Mardi Gras Indians

The Mardi Gras Indians are divided into over 50 "tribes" that march on Fat Tuesday, St. Joseph's Night (March 19), or on a "Super Sunday" in March. Their handsewn constumes are masterpieces of beading and feathers, and take an entire year to make. In 2005, as in other years, the Indians parade in the neighborhoods of New Orleans, near Shakespeare Park, Armstrong Park, or the Backstreet Cultural Museum at 1116 St. Claude Ave. At this Museum in Treme, a history of the Indians and costumes of former chiefs are displayed. My favorite saying from one of the "prettiest" chiefs some years ago is "I'm mean but I'm clean." You figure it out!