Like many other traditions, the COVID-19 pandemic spelled disaster for New Orleans’ Black masking Indians. They were among the first casualties as the city shut down days after Mardi Gras 2020.
The lockdown deprived them of communal craft work, community gatherings and street performances. But they returned in all their glory and their stories are shared in a new documentary, “Masked for Battle: Mardi Gras Indian Culture Confronts COVID,” airing on WYES-TV on Sunday, Feb. 11 at 3 p.m. from Ohio State University at Newark and executive producers Virginia Cope and Lolis Eric Elie.
For other airings, visit wyes.org/mardigras.
– Aislinn Hinyup, Vice President of Communications, WYES