Date of Award
2008
Document Type
Restricted Thesis
Terms of Use
© 2008 Marissa Davis. All rights reserved. Access to this work is restricted to users within the Swarthmore College network and may only be used for non-commercial, educational, and research purposes. Sharing with users outside of the Swarthmore College network is expressly prohibited. For all other uses, including reproduction and distribution, please contact the copyright holder.
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
History Department
First Advisor
Bruce Dorsey
Second Advisor
Robert Weinberg
Third Advisor
Marjorie Murphy
Fourth Advisor
Allison Dorsey
Abstract
In her thesis, Davis examines Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs and the Mardi Gras Indian tradition of New Orleans from the 19th century into the 21st. The performative traditions of African-American communities in New Orleans, Davis argues, have a dual function: preserving the cultural heritage while also playing a key role in community building and social organizing. Drawing primarily on interviews, this thesis looks at the significance of these traditions as well as their survival, evolution, and the effects of Hurricane Katrina on the African-American community.
Recommended Citation
Davis, Marissa , '08, "From the "Feather" to the "Umbrella": The Politics of Performance in the Mardi Gras Indian Tradition and Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs of New Orleans" (2008). Senior Theses, Projects, and Awards. 580.
https://works.swarthmore.edu/theses/580