Pictures of a Jazz Funeral in New Orleans today

[funkybutt]

New Orleans Louisiana,
RIP Big Chief "Tootie" (Allison "Tootie" Montana)


"Allison "Tootie" Montana, former longtime big chief of the Yellow Pocahontas gang of Mardi Gras Indians and the best-known exemplar of a uniquely New Orleans tradition, died Monday night at Charity Hospital after suffering an apparent heart attack while speaking at a New Orleans City Council hearing on police treatment of the Indians."
http://www.nola.com/search/index.ssf?/base/library-82/1...







More at my gallery (use the slideshow option)
http://www.magnjc.com:8000/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=album12&page=1

[Blue_In_AK]

1. Very cool. That's how I'd like my funeral to be. n/t

[F.Gordon]

2. I checked out your entire gallery

Incredible images of something I have to admit complete ignorance of. :dunce:

What is the significance of the Death Mask?

I like it when people give the story behind the photos. Gives a unique insight into them.

Cule...yet a bit depressing. My instructions for when I take the long nap is to be cooked and thrown out in the trash.

[funkybutt]

3. Here's some background

Here's more info about Jazz Funerals

http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/history/jazzfuneral.html

More about the Mardi Gras Indian culture:

http://www.louisianafolklife.org/LT/Articles_Essays/creole_art_mardi_indians.html

Tootie Montana was the Cheif of Cheifs. He died like only one other Chief in history ever has...with all his chiefs behind him. He was defending the culture of the Indians and how it has been disrespected by the NOPD at a city council meeting when he collapsed. He was sent off with much respect from the New Orleans community. He is responsible for guiding the Mardi Gras Indians from violence to peace. The Indian gangs no longer carry guns under their costumes and Tootie deserves much of the credit for this. He was a legend and a activist for peace.

On Mardi Gras morning the Indians debut their new suits. Each Indian creates a new suit every year. The skeletons were groups of african americans who would costume as skeletons in an attempt to "scare" the kids straight. The Skeletons talk to kids about staying out of trouble. They get in their face and try to encourage them to stay on the right track.