Today was the last day of Mardi Gras, a celebration that has been on my bucket list for years. And now, after recently stumbling upon the mysterious world of Mardi Gras Indians, a trip to New Orleans in late February has jumped to the top of the list. I mean, the elaborately handmade and powerfully colorful costumes are enough to want to witness the beauty in person. Mardi Gras Indian culture stems from a shared history and blood line between African Americans and Native Americans. It it believed that local Native American tribes sheltered runaway slaves and eventually, the two cultures merged. The various tribes, broken down by neighborhood, continue to carry on the tribute after nearly 200 years.
(photography by Charles Fréger)
Thanks for sharing the amazing and impressing costumes!
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com
The costumes are absolutely amazing, although a bit scary as well!
https://www.makeandmess.com/
So vibrant and so many feathers! It looks like Mardi Gras tribal culture meets vegas showgirl! I love it.
http://chenilleandchampagne.com/
As a Native American, I don’t know what to think.
woooooooow! love it!!!
kissess!
http://babylovesfashion.blogspot.hr/
Love this so much – brightened up my wintery day! Loved it so much I reblogged and linked to you of course 🙂
I enjoy reading your stories.
How does the word Indian figure into this? Seems very odd to me.
Wait does mardi gras mean various things? It’s very different to the one here in Sydney 🙂
Beautiful vibrant colors =o)
http://dreamofadventures.blogspot.com/
The origin of “Indian” within this culture comes from the historical connection between Native Americans and enslaved Africans throughout Louisiana, the former of whom frequently helped Africans escape to freedom and with whom they also intermarried. The culture is born out of the descendants of these individuals and is a celebration of their heritage. And they aren’t called “costumes,” they’re called suits. It’s a complicated history unique to the New Orleans population. And it is glorious.