Mardi Gras Indians

Mardi Gras Indians are African American carnival performers in New Orleans who parade in elaborate hand-sewn suits inspired by Native American ceremonial dress.

The tradition dates to the nineteenth century, honoring bonds between Black and Indigenous communities.

Organized into tribes with hierarchical titles—Big Chief, Spy Boy, Flag Boy—they gather on Mardi Gras and St.

Joseph's Day to display their beadwork and compete through call-and-response chants: The Big Chief won't bow down.