Due to the ominous weather forecast for Sunday, the Super Sunday Black Masking Indian march in Central City has been pushed back a week to March 24.
The annual parade is one of the most spectacular events on the Crescent City calendar. An age-old tradition, Indian masking symbolizes the interconnection of African and Native American cultures in the history of New Orleans.
The maskers create a new suit each year, composed of canvas patches decorated with intricate beadwork depicting wild west or wildlife themes, African symbolism, geometric abstractions and sometimes popular culture. The patches are surrounded by explosions of psychedelically colored feathers.
The suits and the particularly the feathers are vulnerable to rain, preventing parading in inclement weather.
Big Chief Derrick "Uptown" Hulin of the Golden Blades Mardi Gras Indians shows off his suit during Uptown Super Sunday near A.L. Davis Park in New Orleans on March 19, 2023. The annual gathering of Mardi Gras Indian tribes celebrates their heritage and culture in hand-sewn suits, singing, dancing and chanting.
Maskers only display their suits a few times each year, on Mardi Gras day, St. Joseph’s night (March 19), at special appearances such as the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and during Super Sunday parades in Central City, Mid-City/Treme and the West Bank.
Expected rainy weather also has postponed the Metairie Road St. Patrick's Day Parade to April 7, but the two-mile St. Patrick's Day Classic will move an hour earlier to 9 a.m.
