Twenty-six new reasons to do Mardi Gras from A to Z

By SékouWrites
Photos by Zave Smith

X is for Xenophobia. As you know, xenophobia is the fear of the unknown, and on my way to New Orleans, I braced for the drunken madness that’s always associated with Mardi Gras.  I was more than pleasantly surprised to find my fear completely unfounded.  Just like an airline offering first, business, and coach travel, the level at which you choose to experience New Orleans is completely up to you.  From the highest end possible to an adventure that is more common, Mardi Gras is best experienced, and judged, for yourself.

Y is for Yellow Pocahontas Mardi Gras Indian tribe. Darryl Montana, aka Tootie, served as big chief of the Yellow Pocahontas for a number of years—a fact that gave him quite a badge of honor.  While in New Orleans, I got to visit the late Tootie’s home and found that a full 50 percent of the house was dedicated to the various ornate costumes worn by Tootie during Mardi Gras celebrations.  From hand-sewn jewels to elaborate layers of feather-festooned headdresses, the costumes are a wonder to see up close.  Even more when you consider how much time, energy, and money it took to create them.  Tootie designed every single one of his annual costumes and they are still intact.

Z is for Zulu’s anniversary. Last year, the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club celebrated its 100th birthday.  To say it was quite an affair would be an understatement.  The Zulu Ball was massive both in terms of size of the venue (the Convention Center) and the number of people who attended (thousands).  Zulu is a significant social organization for African-Americans in New Orleans similar to, let’s say, Jack and Jill or college fraternities.  Many of its all male members have gone on to greatness locally and nationally, like jazz great Louis Armstrong, who once served as Zulu king.