Joshua Kissi Gives Us a Glimpse of Golden Eagle's Mardi Gras Parade

Joshua Kissi has curated a career out of visual storytelling, specifically of Black communities throughout the world. His latest journey took him to New Orleans to experience Mardi Gras and meet Tahj Williams, a 21-year-old leader within her community.

At nine years old Tahj became interested in participating with the Golden Eagles tribe after she saw another child “masking Indian” in her uncle's tribe, the Wild Magnolias. According to the NOLA Chic, Mardi Gras Indians are comprised, mostly, of the African-American communities of New Orleans's inner city. Collectively, their 38 "tribes" range in size from half a dozen to several dozen members. These groups are largely independent, but a pair of umbrella organizations loosely coordinate the Uptown Indians and the Downtown Indians.

“Preserving the culture of Black-masking Indians in New Orleans was something that excited me about going down to shoot Queen Tahj and her tribe," Joshua tells Teen Vogue. "I was connected to her tribe through a friend and we were off to the races after that. Tahj is super passionate."

Celebrated all over Lousiana, Mardi Gras is composed of parades that run for two weeks before Ash Wednesday. While tradition has largely been overshadowed by metallic beads and wild partying on Bourbon Street, the holiday of Mardi Gras is actually a time-honored tradition. Tahj has worked her way up through the ranks to become Second Queen in the Golden Eagles tribe, led by the eminent Uptown big chief Monk Boudreaux.

"Part of that message I wanted to show is that young Mardi Gras Indian women are strong and as deserving of attention as the men in the tribe," Tahj says. “The queen is often the afterthought. I want to show how we’re the backbone without stepping on men’s toes, so I showed it through the beadwork and the suits.”

Learn more about Queen Tahj in the pictures and video below.

Correction: In a previous version of this article Tahj Williams was cited as 19 years old. She is 21 years old.

Credit:

Talent : Tahj Willams

Photography: Joshua Kissi

Directed: Joshua Kissi & E.Buckles

DOP & Editor: E.Buckles

Assistant Camera: EjaazMason

Produced: TheBrosFresh