To be a Mardi Gras Indian, a lot of love is required

Noted jazz saxophonist Donald Harrison is the Big Chief of Congo Nation. He spends about a year creating his elaborate suit for Mardi Gras.

"There's a spiritual revelation that you go thorough when you put it on," Harrison says.

Congo Nation is one of about three dozen "tribes," known collectively as the Mardi Gras Indians, who parade in their own neighborhoods on the big day.

Harrison says this year's suit probably weighs about 70 pounds.

The origins of the Mardi Gras Indians go back to the 1700s, when slaves would gather in New Orleans' Congo Square to play traditional African music. They started masquerading as Native Americans in part to honor native tribes who sheltered and protected escaped slaves.

"We mask as Indians because once again...we couldn't express our own afro-centric culture. We hid behind that mask," says Big Chief Tyrone Casby of the Mohawk Hunters.

The rehearsals of Mardi Gras Indians are normally off-limits to the general public, who usually have to catch them parading the streets.

Casby has been Big Chief of the Mohawk Hunters since 1980. He says it's all about family, community and culture.

"It takes a lot of love to do what we do," Casby says.

And they plan to continue doing it for generations to come.

In addition to Mardi Gras Day, many of the tribes also parade on Saint Joseph's Day in March. Many tribes also appear at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.