Portrait of a Chief

Big Chief Al Womble of the Cheyenne Hunters Mardi Gras Indians, has been practicing the Mardi Gras Indian culture uptown New Orleans for 30 years. He is a pillar of his community, and actively preserves the culture by training young people in the neighborhood in the suit sewing (suit sewing is the process by which Indians hand sew their elaborate outfits), dance and music. The Mardi Gras Indian tradition has been alive in New Orleans since the 1880s. Today, community warriors like Big Chief Al are fighting to keep this neo-African tradition alive and well. We've made this video to bring awareness to Big Chief's Al cause and to preserve the cultural heritage of New Orleans. Please support! For more info, please contact [e-mail]

[@Georgianna82]

My niece and I have always been fascinated and extremely interested in the Mardi Gras Indians! We are not kids anymore but we would love to learn more about the history and artistry of the Indians. Hats off to Mr. Hunters for trying to keep this part of our history/culture alive!

[@jenniferdickson-bonds8314]

I pray that the culture...that the truth stays alive...it is family it is one of the ways our people survive

[@ezlrockwell82]

This is a very wonderful man. I can see that. I shed a tear, I am so humbled.
Big Chief Al Womble! Keep it up! :')

[@henrydoake6659]

Amazing man! A real live Saint. God bless him

[@veronicaoliver5272]

This is the best of the best, thank you for this 'Portrait of a Chief'.

[@michaelconnor]

Leadership, tradition, creativity

[@ZydecoSoul]

So so beautiful!!! This is how you lead

[@altrenastirgus1587]

Absolutely beautiful.. God bless you Chief

[@bootboy17]

Oh yahh! It's real. Nice video bruh. Lets keep our culture alive.

[@theartistsvlog]

Thank you.

[@PrimalBelle]

Beautiful art form

[@bellaposh29]

True Community Trail Blazer 🙌🏾

[@Cneph1964]

Awesome, wouldn't mind visiting next year during the parade

[@ronaldmccoy3778]

big Al love you man this is your boy Kavin from NY I've been trying to get in touch with you I'll give me a call 716-429-5099

[@samariasmothers7465]

This is my big chief 😂

[@joshuabeeAlafia1]

You're in good hands! A very solid Big Chief for sure!

[@denisemitchell3010]

Gday luv
Alright now
Love listening to the Chiefs
Second Generation Cherokee
Third Generation Cree
Family married into the Shinnecock Nation
Osiyo Hello
Tusti tutsiwoni Tsalagi I speak little Cherokee
Wado thank you
UWODUHI. Beautiful
NOLA Shoo fly
Who Dat

[@joshuabeeAlafia1]

Thanks Denise! Your response brought me a lot of joy today!

[@denisemitchell3010]

@@joshuabeeAlafia1 no worries my pleasure it's my culture as well

[@qwanie18]

I enjoy watching the Indians after the Zulu parade

[@droptv8189]

💪🏾💯😎

[@SmashinAdams]

5:07 - Not totally true: Some of our Chahta ancestors WERE slavers (of Africans, whites & our own) & already had Chusite-Moundbuilder blood in their veins. And originally, EVERY "mardi gras indian" was from Mississippi. Some moved north of Lake Ponchatrain finding it abandoned & eventually spread out.

[@fitawrarifitness6842]

😂🤣

[@alanoneill3065]

there is nothing NEAR to this in the UK

[@christinagraham2915]

Bc the UK don't have natives Americans.

[@alanoneill3065]

@@christinagraham2915 there are natives in the UK

[@evian6673]

The Notting Hill Carnival is a celebration of tribal culture. Arawak etc. The central American tribes.

[@alanoneill3065]

@@evian6673 True...imported tho eh?...not that thats a bad thing

[@Chowanoc222]

THE SLAVES WERE THE INDIANS THATS WHY THEY WERE SO ACCEPTING OF THE SO CALLED SLAVES IT WAS THEIR OWN PEOPLE THE INDIAN ARE COPPER COLORED NOT PALE LIKE THE ONES WE SEE TODAY