Uploaded April 2013 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
To read more about the traditions of the Mardi Gras Indians in New Orleans, Louisiana, go to holeinthedonut.com/2013/04/30/mardi-gras-indians-new-orleans-louisiana/, and if you enjoyed this video, please consider subscribing to my YouTube channel.
Members of the Mardi Gras Indian tribes are African Americans - not Native Americans as the name would imply. They refer to themselves as Indians out of respect for Native Americans who sheltered runaway slaves, saving them from capture or even death. Once each year the Big Chief of each Mardi Gras Indian tribe dons a headdress with mock braids and full-length costume that he alone has sewn by hand, affixing up to a million beads, sequins, and rhinestones. Costumes can weigh more than 100 pounds, cost thousands of dollars and can take up to a year to complete, yet each costume is worn only once. The Mardi Gras Indians traditions are rooted in New Orleans history and to a great degree, are still shrouded in mystery. Luckily, I got the inside scoop from Tauck Tours, which had invited me to join their annual Jazz Event in New Orleans. They surprised our group with a special demonstration of the posturing that goes on between chiefs, followed by dancing second line in the parking lot.
To read more about the traditions of the Mardi Gras Indians in New Orleans, Louisiana, go to holeinthedonut.com/2013/04/30/mardi-gras-indians-new-orleans-louisiana/, and if you enjoyed this video, please consider subscribing to my YouTube channel.
Members of the Mardi Gras Indian tribes are African Americans - not Native Americans as the name would imply. They refer to themselves as Indians out of respect for Native Americans who sheltered runaway slaves, saving them from capture or even death. Once each year the Big Chief of each Mardi Gras Indian tribe dons a headdress with mock braids and full-length costume that he alone has sewn by hand, affixing up to a million beads, sequins, and rhinestones. Costumes can weigh more than 100 pounds, cost thousands of dollars and can take up to a year to complete, yet each costume is worn only once. The Mardi Gras Indians traditions are rooted in New Orleans history and to a great degree, are still shrouded in mystery. Luckily, I got the inside scoop from Tauck Tours, which had invited me to join their annual Jazz Event in New Orleans. They surprised our group with a special demonstration of the posturing that goes on between chiefs, followed by dancing second line in the parking lot.
