Are the Mardi Gras Indians best defined as a community, a tradition, a brotherhood and sisterhood, or an example of living history? “All of the above!” – Big Chief Derrick Hulin, in a 2023 interview with the Smithsonian magazine.
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“Today is a happy day!”yelled the woman in front of me last Thursday, wildly swinging her hula hoops. My sentiment, exactly.
Anne McEnerny-Ogle, the Mayor of Vancouver, WA, seemingly agreed. She joyfully greeted a large crowd settling in at the Waterfront Park last Thursday, celebrating the end of a successful free concert series offered by the city this summer.
Mayor Anne (right) Ruth J. Wikler in background.
A mild summer evening, not a cloud in the sky, people picnicking, mingling, parading interesting sartorial choices.
Not a thought about the upcoming divisive Clark Council Primary race, not a single confrontation about the rebuilding of the structurally unsound I5 bridge connecting Portland and Vancouver, with hotly debated light rail addition or refusal thereof.
A break from worrying about wildfires or how to pay for the next tank of gas. Just a Mayor, recently re-elected for yet another term by wide margins, warmly welcoming young and old to a thriving waterfront and a very special concert ahead. Friendly city staff helping out, handing out earplugs for those who needed them, answering questions. Community at its best,
That sense of inclusivity was echoed by the opening remarks of the group of people who had helped the city’s programming add a spectacular act: the two-time GRAMMY-nominated New Orleans band, Cha Wa.
The Clark College Foundation, represented by Director of Arts Programming, Partnerships, & Philanthropy, Ruth J. Wikler, provided the talent and helped bring Cha Wa to the Vancouver Waterfront – and this is just the beginning.
“This concert launched the second-ever season of the Clark College Foundation Presents performance series with what is quickly becoming a hallmark of this regionally unique program: culturally and artistically one-of-a-kind performing artists from around the country and the world bring their extraordinary expressions to Clark County audiences in special ways that uplift and spotlight both Clark College’s talented students and wide-ranging academic programs,” Wikler said.
Clark College Vice President of Instruction, William (Terry) Brown, praised the ongoing collaboration with the city.
Don Romesburg, Dean of Social Sciences and Fine Arts (right), and Doug Harris, Chair of the Music Department (left) talked about what the college has to offer, proudly presenting the opening act for the concert as well: students from the Music Department playing traditional jazz.
“They’re killing it”, someone in the crowd erupted, loud applause echoing that sentiment. Talented young men, all.
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Cha Wa managed to rouse the crowd to its feet, once they started playing. They are part of a New Orleans tradition of Mardi Gras Indians, combining historic chants with jazz, R&B, hip-hop, rock, soul and African-inspired music.
Many of New Orleans’ Blacks have celebrated Mardi Gras for over a century, creating and wearing Native American-inspired costumes, hand-stitched and adorned with beads and feathers in the most intricate fashion, embracing extensive labor (and often cost) for these suits. The suits usually consist of a crown, a dickie (tuxedo front) and an apron, handcrafted over a period of six months to a year. They draw inspiration from both Native American and African ceremonial dress.
Dozens of “tribes” parade during Mardi Gras, chanting and singing call-and-response songs, playing tambourines, cowbells, drums and other percussion instruments. Sometimes they are staging friendly competitions with rival “tribes,” alerted to them by a traditional “spy boy,” who walks in advance of each social group. “Cha Wa,” they call, ” We’re coming for you!”
A distinctly African-American tradition, it is believed to have originated in the 19th century to pay homage to the Indigenous people who helped slaves to escape and survive in the wild, on land once belonging to the Chitimacha Tribe. Some escaped slaves tried to make it in maroon camps (makeshift settlements in Louisiana’s swamps and bayous), while others sought shelter with Native communities, which then assimilated the Africans into their tribes. Choctaw, Seminole and Chickasaw and mixed-race people of Black and Indian heritage knew the fate of the enslaved. They constituted some 20 percent of the state’s enslaved population during the antebellum period, when New Orleans was a hub for the colonial slave trade.
There have been some discussions around the issue of cultural appropriation by one social group using the adornment of another. The 2021 documentary Big Chief, Black Hawk addressed the issue, generally approving of a hybrid of Native and West African Cultures. If two marginalized group are willing to support each other, can that be called cultural appropriation?
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The band Cha Wa was founded by musical director and drummer Joe Gelini a bit over a decade ago. They have amassed awards for their vital and musically integrative albums, a music simultaneously true to its roots and yet inventing its own idiosyncratic style.
My absolute favorite part of their Vancouver performance, other than the wildly talented saxophone playing of front singer Tajh Derosier, was the way the story was told.
Historic facts about the fate of those enslaved in Louisiana, those who tormented them and those who came to help them, were contained in a narrative seamlessly blending with the music. For a representative cross section of their music, I recommend listening to “Spyboy,” one of Cha Wa’s celebrated early albums.
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Lots going on in Vancouver, WA. Growing collaborations between city and college. Grants gifted by generous individuals and organizations to the Clark College Foundation, supporting the educational value of art in all of its forms. And plenty more enticing events in the offing, next weekend’s Vancouver Arts and Music Festival among them. (Program information found in the link.)
You can find me at Esther Short Park then for sure – betting on another happy day!
Bringing my own chair this time.
Here are the Clark College and Clark College Foundation contributions to the upcoming festival:
(Can’t miss the clowns…!)
FRIDAY August 7th: Performing Arts: Clown Garage/The Waddle Ensemble: 4pm & 6pm (20 minute appearances; 4pm features Clark College Baking & Acting Students)
Visual Art: Exhibit dedicated to Clark College Visual Art student work: 10am-6pm, Esther Short Building.
SATURDAY August 8th: Literary Arts: Clark College Creative Writers read from 11am-12n at Acoustic Stage
Performing Arts: Clown Garage/The Waddle Ensemble: 1pm, 3:30pm, & 5pm (20 minute appearances; 1pm and 3:30pm feature Clark College Baking & Acting Students)
Visual Art: Exhibit dedicated to Clark College Visual Art student work: 10am-6pm, Esther Short Building.
SUNDAY August 9th: Performing Arts: Clown Garage/The Waddle Ensemble: 11am, 3:30pm, & 5pm (20 minute appearances; only 11am and 3:30pm feature Clark College Baking & Acting Students)
Visual Arts: Exhibit dedicated to Clark College Visual Art student work: 10am-2pm, Esther Short Building.
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