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March 22, 2007

New Orleans 2007 Mardi Gras Indians, a photo essay

My old friend Gallivan Burwell was a long time musician in Sonoma County and San Francisco. For the last twelve or so years he's been living in New Orleans. He sends these pictures of 2007 Mardi Gras Indians to let us know that the tradition of New Orleans Indian Street Parades struggles along despite the lack of help to the City of New Orleans.

Gallivan writes:

"With most of the Mardi Gras Indians scattered across the country, this year's Super Sunday was considerably smaller than in years past. Most of the tribes were represented by only a handful of their usual members. Also, there was only one gathering place this year, instead of two. In the past the uptown Indians have gathered at A.L. Davis (formerly Shakespeare) Park, and the downtown /mid-city Indians at Bayou St. John. This year the single gathering was held in Central City at Marcus Garvey (Taylor) Park because A.L. Davis is currently a FEMA trailer site. Recent 2nd line events have been marred by violence- there were shootings at last years uptown parade- but this year Super Sunday was peaceful, a uniquely New Orleans event on a lovely spring afternoon."

More on Mardi Gras Indians can be found here amd hereand here.

All photos copyright 2007 by Gallivan Burwell, all rights reserved. Permission to copy is not granted without prior permission.


The Parade







Fantastic Feathers





Closeup of the incredible beadwork that is worked on all year long




It's a part of the popular culture of the City of New Orleans

It's a family affair







Historically, there could be trouble between "tribes", sometimes not so historically trouble has happened among spectators and people marching and frolicking in the "second line" following the Mardi Gras Indians.

A sign about a previous incident a year earlier: "Abbe was already a touch nervous in Central City. When I pointed out this sign to her it didn't exactly help."

Posted by Rolfyboy6 at March 22, 2007 06:29 PM

Comments

Wonderful essay and photo array, as always, anything written or done by Gallivan Burwell is meticulous. I always remember why New Orleans was home and unique. Being displaced, thisjust showed another diehard and local secret that makes OUR city so special.

I look forward to more essays coming from OUR core of the city!!!!!

GREAT JOB

Posted by: LORNA NEHME at March 23, 2007 01:49 PM

Gallivan Burwell really seized the momemt with these marvelous photographs. And what a wonderful, unique moment in cultural history it was/is/will be. Thanks.

Posted by: Diana Smith at March 26, 2007 05:52 PM

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