Mardi Gras Indians Super Sunday 2016

Between Mardi Gras Indians’ Super Sunday, Congo Square Festival, the Class Got Brass battle of the bands, the Pelicans game and the live filming of Tyler Perry’s The Passion, they was plenty to do today but, for once, the choice was easy. The Indians’ elaborately hand-beaded and feathered suits, weighing up to 150 pounds, costing $3000 or more and taking up to a year to design, construct and bead are the most beautiful suits in the world. (For more about the history and traditions of the Indians, click HERE). The parade opened with the Hot 8 Brass Band and the Lady Buck Jumpers then became a stream of rich plumes and intricately beaded stories of the soul.

Tribes included the Golden Eagles, Mohawk Hunters, Golden Blades, Yellow Pocahontas, Black Feather and the Algiers Warriors. I spotted the familiar faces of Spyboy Dow and Big Chief Monk Boudreaux with his Baby Dolls (grown women in baby doll outfits) as well as some children I’ve been watching grow for 7 Super Sundays. And I spied NCIS: New Orleans star CCH Pounder in the crowd.

As the parade passed, we noticed the Single Men Social Aid & Pleasure Club second line parade forming down the street led by the Stooges Brass Band so we made our way to join them for a block or so. New Orleans is hip-deep in excuses to wear extravagant costumes (with Mardi Gras Day leading the way) but the craftsmanship, attention to detail, patience, creativity and expressive artistry it takes to make those dazzling suits blows me away year after year.