Catalog - Black Indians

Description

Black Indians of New Orleans explores a unique African American carnival tradition that emerged in the 19th century on the fringes of the official carnival, which was historically reserved for white people.

The book highlights the richness and complexity of this festive culture, which is deeply rooted in the history of New Orleans and Louisiana. By identifying as "Black Indians," African American communities in working-class neighborhoods pay homage to Native American peoples, with whom they share a common history of oppression and resistance.

Through the iconic figures of the Big Chief, Big Queen, and Wild Man, participants reinvent spectacular rituals each year in the city's streets. Music, war chants, dances, and sumptuous costumes bear witness to exceptional creativity, rooted in precise codes passed down from generation to generation.

Blending history, identity, and performance, this book reveals the symbolic power and vibrant energy of a fascinating tradition, observed by both residents and researchers from around the world.