Mardi Gras Indians

"Mardi Gras Indians are secretive because only certain people participated in masking. In the old day, the Indians were violent; Indians would meet on Mardi Gras, it was a day to settle scores" -Larry Bannock, President of the New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian Council

Mardi Gras is full of secrets, and the Indians are just as much apart of that secret society. The Mardi Gras Indians are comprised of African American communities of the New Orleans inner city. They're paraded and marched together for over a century, but their parades are the least recognized in Mardi Gras tradition. This may be because their parades are not on any particular route, nor have a specific time, all of this is up to the Big Chief. 

Mardi Gras Indians named themselves after Native Indians to pay respect to them for their assistance in escaping the tyranny of slavery. Mardi Gras day is no longer a day to "settle scores", violence is now a relic of the past. It is now Mardi Gras tradition and practice for the Indians to simply compare their tribal song, dance and dress with other tribes as they all come together for the holiday. Each Indian has invested thousands of hours and dollars into the creation of their suit and they're not willing to risk it in a fight. This tradition is now appreciated by museums and historical societies all over the world.