From the Kingdom of Kongo to Congo Square

Kongo Dances and the Origins of the Mardi Gras Indians

Nonfiction, Entertainment, Music, Pop & Rock, Dance, Music Styles, History, Military
Cover of the book From the Kingdom of Kongo to Congo Square by Jeroen Dewulf, University of Louisiana at Lafayette Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Jeroen Dewulf ISBN: 9781946160188
Publisher: University of Louisiana at Lafayette Press Publication: October 2, 2017
Imprint: University of Louisiana at Lafayette Press Language: English
Author: Jeroen Dewulf
ISBN: 9781946160188
Publisher: University of Louisiana at Lafayette Press
Publication: October 2, 2017
Imprint: University of Louisiana at Lafayette Press
Language: English

From the Kingdom of Kongo to Congo Square: Kongo Dances and the Origins of the Mardi Gras Indians presents a provocatively new interpretation of one of New Orleans’s most enigmatic traditions—the Mardi Gras Indians. By interpreting the tradition in an Atlantic context, Dewulf traces the “black Indians” back to the ancient Kingdom of Kongo and its war dance known as sangamento. Enslaved Kongolese brought the rhythm, dancing moves, and feathered headwear of sangamentos to the Americas in performances that came to be known as “Kongo dances.” 

By comparing Kongo dances on the African island of São Tomé with those in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Louisiana, Dewulf demonstrates that the dances in New Orleans’s Congo Square were part of a much broader Kongolese performance tradition. He links that to Afro-Catholic mutual-aid societies that honored their elected community leaders or “kings” with Kongo dances. While the public rituals of these brotherhoods originally thrived in the context of Catholic procession culture around Epiphany and Corpus Christi, they transitioned to carnival as a result of growing orthodoxy within the Church. Dewulf’s groundbreaking research suggests a much greater impact of Kongolese traditions and of popular Catholicism on the development of African American cultural heritage and identity. His conclusions force us to radically rethink the traditional narrative on the Mardi Gras Indians, the kings of Zulu, and the origins of black participation in Mardi Gras celebrations.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

From the Kingdom of Kongo to Congo Square: Kongo Dances and the Origins of the Mardi Gras Indians presents a provocatively new interpretation of one of New Orleans’s most enigmatic traditions—the Mardi Gras Indians. By interpreting the tradition in an Atlantic context, Dewulf traces the “black Indians” back to the ancient Kingdom of Kongo and its war dance known as sangamento. Enslaved Kongolese brought the rhythm, dancing moves, and feathered headwear of sangamentos to the Americas in performances that came to be known as “Kongo dances.” 

By comparing Kongo dances on the African island of São Tomé with those in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Louisiana, Dewulf demonstrates that the dances in New Orleans’s Congo Square were part of a much broader Kongolese performance tradition. He links that to Afro-Catholic mutual-aid societies that honored their elected community leaders or “kings” with Kongo dances. While the public rituals of these brotherhoods originally thrived in the context of Catholic procession culture around Epiphany and Corpus Christi, they transitioned to carnival as a result of growing orthodoxy within the Church. Dewulf’s groundbreaking research suggests a much greater impact of Kongolese traditions and of popular Catholicism on the development of African American cultural heritage and identity. His conclusions force us to radically rethink the traditional narrative on the Mardi Gras Indians, the kings of Zulu, and the origins of black participation in Mardi Gras celebrations.

More books from Military

Cover of the book Maccaulley's Monster by Jeroen Dewulf
Cover of the book Два брата by Jeroen Dewulf
Cover of the book Alemania Jekyll y Hyde by Jeroen Dewulf
Cover of the book Vietnam War Almanac by Jeroen Dewulf
Cover of the book The Effects Of Infectious Disease On Napoleon’s Russian Campaign by Jeroen Dewulf
Cover of the book The Conflicts in Yemen and U.S. National Security: Yemeni Regional Politics and Saudi Arabia, Drones, Qat Chewing, al-Qaeda, War on Terror, Houthi Tribesmen Rebellion, Zaydi Shiite Sect, Kleptocracy by Jeroen Dewulf
Cover of the book EU Global Strategy and Human Security by Jeroen Dewulf
Cover of the book Airpower and Russian Partisan Warfare by Jeroen Dewulf
Cover of the book The Battle of Midway by Jeroen Dewulf
Cover of the book U.S. Marines In Afghanistan, 2001-2002: From The Sea by Jeroen Dewulf
Cover of the book Second to None by Jeroen Dewulf
Cover of the book Memoirs of the life, exile, and conversations of the Emperor Napoleon, by the Count de Las Cases - Vol. III by Jeroen Dewulf
Cover of the book UXB Malta by Jeroen Dewulf
Cover of the book Friends, though divided : A Tale of the Civil War by Jeroen Dewulf
Cover of the book Air Force by Jeroen Dewulf
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy