Samba is right about everything, except one point: It's not Indians that dress up in Indian costumes for Mardi Gras, it's African Americans. Many slaves in the South found protection by escaping to Indian reservations. Today, African Americans commemorate the safety the reservations provided by dressing as Indians for Marti Gras. A "big chief" is selected to wear the big head-dress, a flag boy to carry the colors, and at least one spy-boy to check on the movements of the other tribes. Mock battles are performed through dancing and costume display.
Samba is right about everything, except one point: It's not Indians that dress up in Indian costumes for Mardi Gras, it's African Americans. Many slaves in the South found protection by escaping to Indian reservations. Today, African Americans commemorate the safety the reservations provided by dressing as Indians for Marti Gras. A "big chief" is selected to wear the big head-dress, a flag boy to carry the colors, and at least one spy-boy to check on the movements of the other tribes. Mock battles are performed through dancing and costume display.