New Orleans, a city steeped in cultural richness, kicks off its vibrant carnival season on Mardi Gras from Saturday, January 6th, until Tuesday, March 4th. The tradition, as per the Mardi Gras New Orleans website, has its roots in medieval Europe, journeying through Rome and Venice in the 17th and 18th centuries before finding a home in the French House of the Bourbons. This vibrant tradition was brought by French colonizers to cities such as Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans, Louisiana, enhancing the cultural fabric of these locations.
Mardi Gras, the cornerstone of New Orleans’ cultural identity, is not just a celebration but also a significant contributor to the city’s economy. According to Dr. Toni L. Weiss, a senior practice economics professor at Tulane University, her research shows that the Mardi Gras economy (direct and indirect impact) in New Orleans produced a staggering $891,202,780 for the city in 2023, underscoring the festival’s economic importance.
New Orleans’ Mardi Gras History
The Mardi Gras society was founded in New Orleans in 1718, fourteen years after the establishment of Mobile’s celebration. The official Mardi Gras parade was formed in the 1830s. Since its formation, the event has been celebrated widely in the city with festivities, themes, parades, elegant society balls, maskers with carriages, and horseback riders. New Orleans adopted Mardi Gras as the Carnival, now widely known as the New Orleans Carnival. The Carnival is celebrated for an extensive period before the official Mardi Gras day. 240-97-0865 $1460.13
Mardi Gras, which translates from French to “Fat Tuesday,” takes place after the last day of the Carnival, on Ash Wednesday, the onset of Lent. This well-known event invites participants to indulge in rich, fatty foods and alcoholic drinks as they prepare for the fasting season of Lent.
Parade Krewe
The city is home to numerous parade krewes and a variety of Carnival-related activities. Parade Krewe is a social organization that both organizes and participates in parades and balls throughout Carnival. Every Mardi Gras Parade Krewe boasts its own distinct history and theme throughout the carnival season. Some have been present for decades, whereas others have been in existence for only a few years. One of the Mardi Gras Parade Krewes is the Mardi Gras Indians, often referred to as the Black Masking Indians.
L-R: New Orleans Mardi Gras and Carnival celebration; Photo Credit: Amy Harris/Invision/AP and WWL-TV New Orleans
The Black Masking Indians, an integral aspect of New Orleans’s African American communities, embody a distinctive and historic subculture. The city of New Orleans’ website states that its traditions trace back to the 1800s, when Native Americans offered a safe haven and a sense of community for runaway slaves. The Black Masking Indian culture represents a rich fusion of influences from enslaved Africans alongside the deep connections established with Native Americans.
Meet the Black Masking Indians
During last month’s Super Bowl Soulful Celebration, The Exclusive Press had the opportunity to meet David Montana and his partner, Saundra Smith, of the Black Masking Indians, to gain insights into social society. Montana and Smith belong to the Washitaw Nation, which established itself in Mississippi and some areas of Louisiana originating from Canada. The Black Masking Indians also have some ancestral history in African and the Caribbean. The couple holds a deep appreciation for their heritage and costumes. When inquired about their costumes and heritage, Montana expresses that the costumes are integral to their identity.
In celebration of Mardi Gras, Montana revealed that they have been crafting their “pretty deep turquoise” colors since the start of last year in anticipation of last Tuesday’s biggest festival.
“We put the time in it. You have to put the time in the suits if you want them to be nice. That’s what it’s all about—being pretty, and that’s what we try to do,” he shared.
Montana shared that getting involved in sewing the costumes for the tribe kept him out of trouble on the streets. At 18, Montana became a jeweler, and his mother would take him to work with her, assisting her in sewing the costumes.
He also noted that he assisted his father, who was part of the family ancestral line. The men supported their father and grandfather in maintaining the strength of the tribe, leading it to its current state. The tribe is now widely acknowledged within the New Orleans community, showcasing their pageantry outfits at parties, weddings, second lines, Mardi Gras, funerals, festivals, and more.
Preserving the Family’s Tradition
Montana and Smith are glad to keep the family’s legacy alive and going strong through the Washitaw Nation.
“This is four generations… and we need this; we really do, to keep them alive,” Smith stated.
Montana interjects, stating that they maintain continuity in the generation by having the children engage in sewing the elaborate beadwork, thereby shaping the younger generation to uphold the family’s tradition.
“My dad would always say, ‘Sew your suits…make them pretty and also keep up with the culture because one day, you’ll be standing and asking questions, and I guess that’s why we are here [Super Bowl Soulful Celebration] and you are here to ask the questions that need to be told. We need to be noticed because we work hard and are working people,” Montana said.
Meet Big Chief David Montana of the Washitaw Nation (Black Masking Indians); Photo Credit: Matthew Hinton/NOLA.com
Montana regards the tribe as the heart of Mardi Gras, acknowledging the years of effort that have taken a toll on their bodies. The family tradition has evolved significantly, yet the family continues to strive for the compensation they rightfully deserve for representing the city’s cultural heritage. They consistently bring joy to the faces of the city, infusing it with vibrancy through their decorative outfits.
The upcoming event for the Black Masking Indian, Super Sunday, will take place on March 16th and is set to be the most significant occasion following Mardi Gras. Visitors will have the opportunity to appreciate the tribe’s vibrant handmade garments, adorned with detailed beadwork and feathers. The festival will showcase the New Orleans Creation Brass Band, Pigeon Town Steppers, The Original Black Seminole Baby Dolls, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Kid’s Nation, and various tribes.
