WHO ARE THE CARNIVAL INDIANS?
Also known as Mardi Gras Indians, they are tribes of New Orleanians who mask and
parade in intricate, hand-beaded suits during Carnival. “We are connected to the
Caribbean parts of the world — Haiti, Cuba, Trinidad — all these different places
have carnival,” says Montana. “But we are also very connected to the native Black
Indians, all the way up in Canada to all the way down in Monroe, Louisiana.”
HOW ARE THEY RELATED TO NATIVE AMERICANS?
“We pay homage to the Native Americans, because they’re
the ones that started it all,” says Montana. “When the slaves
came and were freed by Lincoln, a lot of them ran to the swamps
because they weren’t really free. They ran to people who looked
like them, in an area that looked like where they had come from
— and they meet all these native people of the city, and they marry,
and they make children. And there are nations of Black Indians that
are still around, like (our namesake), the Ouachita people of Louisiana.”
HOW ARE THE SUITS MADE?
According to Montana, each suit is a year in the making, with anywhere
from 10 to 15 hours spent working on the suit each day. “These suits are
carefully hand-beaded — one bead at a time,” says Montana. “And you come
up with your own ideas (for the suits). As a kid, you learn so much about
the culture, the beadwork, the wrapping of the feathers, the different designs
that we use. And with each one, teach one — that’s how you keep it going. A lot
of spirit is in that suit. And when you put these suits on, it’s a transformation.”
