"We Won't Bow down: " Mardi Gras Indian Performance and Cultural Mediation

• Other Authors: Kight, Jaime (authoraut)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: Dance
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-6365

New Orleans, Louisiana is home to many secret Mardi Gras organizations, known as krewes, which represent both elite and working-class members of society. Acting on behalf of working-class African Americans, a group known as the Mardi Gras Indians parade through the streets of predominately black neighborhoods on Mardi Gras day. As they march, Indian men craft a performance culture that exhibits dances, costumes, and music unlike any other Carnival organization. Black Indian men use their parades to cultivate a self-defined identity, avouch agency, and enact communal bonds within a city that remains largely divided by social class. This is their story. === A Thesis submitted to the School of Dance in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts. === Spring Semester, 2011. === March 29, 2011. === Includes bibliographical references. === Tricia Young, Professor Directing Thesis; Sally Sommer, Committee Member; Douglass Corbin, Committee Member; Jennifer Atkins, Committee Member.