Mardi Gras Indians embrace New Orleans community during St. Joseph’s Day festivities

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Queen Rukiya of the Creole Wild West Tribe says she spent months on her bright pink suit covered in butterflies and caterpillars, which she says represent the constant metamorphosis of New Orleans.

“COVID we went into a cocoon. Ida, we went into a cocoon, and we always come out to rumble, and we do,” Rukiya said.

Dozens of Indians took to the streets in their elaborate suits to celebrate St. Joseph’s Day, Tuesday, March 19, with dancing, chanting and celebration.

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“It’s another opportunity for them to come out and show their suit from all their work. You have the Super Sundays. You have Mardi Gras and this is another opportunity, another tradition, to come out and meet and show off their suit,” said Mardi Gras Indian Council Assistant Director Michael Farley.

This day traces back to the 19th century. It is one of the only nights of the year where Indians from different tribes across the city come to celebrate together. For Rukiya, who has been a part of her tribe for a little over a decade, it’s been nothing short of magic.

“The masking, the songs, the chants. It lifts up the spirits. It’s the drumming and we put our hearts and souls into this,” Queen Rukiya said.

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To those who come out to watch, she says she hopes to give them a show each year that they’ll never forget.

“I hope they have a wonderful time. I hope the kids see us and we get to hold them and take pictures with them and talk to them and see the culture of all the nations and all the people who love New Orleans who are in this culture, the culture bearers,” she said.

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