Mardi Gras Indians

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of one black and white 8 x 10 photograph taken by New Orleans-based photographer Matt Anderson of poet and playwright Tom Dent and Mardi Gras Indian chief Allison "Tootie" Montana. The photograph was taken on Mardi Gras 1998.

Scope and Contents The papers of Tom Dent provide a rich documentary source in the areas of African American literature and theater, the Civil Rights Movement, and the society and culture of New Orleans. The collection encompasses 149 linear feet of correspondence, literary manuscripts, oral history interviews, photographs, financial records, and memorabilia generated by one of New Orleans' most treasured poets, playwrights, and oral historians. Dent was a prolific writer of letters, poetry, and...

Scope and Contents

The Guardians of the Flame is a Mardi Gras Indian Tribe in New Orleans, Louisiana, that was formed in 1988 and made its debut on February 7, 1989. The founding Big Chief of the tribe was Donald Harrison Sr. The collection includes a booklet about the group, a poster of Donald Harrison Jr, an audiocassette by Harrison Jr. entitled "Indian Blues," and a videocassette documentary about the tribe.

Content Description The family papers of long-time Mardi Gras Indian, Big Chief Donald Harrison, Sr. mainly consists of ephemeral items, such as posters, announcements and flyers, invitations and programs, certificates, and promotional publications covering lectures and performances by Donald Harrison, Sr., and the Guardians of the Flame Mardi Gras Indians. Additionally, performances and promotional materials for his son, Saxophonist Donald Harrison, Jr., and his grandson, Trumpeter Christian Scott are...

Scope and Contents Maurice Martinez Jr. was born to Mildred and Maurice Martinez Sr. in New Orleans, Louisiana. He attended Xavier University in New Orleans and the University of Michigan. In addition to being a successful poet, musician, and filmmaker, he was a professor at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. In 1976, he directed the documentary The Black Indians of New Orleans. He hosted North Carolina Blues Notes, a public radio program. Since the 1970s and...

Content Description

This oral interview of Allison "Tootie" Montana was conducted by Brenda Square of the Amistad Research Center in 2001. The interview consist of the history of the Mardi Gras Indians of New Orleans. Also included are photographs of Montana.

Content Description This collection includes 59 audiocassette tape interviews with 27 Louisiana-based musicians across multiple genres, including jazz, zydeco, classical, R&B, and Mardi Gras Indian traditions. The collection was formed out of a project funded by NOJHF and coordinated by Tom Dent from 1983-1988. The Foundation donated the collection to Amistad prior to the formation of its own archives.Interviewees include Placide Adams, Alvin Alcorn, Morris Ardoin, Danny Barker, Alvin Batiste,...

Scope and Contents The papers of California native and New Orleans-based photographer Christopher Porche West contain photographs, printed ephemera, correspondence, news clippings and other collected items that document West's interest in the history and culture of New Orleans' African American and Creole communities. The strengths of the West papers are the numerous prints of photographs taken by West, as well as the collection of materials formed by him as part of his research on the history and...