Many of the following scholars and culture bearers (dancers, writers, baby dolls, culinary artists, activists, and members of Mardi Gras/ Black masking Indian tribes and skull and bone gangs), along with their organizations, offer publications and on-going programs for a range of audiences that present the history and significance of Congo Square. When available, links to websites are provided for contact information.
For references on these practices, see “Additional Sources” at the conclusion of each entry under the heading “Cultural Practices” as well as the publications and video-taped presentations from the Scholars and Culture Bears listed here.
- Musicians / Dancers / Actors / Baby Dolls
- Spiritual Leaders, Activists, Writers, Culinary Artists
- Brass Bands, Social Aid, & Pleasure Clubs
- National / International Cultural Bearers
- Scholars
- Mardi Gras Indian Tribes and Members
Ausettua Amor Amenkum, dancer (New Orleans, LA) - Kumbuka African Dance and Drum Company
Tyrone “Trombone Shorty”Andrews, musician, composer (New Orleans, LA)
Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes, musician (New Orleans, LA)
Damon J. Batiste, musician, producer, cultural activist (New Orleans, LA)
David Batiste, Sr. , musician, performer, band leader (New Orleans, LA)
Monk Boudreaux , big chief, musician, recording artist (New Orleans, LA)
Mariama Curry, dancer, educator (New Orleans, LA)
Michelle Gibson , dancer, choreographer, cultural ambassador (Dallas, TX / New Orleans)
Luther Gray, drummer, cultural activist (New Orleans, LA)
Tyrone “Brother T” Henry , drummer, herbalist, entrepreneur (New Orleans, LA)
Chakula Cha Jua, actor, playwright, producer (New Orleans, LA)
Janice Kimble, baby doll (New Orleans, LA)
Merline Kimble, baby doll (New Orleans, LA)
Kia Knight , dancer, educator (New Orleans, LA)
Karen Kaia Livers, actress, educator (New Orleans, LA)
Julie Menhatti , dancer, entrepreneur, activist (New Orleans, LA)
Monique Moss, dancer, educator (New Orleans, LA)
Tommye Myrick , actor, director, producer (New Orleans, LA)
Jamilah Peters Muhammad , dancer, activist (New Orleans, LA)
Kamau Wesley Phillips , drummer, masking Indian (New Orleans, LA)
Shannon Powell, master drummer, band leader, educator (New Orleans, LA)
Herlin Riley, master drummer, cultural ambassador (New Orleans, LA)
Bill Summers, musician, author (New Orleans, LA)
Wynton Marsalis, musician (New York/New Orleans, LA)
Dr. Michael White, musician, historian, educator (New Orleans, LA)
Na’imah Zulu , dancer, producer, entrepreneur (New Orleans, LA)
Niya Zulu, dancer, educator, stilt walker (New Orleans, LA/New York)
Shaka Zulu, percussionist, producer, big chief of Golden Feather Hunters (New Orleans, LA)
Denise Augustine, tour guide, educator (New Orleans, LA)
Malik Bartholomew, tour guide, cultural activist (New Orleans, LA)
Carol Bebelle, poet, filmmaker, songwriter (New Orleans, LA)
James Borders, author, arts administrator, editor (New Orleans, LA)
Frederick “Hollywood” Delahoussaye, poet, educator, producer (New Orleans, LA)
Divine Prince Ty Emmecca, priest, activist (New Orleans, LA)
Asali DeVan Ecclesiastes, administrator, poet, author, activist (New Orleans, LA)
Sula Janet Evans, priestess, instructor of African songs (New Orleans, LA)
Denise Graves, spiritual leader, educator (New Orleans, LA)
Cherice Harrison, big queen, educator, community organizer, activist (New Orleans, LA)
Hearrest Harrison, community activist, literacy advocate (New Orleans, LA)
Ernest Johnson, community organizer, cultural activist (New Orleans, LA)
Kalinda Laveaux, voodoo priestess, singer (New Orleans, LA)
Brenda Marie Osbey, poet laureate of Louisiana, professor (New Orleans)
Zella Palmer, food historian, educator (New Orleans, LA)
Sunni Patterson, poet, author, activist (New Orleans, LA)
Kalamu ya Salaam, writer, publisher (New Orleans, LA)
Mona Lisa Saloy, poet laureate of Louisiana, professor (New Orleans, LA)
Jerome Smith, activist, advocate, community organizer (New Orleans, LA)
Yeye Luisah Teish, author, spiritual leader, keynote speaker (California/Diaspora)
Barbara Trevigne, researcher, cultural activist, spiritual leader (New Orleans, LA)
Jennifer Turner, cultural activist, literary critic (New Orleans, LA)
Vera Warren Williams , cultural activist, entrepreneur (New Orleans, LA)
The sights and sounds of brass bands are iconic components of New Orleans culture and are critical to the continued perpetuation of indigenous practices – most of which received direct influence from the gatherings in Congo Square. Brass bands are the backbone of local parades for jazz funerals, social aid and pleasure club second lines, festivals, conferences, weddings, parties and even Mardi Gras Indian Super Sunday events. Consequently, the demand for brass bands is high and the offerings range from grassroots groups that originated in churches, schools, neighborhoods and among friends to those that are considered professional – whether they play traditional, contemporary or a mixture of musical styles. Social aid and pleasure clubs (SAPC) are organized groups in the African American community that provide financial, social, and recreational support for their members and communities. They are best known for their annual parades, which take place on Sunday afternoons during the 10-month period from late August to May. Decked from head to toe in color-coordinated finery and matching accessories, SAPC members lead their hand-picked brass bands along their pre-planned routes through the streets of the city. Below is a list of some of the popular brass bands in New Orleans and links to their websites as well as a list of social aid and pleasure clubs that paraded from the 1997-98 – 2022-23 seasons.
Brass Bands
To Be Continued (TBC) Brass Band
Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews & Orleans Avenue
New Orleans Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs
Avenue Steppers
Big Nine
Black Men of Labor
Calliope High Steppers
Chosen Few
Devastation
Devastating Ladies
Double Nine
Dumaine Street Gang
Family Ties
Fazio Steppers
Golden Trumpets
Good Fellas
Ladies and Gentlemen of Leisure
Ladies Zulu
Lady and Men Buckjumpers
Lady Jetsetters
Lady Sequence
Jolly Bunch
Jolly Bunch Sisters
Just Stepping
Men of Class
Money Wasters
New Generation
Nine Times
Nkrumah Better Boys
Ladies of Essence
Ladies Over 30
Lady Jetsetters
Ole & Nu style Felias
Original Big 7
Original Black Magic
Original Four
Original Gentlemen
Perfect Gentlemen
Pigeon Town Steppers
Popular Ladies
Positive Ladies
Prince of Wales
Revolution
Rollers
Scene Boosters
Second Line Jammers
Single Men
Step N Style
Sudan
Togetherness
Tremé Sidewalk Steppers
Untouchables
Uptown Swingers
Valley of Silent Men
We Are One
Westbank Steppers
Women of Class
Young Men Olympian, Jr.
Young Steppers
LaVaughn Belle, visual artist (U.S. Virgin Islands)
Jerome Dewulf, Ph.D., professor, author (Latin America)
Francisco Mora Catlett, percussionist (New York, Cuban Culture)
Milteri Tucker Concepcion, dancer, choreographer, educator, author (Puerto Rico/New York)
Peniel Guerrier, dancer (Haiti/New York)
Jessica Harris, author, professor, culinary historian, (Diaspora/New York)
Segunon Koné, percussionist (Ivory Coast)
Lorraine Leu, Ph,.D., professor, author (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Dr. Kazadi wa Mukuna, ethnomusicologist, educator (Democratic Republic of the Congo/OH)
Alexey Marti, percussionist, composer, bandleader, educator (Cuba, New Orleans, LA)
Danys “La Mora” Perez, dancer (Cuba/New York)
Gloria Rolando, filmmaker and screenwriter (Havana, Cuba)
Jean-Claude Biza Sompa, dancer, percussionist (Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo)
Papa Titos Sompa, dancer (Democratic Republic of the Congo/New Orleans, LA)
Milteri Tucker, dancer (Puerto Rico/New York)
William Sabourin O’Reilly, film maker (Cuba/New Orleans, LA)
Dr. Ibrahima Seck, historian (Senegal/New Orleans, LA)
Ned Sublette, composer, researcher, author (Cuba / New York)
Sara Zewde, landscape designer, author (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Dr. L. Rosanne Adderley, historian, educator (New Orleans, LA)
Dr. Jeroen DeWulf, historian (Belgium/ Berkeley, CA)
Freddi Williams Evans, independent scholar, educator, author (New Orleans, LA)
Dr. Joyce Marie Jackson, folklorist/ethnomusicologist, educator, administrator (Baton Rouge, LA)
Dr. Jessica Harris, food historian, educator (New York/New Orleans, LA)
Dr. Zada Johnson, anthropologist, educator (Chicago, IL)
Wynton Marsalis , musician (New York/New Orleans, LA)
Keith Medley , writer historian (New Orleans, LA)
Greer Goff Mendy, dancer (New Orleans, LA)
Dr. Kara Olidge, educator, administrator (New Orleans, LA)
Zella Palmer, food historian (New Orleans, LA)
Dr. Angel Adams Parham, historian, sociologist, educator (New Orleans, LA)
Dr. Clyde Robertson, educator, administrator (New Orleans, LA)
Kalamu ya Salaam, writer, publisher (New Orleans, LA)
Dr. Matt Sakakeeny, ethnomusicologist, educator (New Orleans, LA)
Ned Sublette, historian and musician (New York)
Bill Summers, musician (New Orleans, LA)
Dr. Kim Vaz-Deville, baby doll, Mardi Gras Indian, educator, “Mystery in Motion: African-American Masking and Spirituality in Mardi Gras”
Dr. Bryan Wagner, historian, educator (Berkeley, CA)
Dr. Michael White, musician, historian, educator (New Orleans, LA)
7th Ward Creole Hunters/ 7th War Hunters
Jermaine Bossier, Big Chief, Founder
Otto “Fyyo” Dejean, Big Chief, Founder
Ronald “Buck” Baham, Big Chief
Donald Claude, Big Chief
Connie Dorsey, Big Queen
8th Ward Hunters
Alfred Montana, Big Chief, Founder, Ancestor
Alphonse “Dowee’ Dupierre, Big Chief
Clovis Batiste, Big Chief
Wayne Washington
Rudy “Romeo” Bougere, Big Chief
Rudy Boougere, Sr. Big Chief, Ancestor
Robert “Robbe” Lee, Big Chief, Founder, Ancestor
Wilbert “Will” Patterson, Flag Boy, Spy Boy
9th Ward Navaho
Terry Carr, Big Chief
James Derrik Magee, Big Chief, Founder, Ancestor
Benny Ratcliff, Member
9th Ward Warriors
Algiers Warriors
Big Chief Troy Young, Founder
Preston Whitfield, Big Chief
Carlos Dunn, Second Spy Boy
Kendrick Jones, Spy Boy
Lloyd Keeler, Spy Boy
Charles Coleman, Flag Boy
Wendell Jackson, Flag Boy
Charles Henry, Flag Boy
Black Cherokee
DeShannon Shabazz, Big Chief, Founder
Black Eagles
Kendell “Shug” Trepanier, Big Chief
Lawrence Fletcher, Big Chief, Founder, Ancestor
Jerod “Rody” Lewis, Big Chief, Ancestor
Percy “Pete” Lewis, Big Chief, Ancestor
Shumela Padnos, Big Queen
Corey Rayford, Big Chief
Lionel Delpit, Sr., Big Chief, Founder, Ancestor
Lionel Delpit, III, Big Chief, Ancestor
Gaynell Gibson-Sorina, Big Queen
Stafford Agee, Spy Boy
Kiwi Richards, Spy Boy
Michael Daliet, Flag Boy
Theris Kirby “Butt” Valdery, Flag Boy
Black Flame / Black Flame Hunters
Jeremy Lacen, Big Chief, Founder
Terrance “Tee” Williams Jr., Big Chief, Founder
Walter “Sugar Bear” Landry, Big Chief
Byron “Duck” Thomas, Big Chief, Founder
Frank Royal, Big Chief, Ancestor
Eddie “Coonow” Perkins, Big Chief, Ancestor
Chick Webb, Big Chief, Ancestor
Gilda Landry, Big Queen
Ontranekia Nixon, Second Queen
Annette Tassin, Third Queen
Miker Brachen, Gang Flag
Black Seminoles
Big Chief Ironhorse
Cyril “Six” Green, Big Chief, Ancestor Chief Keitoe
Robert Louis “Slim” Stevenson, Jr., Flag Boy
Black Spears
Donald Claude, Jr., Big Chief
Donald “Dutt” Claude Sr., Big Chief
Wardell Frazier, Big Chief
Nolan “Ponchoo” Peters, Big Chief, Ancestor
Connie Dorsey, Big Queen
Black 7
Lionel “Blackfeather” Delpit, Big Chief
Ajay Joseph Mallery, Sr., Spy Boy
Big Chief Nelson
Buffalo Hunters
Irving “Spoon” Scott, Big Chief
Jay Williams, Big Chief, Ancestor
Bumble Bee Hunters
Thomas “Tom” Sparks, Sr., Flag Boy (Joined in 1947)
Burning Spears
Carrollton Hunters
Carl Reed, Big Chief
Lionel Smith, Big Chief, Founder, Ancestor
Whaley, Big Chief
Donyella Davenport, Big Queen
Reggie Henry, Spy Boy
Hassan Grant, Spy Boy
Mason Walker, Baby Spy Boy
Diamond Walker, Little Queen
Erast Harton, Jr.
Cherokee Braves
Donald Harrison, Sr., Big Chief
Cherokee Hunters
Alfred Womble, Jr., Big Chief
Wanda Womble, Big Queen
Ashley Hayes, Second Queen
James Payne, Spy Boy
Curtis “Shug” Williams, Sr. Big Chief, Ancestor
Ferdinand T Bigard, Big Chief, Ancestor
Darryl O’Neal, Flag Boy
Thomas “Bo” Dean, III, Chief
Chippewa Hunters
Choctaw Hunters
Comanche Hunters (Initially a children’s gang that came to include adults)
Keith “Keke’ Gibson, Big Chief
Keyonna Lincoln Braxton, Big Queen
Jerome Augusta, Co-founder
Charlie Tenner, Spy Boy
Michael Tenner, Spy Boy
Vernon Freeman, Sr. Flag Boy
Clifton Smith, Flag Boy
Wild Man Ro
Donald Harrison, Jr, Big Chief
Isadora Mendez-Scott, Queen
Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, Spy Boy
Dwaine Hutchens, Spy Boy
Kiel Adrian Scott, Flag Boy
Creole Apache
Walter Sandifer, Jr., Big Chief, Founder
Creole Chevejo
Kevin “Cheveyo” Turner, Big Chief
Creole Hunters (See 7th Ward Creole Hunters)
Clarence “Delco” Dalcour, Big Chief, Founder
Tricia Booutte-Langlo, Gang Queen
Kelly Ann Pearson, Flag Queen/ Big Queen
Ephron “Zeke” Debose, 1st Chief
Larry Marchez, Third Chief
E. Shon Mayo, Spy Boy
Aaron Washington, Spy Boy
Johnathan Christopher Bartholomew, Flag Boy
Efrem Zimbalist Boles, Flag Boy
Edwin Mayo, Flag Boy
Ronald Sanders, Flag Boy
Robert Weber, Flag Boy
Howard Miller, Big Chief
Walter Cook, Jr. Big Chief, Retired
Terrence Mitchell, Big Chief
Cornelius Tillman, Jr., Big Chief, Ancestor
Robert Nathaniel Lee, Big Chief, Ancestor
Henry Marigny, Big Chief, Ancestor
Donald Harrison, Sr., Big Chief, Ancestor
Edwin Harrison, Big Chief, Ancestor
Hercules Gaten, Big Chief, Ancestor
Becate Batiste, Big Chief, Founder, Ancestor
Pauline “Ree” Johnson, Big Queen
Littdell S. Banister, Tribal Queen
Rukiya, Third Queen
Jerome Augusta, Spy Boy
Clifton Nelson, Spy Boy
Gregory Perkins, Spy Boy
Walter Sandifer, Spy Boy
Walter Sandifer, III, Spy Boy
Allen Sandifer, Spy Boy
Irving Banister, Jr., Gang Flag
Miker Brachen
Isaac Edwards, Flag Boy
Michael Green, Flag Boy
James Harris, Flag Boy
Robert Louis “Slim” Stevenson, Jr., Flag Boy
Diamond Stars
Eastern Cherokee
Kevin Goodman, Big Chief
Alfred Doucette, Big Chief, Ancestor
Marc Doucette, Big Chief, Ancestor
Theodore Goodman Big Chief, Ancestor
“Merc” Mercadel, Big Chief, Founder, Ancestor
Aaron Barbarin, Sr. Flag Boy
Leroy Rouse, Flag Boy/Spy Boy
Geronimo Hunters
Tom Landry, Big Chief, Founder
Keshia Holmes, Big Queen
Athanase Johnson, Flag Boy
Jeremy “Black” Lacen, Gang Flag
Eugene “Pepe” Esteban, Big Chief
Robert “Robbe” Nathaniel Lee, Big Chief, Founder, Ancestor
Dianne Chaney, Big Queen
Derrick Hulin, Big Chief
Ben Clark, Big Chief, Founder
Robert “Robbe” lee, Big Chief, Ancestor
Paul Longpre, Big Chief, Ancestor
Leon Robinson, Big Chief
Patrice Gordon, Big Queen
Chianti Berry, Gang Queen
Veronica Henry, Third Queen
Philip Lomax, Spy Boy
Isaac Edwards
Joseph Pierre
Terrill Lewis, Flag Boy
Lewis Thomas, Sr. Flag Boy
Golden Comanche
Juan Pardo, Big Chief
Wallace Pardo, Big Chief, Founder
Joseph “Joe” Boudreaux, Big Chief
Joseph “Monk” Boudreaux, Big Chief, Founder
Wynoka Boudreaux, Big Queen
Mary Jones, Big Queen
Golden Feather / Golden Feather Hunters
Shaka Zulu, Big Chief , Founder
Golden Sioux
Juan Padro, Big Chief
Irving Bannister, Big Chief, Founder, Ancestor
Ronnie Ellis, Big Chief
Oliver, Big Chief, Ancestor
Golden Star
Raymond Perique, Big Chief, Ancestor
Jerry Brown, Big Chief, Founder, Ancestor
Larry Bannock, Big Chief, Founder, Ancestor
Patrice Griffin, Big Queen
Henry Thomas, Big Chief
Shirley May Thomas, Big Queen
Golden Star Hunters
Larry Bannock, Big Chief, Founder, Ancestor
Grey Eagles
Wesley Cook, Gang Flag
Brian Harrison Nelson, Big Chief
Donald Harrison, Sr, Big Chief, Founder, Ancestor
Cherice Harrison Nelson, Big
Queen/Maroon Queen; Co-founder, Mardi Gras Indian
Hall of Fame
Donna Crump, Queen
Adella Gautier, Griot Queen
Jamilah Y. Peters-Muhammad, Ambassador Queen
Karen-Kaia Livers, Wild Woman
Dondrell Cage, Jr, Spy Boy, Ancestor
Kiel Adrian Scott
Herreast Harrison, Director and Curator
Big Chief Donald Harrison, Jr. Museum Co-founder, Guardian Institute
Haley Braves
Otto “Fiyo” DeJean, Sr., Big Chief, Founder
Jared McKay, Spy Boy
Ryan Burrows, Sr., Flag Boy
Travis Carter, Flag Boy
Ajay Joseph Mallery, Sr., Flag Boy
Robert Louis Stevenson, Jr., Flag Boy
Hundred and One
Cornelius “Brother” Tillman, Big Chief, Ancestor
Indians of the Nation
Howard “Smiley” Ricks, Big Chief
Louisiana Star Choctaw Nation
Loyal Breed Apache Warrriors
Mandingo Warriors, Spirit of Fi Yi Yi
Victor Harris, Spirit of Fi Yi Yi, Big Chief, Founder
Kim Boutte, Big Queen, Ancestor
Sula Janet Evans, Medicine Queen
“Cinnamon Black” Resa Bazile Wilson, Queen
Perry Emery, Flag Boy
Massai Hunters
Keelan “Dump” Boyd, Big Chief
Medallion Hunters
Mohawk Hunters
Tyrone Casby, Sr., Big Chief
Frank Casby, Sr. Big Chief, Founder, Ancestor
Lexus Parker, Big Chief Ancestor
Leo Roy, Big Chief, Ancestor
Rayfield Parker, Big Chief
Frank Jones, Big Chief
Rita Johnson, Big Queen
Rita Henry Chambers, Gang Queen
Dow Michael Edwards, Spy Boy
Kenneth Scott, Spy Boy
Jamal Casby, Flag Boy
Charles Dillion, Flag Boy
Cedric Henry, Sr. Gang Flag
Monogram Hunters
Jeremy Tyrone Stevenson, Big Chief
Tyrone Steven, Big Chief, Founder
Allison “Tootie” Montana, Big Chief
Alfred Montana, Big Chief (Big Chief Tootie’s father)
Denice Smith, Big Queen
Freddie Washington, Spy Boy
One Eleven
Eddie Richardson, Big Chief, Founder, Ancestor
One Hundred and One Hunters
Raymond “Butter bowl” Perique, Ancestor
Original White Eagles
Gerald Milton, Big Chief
Jake Melancon, Big Chief, Founder, Ancestor
Original Yellow Jackets
George Palfray, Big Chief, Founder, Ancestor
Red Cheyenne
Johnathan Ohilia, Big Chief, Founder
David Perry, Big Chief
Darrin Perry, Big Chief, Ancestor
Ed “Tugga” Cloud Buckner, Big Chief, Founder, Ancestor
Eric Smith, Flag Boy
Ja’Quan McNair, Wild Man
Eric Smith, Gang Flag
Edward Buckner, Founder
Nelson Burke, Big Chief, Founder
Patrina Peters, Big Wild Queen
Roger Hulbert, Spy Boy
Vernon Jordan, Spy Boy
Darrell Preston, Spy Boy
Ronnel Butler, Flag Boy
Teral Butler, Flag Boy
Michael Green, Flag Boy
Richard Ivory Turner, Chief
Red, White and Blue
Don Shafford, Big Chief
Joe Allen, Big Chief
Jack Green, Sr., Big Chief, Founder, Ancestor
Walter Sandifer, Jr., Spy Boy
Seminole (Hunters)
Keith “Keitoe” Jones, Big Chief
David “Chief” Beaulieau, Big Chief
Joe Pete, Big Chief, Founder, Ancestor
Sally Jones, Big Queen
Nelson Thompson Flag Boy/Second Chief
Demond Melancon, Spy Boy
Seminole Warriors
James “Yam” Harris, Big Chief, Founder
Jimmy Hicks, Big Chief, Founder
Michelle Hammothe, Big Queen
Ronald Matthews, Flag Boy
Jeremiah Williams, Flag Boy
Shrewsbury Blues
Chick Webb, Big Chief Founder, Ancestor
Dow Edwards, Big Chief, Founder
Lisa Edwards, Big Queen
Tomahawk Hunters
Darren D-lo” Beard, Big Chief, Founder
Trouble Nation
Markeith Tero, Big Chief
Emmanuel Hingle, Big Chief, Founder
Jermaine Bossier
Unified Nation
Travis Williams, Big Chief
Devan Williams, Big Chief, Ancestor
Uptown Warriors
Edward Johnson, Big Chief, Founder
Cardell Patterson, Flag Boy
David Williams
David Montana, Big Chief, Founder
Eldon Harris, Second Chief
Ausettua AmorAmenkum, Big Queen
Kijafa Brown, Queen
Sarah Hargrove, Queen
Charles Taylor, Big Chief
Charles Collins, Big Chief
Harold Fethuson, Big Chief, Founder, Ancestor
Clarence “Bozo” Davis, Sr., Big Chief, Ancestor
Joyce Robair, Big Queen
Leroy Ross, Flag Boy
Terrrence Gasper, Big Chief
Jake Milton, Big Chief
Robert “Robbe” Lee, Big Chief
Lionel “Bird” Oubichon, Big Chief
Lawrence Fletcher, Big Chief
Eugene Thomas, Jr., Big Chief, Ancestor
Clarence Davis, Big Chief, Ancestor
Gerald “Jake” Mellon, Big Chief, Founder, Ancestor
Laura “LaLee,” Queen
Wade Batiste, Spy Boy
Nathaniel “Nat” Williams
Isaac “Ike” Edwards, Flag Boy/Second Chief
Nelson Thomas, Flag Boy
Neljuana Mallery, Queen
Wild Apache
Franklin Davis, Big Chief
Ray “Hatchet” Blazio, Sr., Big Chief, Founder, Ancestor
Theris Kirby “Butt” Valdery, Flag Boy
Freddie Washington, Spy Boy
Wild Bogacheetus
Nathaniel “Butch” Maniger, Big Chief, Founder, Ancestor
Wild Comanche Hunters
“Smiley” Ricks, Big Chief
Wild Magnolias
Gerard “Bo” Dollis, Jr, Big Chief
Theodore Emile “Bo” Dollis, Sr., Big Chief, Ancestor
Joe Lee Baker, Big Chief
Walter Cook, Sr. Big Chief, Founder, Ancestor
Laurita Barras Dollis, Big Queen, Founder & President, Queens of the Nation Indian Council
Queen Tahj
Tom Landry, Spy Boy
Anthony “Tuba Fat” Lacen, Wild Man, Ancestor
Johnnie “Kool” Stevenson, Flag Boy, Ancestor
Robert Louis “Slim” Stevenson, Jr., Flag Boy/Drummer
Wild Mohicans
Kentrell Watson, Sr., Big Chief, Founder
Gregory Perkins, Spy Boy
Miker Bachen, Gang Flag
Wild of Nation
Roger Wilson, Big Chief
Demetrice Walters, Big Queen
Wild Red Flame
David Perry, Big Chief
Daryn Perry, Big Chief, Ancestor
Reginald Porter, Big Chief, Ancestor
Wild Opelousas (Youth group / Martin Behrman Charter School)
Tycen Grant, Big Chief
Wild Squatoulas
Danny Lambert, Big Chief
Wild Tchoupitoulas
Roderick Sylvas, Big Chief
Johnny Diggs, Big Chief
George “Jolly” Landry, Big Chief, Founder Ancestor
Ethelyn Marshall, Big Queen
Mary Kay Stevenson, Big Queen
Mercedes Stevenson, Big Queen
Charmaine Neville, Queen
Keith Scott, Spy Boy
Roy Johnson, Jr., Flag Boy
Robbe Lee, Big Chief
Andrew “Drew” Justin, Big Chief
Porres Justin, Big Chief, Founder
Yellow Jackets
Sterling Desmond, Big Chief
Charles “Lil Charles” Taylor, Big Chief
Thomas “Tom” Sparks, Sr., Big Chief, Founder, Ancestor (Masked for 70 years)
George Palfrey, Big Chief
Reggie Henry, Spy Boy
Allison “Tootie” Montana, Big Chief, Ancestor
Alfred Montana, Big Chief, Ancestor
Sam Treed, Big Chief, Ancestor
Eugene Honoré, Big Chief, Ancestor
Gina Montana, Big Queen
Kalindah Laveaux, Voodoo Queen
Gregory Sellers, Spy Boy
Belton “Noonie Man” Batiste, Spy Boy
Ricky Gettridge, Spy Boy
Eldon Harris, Spy Boy
Fred Johnson, Jr, Spy Boy
Gregory Sellars, Spy Boy
Tyrone Yancy, Spy Boy
Jermaine Bossier
Young Black Mohawks
Shilyn Cosey, Little Queen
Young Brave Hunters
James Battiste, Big Chief
Young Cherokee Hunters
Waddie Griffin, Big Chief, Founder
Young Cheyenne
Thomas “Bo” Dean, Big Chief
Paris Hayes, Little Queen
Wade Batiste, Spy Boy
Wesley Cook, Gang Boy
Young Comanche Hunters
Malaya Braxton, Little Queen
Young Creole Wild West
Journey Banister, Little Queen
Young Generations
Zack Gummee, Big Chief, Founder
Asmar R. Clark, Sr., Spy Boy
Young Golden Blades
Na-Kala Duncan, Little Queen
Lucy Langford, Little Queen
Malay Thomas, Princess
Young Golden Comanche
Sky Alani Pardo, Big Queen
Young Golden Star Hunters
Tonja Hollingsworth, Little Queen
Young Guardians of the Flame
Brian Harrison-Nelson, Big Chief, Founder
Kevin Cooley, Jr. Big Chief
Dariel Thompson, Flag Girl
Ruby Booker, Baby Queen
Irvinyell Bright, Princess
Kenya DeArmas, Princess
Kenyatta DeArmas, Flag Girl
Kenyariah DeArmas, Flag Girl
Cailey Lewis, Baby Princess
Kelci Lewis, Princess
Scotland Marquez, Princess
Malon McGee, Princess
Nadia Rose Robinson, Queen
Dondriel Thompson, Flame Keeper
Young Hunters
Keith Stanford, Big Chief
Young Mandingo Warrriors
Mikira Kirton, Little Queen
Keelian “Dump” Boyd, Big Chief, Founder, Ancestor
Meeka “Mimi” Boyd, Big Queen
Freddie Washington, Spy Boy
Orlando “P-nut” Barber, Spy Boy
Young Monogram Hunters
Young Navaho
Darryl Gordon, Big Chief, Founder
Young Red Hawk Hunters
Jes-Zhare Johnson, Little Queen
Demond Melancon, Big Chief, Founder
Young Warriors
Kevin Sanford, Big Chief, Founder
Young Washitaw Nation
Dynasti Smith, Little Queen
Amina Mosi Watson, Little Queenie
Young Wild Magnolias
Acerria Angel Dollis, Baby Queen
Young Wild Tchoupitoulas
Remy Andrea Johnson, Little Queen
Amari Zoe Sylvas, Little Queen
Additional Sources
Ehrenreich, Jeffrey David, Herreast J. Harrison, and Cherice Harrison-Nelson, eds. Queens Rule! XIII. New Orleans: Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame, 2015.
Harrison-Nelson, Cherice, ed. Spy Boy Yearbook. New Orleans: Mardi Gras Indian Hall of F Fame, 2013.
Harrison-Nelson, Cherice, and Jeffrey David Ehrenreich, eds. Flag Boy/Gang Flag Yearbook. New Orleans: Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame, 2015.
Johnson, Charlie. Interview, 12/ 15/ 2022.
Lief, Shane, and John McCusker. Jockomo: The Native Roots of Mardi Gras Indians. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 2019. Lewis, Ronald W., and Rachel Breunlin. The House of Dance and Feathers: A Museum by Ronald W. Lewis. New Orleans, LA: UNO Press/Neighborhood Story Project, 2009.
Sakakeeny, Matt. Mardi Gras Indians. 64 Parishes. https://64parishes.org/entry/mardi-gras-indians Smith, Michael P. Mardi Gras Indians. Gretna, LA: Pelican Publishing Company, 1994.
