“Masked for Battle” explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Mardi Gras Indians, also known as Black masking Indians. The Mardi Gras Indians are groups that parade on improvised routes through their neighborhoods each Mardi Gras, displaying elaborately designed costumes, also called suits, that are hand sewn with beads and feathers. This is the third film in a series of documentaries produced by students at Ohio State Newark that gives voice to participants in a time-honored Black parading tradition in New Orleans.
The pandemic locked down New Orleans shortly after Mardi Gras 2020, disproportionately impacting the Black community, including these legendary culture-bearers. In addition to facing sickness and death in their communities, the Mardi Gras Indians were deprived of practices essential to their tradition, including communal craft work, community gatherings and open-air street performances. With a second consecutive Carnival canceled in 2021, some wondered if they would ever return to the streets — or if their unique New Orleans tradition would become another victim of the pandemic. The film tells the story of their suffering, their perseverance and their return on Mardi Gras Day 2022.
Leading the project were Tiyi Morris, PhD, associate professor of African American and African studies, and Virginia Cope, PhD, associate professor of English and the campus’ associate dean for special programs and outreach and engagement. Morris and Cope prepared students to travel to New Orleans to conduct interviews for each film. “These films tell how these culture-bearers are attempting to preserve a 150-year-old tradition that is essential to New Orleans culture,” said Morris.