The Mardi Gras Indians

The Mardi Gras Indians are a New Orleans tradition rooted in the city's Black neighborhoods, born of a cultural bond between African American and Native American communities and reaching back to the 19th century. Members spend much of the year hand-sewing extraordinary feathered and beaded suits, which they reveal in the streets on Mardi Gras Day and at other gatherings through the spring.

This is living community culture, not a show staged for tourists. If you're lucky enough to encounter it, watch respectfully: give the procession room, follow the lead of the community, and always ask before photographing people up close.

We're keeping this short on purpose. We'd rather link you to community voices than paraphrase them - a fuller, source-led guide is in progress.