The Mardi Gras Indian: Aesthetic Unity and Community

Abstract

People gathered before the home of Allison Montana on Mardi Gras day this year as they have for the last fifty years. They were waiting for Montana, better known as “Tootie” to his friends, to appear in this year’s new Mardi Gras Indian suit. Tootie has been given the honorary title of Big Chief of the Yellow Pocahontas Tribe because of the beauty of his work. He is the “prettiest” of them all, and he will parade through the streets of New Orleans for one day only. Like the chrysalis that becomes the beautiful butterfly emerging from its cocoon for a few moments of glory, this year’s suit will be made, worn, put away, and a new one begun. This is the way it has been for the last forty-nine years. But this year is different. Big Chief “Tootie” Montana is retiring and it is his son who will continue the tradition that began a century ago. The son, however, will have to earn the title of Big Chief on his own as his father had done.