The Story from APM

Remembering the Chief

Wednesday, December 26 2007

REMEMBERING THE CHIEF

Tootie - click for  another view

Two years ago, New Orleans lost one of its most legendary black Mardi Gras Indians: Big Chief Allison "Tootie" Montana.

His son, Darryl Montana, is now carrying on the tradition - the fifth generation in his family to mask during Mardi Gras.

Darryl's intricately beaded designs are world-renowned, and he is recognized as a master traditional artist.

Darryl - click for another view

Darryl talks with Dick Gordon about growing up in a Mardi Gras Indian family, the day his dad finally recognized his work as "pretty," and why Hurricane Katrina didn't ruffle a feather on Tootie's Indian suits.

Dick also talks with documentary filmmaker Lisa Katzman about the lessons she learned from capturing the ups and downs of Darryl and Tootie's relationship.

• See photos of Chief Darryl and Big Chief Tootie Montana
• Hear Darryl sing "My Indian Red" (download mp3)
• Learn more about the film, Tootie's Last Suit
• Find out more about Darryl
  
• Read the history of the Black Mardi Gras Indian
  

Music heard in this story: Basin Street Blues by Sidney Bechet for the album The Best of Sidney Bechet.  When the Saints Go Marching In by Magnificent Seventh's Brass Band for the album Authentic New Orleans Jazz Funeral

Your Story - Janet Lewis Muth

Janet Lewis Muth wrote to The Story about two moments in her life, both centering on the same benevolent stranger. In 1991, Janet was traveling by train throughout Europe. Shortly after she boarded a train in East Germany, a man tried to steal her purse. Finally, she found someone who seemed friendly. He sat with her until she arrived at her stop safely. About all she knew about this kind stranger was that his name was Joao Paolo.

About a year later, Janet joined the Peace Corps and was posted to Cape Verde, a few hundred miles off the west African coast. Again, she found herself harassed by a man. He even showed up in her apartment. She screamed at him and he left. Then she received some devastating news from back home: one of her old college friends had died. Shaken, she went to a café to collect herself and saw a familiar face: Joao Paolo, the very man who helped her back in Germany. The stunning coincidence continues to inspire Janet's belief that no matter how difficult life gets, she is never alone.

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