UPDATE:
Interview with Golden Start Hunters Big Chief Larry Bannock.
From the archives of Producer/Director Jim Gabour. Copyright 2012.
Jim Gabour has made some of his vintage Indian video available via his YouTube Channel.
Beautiful stuff. Thanks, Jim!
•••••
The Music Industry Studies Program at Loyola University – New Orleans presents “Jockomo-fee-nahnay,” a forum about the history of the Mardi Gras Indians, at 5:00 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012 in Nunemaker Auditorium in Monroe Hall. Convened by Jim Gabour, professor of video technology, the forum will feature never-before-seen footage of some of New Orleans’ most legendary Indian tribes. The event is free and open to the public.
Jim Gabour is an award-winning film producer and director whose work focuses on music and the diversity of cultures. He began shooting interviews with and action footage of Mardi Gras Indians in the late 1970s.
In celebration of the Mardi Gras season, Gabour will screen and discuss clips including a 1986 interview on beading and suit-making with Bo Dollis, Big Chief of the Wild Magnolias; a “meeting of the tribes” at Tipitina’s in 1985 with the Big Chiefs of the Wild Magnolia, Golden Eagle, and Creole Wild West; and the Wild Magnolias performing with the Neville Brothers at the 1984 World’s Fair jazz and gospel tent.The forum will also feature footage of street runs, performances and interviews with three different chiefs of Wild Tchoupitoulas between 1978 and 1984, including Big Chief Jolly, the late George Landry.
More information about the forum via the Loyola University Newsroom
Showing posts with label video. Show all posts
Showing posts with label video. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
VIDEO: Mandingo Warriors Big Chief Victor Harris is crowdsourcing his 2012 suit via Kickstarter
Video by AXEL KAPPES
From the "Beads for the Chief" project Kickstarter page:
Every year, New Orleans' Mardi Gras Indians make and wear a "new suit." These are elaborately decorated, fantastically feathered costumes generally somewhat reminiscent of the attire of Native Americans, as seen on the HBO series "Treme." Big Chief Victor Harris and his Tribe, the Mandingo Warriors, are distinctive: they mask in an African style.
Many thousands of hours and dollars are required to create these works of art. When completed, they may be valued at $50,000 or even more. Many people donate their time and energy to help with the sewing, but funds are needed to purchase beads, feathers, and other supplies. It's hard to find the money in today's economy.
The Chief and his Tribe also work hard to keep the young people of the city off the mean streets, providing school supplies, sewing classes and mentoring. The video tells the story: sewing, masking, performing, and teaching the culture to young people.This is an endangered tradition. Many Indians, among thousands of others, have been unable to return to New Orleans since the flood following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Victor Harris didn't miss even one Mardi Gras. He has masked every year for 47 years. Let’s help him make it 48!
The Chief's New Suit is dedicated this year to the memory of Mandingo Warrior Collins "Coach" Lewis, who was the Chief's spiritual brother and friend, a cultural warrior, artist, teacher, drummer, and soulful singer. He had sewn with the Chief for all 47 years before passing unexpectedly this fall. We miss you, Coach!