NEW ORLEANS — One of the cornerstones of New Orleans culture is masking Indians. The masterfully made suits are truly works of art that honor the Native Americans who kept escaped enslaved people safe, but the cost of this tradition climbs each year.
The costs have kept some culture bearers from masking altogether.
Big Chief Shaka Zulu with the Golden Feather Hunters said, “They say time is money. We have the time, but we don't have the money. For so many years, we have been price gouged out of our cultural traditions here in New Orleans.”
With over 20 years of masking under his belt, he said the costs of materials have definitely gone up, the most expensive being one of the lightest parts of the suit, the feathers.
“600 dollars a pound. If you are a chief, you are wearing so many pounds, but on average, it's about 3 pounds of feathers, and that's just for feathers. You know, you have the beads and other parts of the suits," he said.
The price has gotten so high that Big Chief said some elders are taking a step back.
“A lot of the elders are not masking as much, and you know the pride of this tradition, most of them won't say, but it is just getting too expensive. So, somebody has to step up and ensure that we can continue this since it is so important to the city," Big Chief Shaka Zulu said.
In partnership with Floor 13, a beloved antique store, they hosted a Sip and Sew. Over 60 people turned out to learn about the history of masking in New Orleans, sip a bit, and get a sewing lesson for the big chief.
Floor 13 owner Holis Hannan is a New Orleans native.
She said that her business burned down back in 2018. When they reopened, the goal was not just to save priceless trinkets from the landfill but also to pour them back into the community.
The sip and sew was the perfect way to do that.
“It’s a part of our blood; it's a part of our city, so it’s important to keep it going," Hannan said.
It's that support that keeps Big Chief Shaka Zulu going.
“When you wear a 100-pound suit every year, it breaks the body down, but for some reason, you never get tired of it," he said.
Hannan said they will be hosting many more events like Sip and Sew in the new year to support a wide range of nonprofits.
To support Shaka Zulu's feather fund, click here.
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