This past Tuesday was Mardi Gras, the culmination of the Carnival season celebrated throughout the world, but specifically associated in North America with one of my favorite places, New Orleans. Everyone knows about the floats and the masks. Less well-known outside of the Crescent City, though, are the traditions of the Mardi Gras Indians, African-American social clubs whose members craft incredibly intricate costumes and face off in music and dance battles across the city (if you visit NOLA, definitely check out the Backstreet Cultural Museum for more about the Indians). 79rs Gang is a group made up of members of two different tribes, showcasing the unique musical styles of this tradition.
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