Carnival A-Z: Indian Red

Early in the morn of Carnival day in Central City or the Treme, one might here the sound of a Big Chief leading his tribe:

Mighty cooty fiyo

Here comes the Biiiig Chief, the Biiiig Chief, the Big Chief of the nation, the whole wild creation.

He won't bow down, not on that ground.

You know I love you, hear you call, my Indian Red.

This particular chant is one of many that the Mardi Gras Indians recite, but it stands apart from the others. This one is almost sacred. Nevertheless, the others are still integral to the fabric of Mardi Gras for the Mardi Gras Indians. These chants are integral to the Mardi Gras Indian culture, which is itself an inseparable part of African American Culture in New Orleans. The combination of the culture that includes these chants and a culture where music is an essential part of life produced a catalog of unique music. In the 1960’s several musicians arose combing the chants with the local music into this unique “Carnival Music.” The most recognizable name of these musicians is the Neville Brothers.

Many other types of music are also associated with Carnival though. There are the traditional songs from the balls, non-Indian African American music, music played by marching bands in the Parades, and even some music that would be best classified as fun little ditties.

So, when Carnival Season rolls around, I put on my Carnival playlist and get into the Carnival Spirit. If you’re looking to get into that same spirit, here are the songs I suggest:

The Staples of Carnival Music
Stop Inc. – The Second Line
Al “Carnival Time” Johnson – Carnival Time
The Wild Tchoupitoulas – Hey Pocky A-way
Professor Longhair – Big Chief
Professor Longhair – Go to the Mardi Gras
U.S. Marine Corps Band – South Rampart Street Parade
The Wild Tchoupitoulas – New Suit
The Wild Magnolias – New Suit
The Wild Magnolias – Handa Wanda
Benny Grunch and the Bunch – Ain’t No Place to Pee on Mardi Gras Day
any orchestral style band - Dixie
The Meters – Mardi Gras Mambo
Dr. John – Mardi Gras Day
The Dixie Cups – Iko
The Wild Tchoupitoulas – Indian Red
The Neville Brothers – Brother John/Iko
The Neville Brothers – Hey Pocky Way
If Ever I Cease to Love

Some Other Good Ones
The Wild Tchoupitoulas – Meet the Boys on the Battlefront
The Wild Magnolias – Meet the Boys on the Battlefront
The Wild Magnolias – Two Way Pak e Way
The Wild Magnolias – (My Big Chief Has A) Golden Crown
Rebirth Brass Band - Do Watcha Wanna
Benny Grunch and the Bunch – All Them Parades
Cowboy Mouth – Crazy Bout Ya
Cowboy Mouth – The Avenue

If there's anything you think I left out please feel free to say so in the comments.

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Brief history of Mardi Gras Indians...

http://www.mardigrasdigest.com/Sec_mgind/history.htm