleans have large vibrant headdresses.
The Black Masking Indian history that is accepted widely today, points toward West African traditions of celebrating and masking which was married with similar Native American traditions. This history predates the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show of 1884.
Each explanation for why Black Masking Indians came to be only makes them more regal, mythic and as real as the tangible feathers that adorn their suits.
