The Culture and History of the Mardi Gras Indians of New Orleans
It is not uncommon in the United States to see brightly colored statues of American Indians at old dime stores, antique shops and in tourists areas. But Indians have a different meaning here in New Orleans-the idea of the Indian(click) has been interwoven into the culture of the city and the Mardi Gras Parade(click). Now you may wonder, just how did that happen? It is an interesting and rich tale.
During the time of slavery in the deep South, often if the conditions were horrible enough, slaves would take the risk to escape. The American Indians (Choctaw) of the area would take them in and hide them. The African Americans never forgot this kindness. Also if African Americans claimed some indian heritage they were treated differently. At one point African Americans could not be a part of the Mardi Gras parade, but indians could. So to be a part of the parade and to form their own Mardi Gras Krewes, they claimed to be indian and paid respect to their indian brothers who had protected them.
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| Indian Statue Outside Store on Magazine Street photo by elizabeth gordon |
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| American Indian Statue on Magazine Street New Orleans photo by elizabeth gordon |
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| Detail of statue Photo by elizabeth gordon |
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| Detail of statue photo by elizabeth gordon |
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| Detail of statue photo by elizabeth gordon |
During the time of slavery in the deep South, often if the conditions were horrible enough, slaves would take the risk to escape. The American Indians (Choctaw) of the area would take them in and hide them. The African Americans never forgot this kindness. Also if African Americans claimed some indian heritage they were treated differently. At one point African Americans could not be a part of the Mardi Gras parade, but indians could. So to be a part of the parade and to form their own Mardi Gras Krewes, they claimed to be indian and paid respect to their indian brothers who had protected them.
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