Mardi Gras Indians: A dazzling New Orleans tradition

On Mardi Gras day in New Orleans, the streets come alive with the dazzling processions of Mardi Gras Indians, also known as Black Masking Indians. These revelers march in resplendent suits, meticulously crafted over the course of a year and adorned with beads, feathers, and rhinestones.

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The makers of the suits work on them all year long for the display on Mardi Gras day. And they are elaborate, and meticulous, and colorful, and beautiful.

The suits worn by the Big Chiefs, the leaders of the various tribes, are particularly impressive. Correspondent Bill Whitaker described them as "elaborate, and meticulous, and colorful, and beautiful."

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I tell the people the story of the alligator, and how we lived, and how he took care of us, and fed us… clothes, shoes. And he is a sacred symbol of Louisiana.

Beyond the Big Chiefs, other members play crucial roles. Elenora Brown, or Big Queen Rukiya of the Golden Eagles tribe, showcased her sea green suit, featuring intricate beadwork, feathers, and rhinestone alligators. She explained the alligator as a "sacred symbol of Louisiana" that historically provided sustenance.

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I'm pretty much the eyes of the tribe. I'm the first person that runs into anybody. So if anybody's comin' with trouble, I'm supposed to sense that and know what's coming in contact with our tribe.

When tribes parade, their goal is to find other tribes for a ceremonial showdown. Key figures like the spy boy, flag boy, and wild man help manage the procession and clear the way for the Big Chiefs' competition to determine the "prettiest" tribe. J'Wan Boudreaux, a spy boy for the Golden Eagles, described his role as the "eyes of the tribe," responsible for sensing potential trouble and communicating with the group using secret hand signals. Marwan Pleasant, a flag boy, uses his flag to relay information to the Big Chief. Askia Bennett, a wild man, ensures space is cleared for the Big Chiefs' confrontation, emphasizing the need for "space for my big chief and my tribe."

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I would send a signal to the back to let the big chief know what's going on.