In Conversation with Big Chiefs: Traditions and Music of Mardi Gras Indians 

In a rare gathering, New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian chiefs tell the story of masking traditions through their lived experience. The conversation, moderated by Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes, addresses the origins of Black masking traditions and the history of each of the chiefs’ tribes, the year-round community responsibilities of a chief, and the future of the Mardi Gras Indians. Next, the program dives into Mardi Gras Indian music, exploring how each gang performs traditional chants. The program culminates in a performance by the 79rs Gang, a group founded by two young chiefs from opposing gangs who came to together and updated Mardi Gras Indian songs with New Orleans funk and hip hop.
FEATURING
Big Chief Jermaine Bossier
Big Chief Romeo Bougere
Big Chief Clarence "Delco" Dalcour
Big Chief Victor Harris
Moderator: Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes
and
Efrem Z. Boles
Tariq Harris
Eric Heigle
Edwin Mayo
Kelly Pearson
Wesley P. Phillips
Jack Robertson
The Historic New Orleans Collection acknowledges that the land upon which the city of New Orleans sits has been, and is known as, Bulbancha, a Choctaw word for “a place of other languages.” We would also like to acknowledge the indigenous history of New Orleans, where our organization and the Toulouse Theatre are located, and strive to bring awareness of the real lived history of Indigenous peoples and nations who have inhabited this area. Please visit Native Land Digital’s website for more information: native-land.ca...
FURTHER READING and RESOURCES
Backstreet Cultural Museum
www.backstreet...
“From the Kingdom of Kongo to Congo Square: Kongo Dances and the Origins of Mardi Gras Indians” Jeroen Dewulf (2017)
Guardians Institute, home of the Donald Harrison, Sr. Museum and Legacy Performance Pavilion
www.guardiansin...
“Indian Traditions at Mardi Gras” Native America Calling podcast with Art Hughes featuring Big Queen Mary Kay Stevenson with the Original Wild Tchoupitoulas Indians, Lora Ann Chaisson, tribal council for the United Houma Nation, and Dr. Jeffrey Darensbourg, Alligator Band Council Member of the Atakapa Ishak Nation (2019)
www.nativeamer...
“Mardi Gras Indians, a story” African American Registry (2022)
aaregistry.org...
Neighborhood Story Project
www.neighborho...
ABOUT THE SYMPOSIUM The Historic New Orleans Collection presents The 26th Williams Research Center Symposium Months before the scent of fresh king cake, the glow of flambeaux, and the driving beat of marching bands fill New Orleans, artists, makers, and culture bearers across the city are planning, designing, and building. Their inspiration, hard work, and collaboration result in awe-inspiring creations. Much more than just a celebration, Carnival and its rich, diverse, and complicated history invite the world to our streets.
This year’s Williams Research Center Symposium, presented in conjunction with the exhibition Making Mardi Gras, celebrates the makers who carry the history and traditions forward, who shape their evolution, and who, every year, bring us “The Greatest Free Show on Earth.” This year's event is generously sponsored by Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World and Kern Studios. Please visit www.hnoc.org/s... for the full schedule.
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