Iko Iko
We have all heard a traditional Black Masking Indian song at one time or another, though most are not aware of it. One of the most mainstream songs learned by many as a child is Iko Iko. However, this version misappropriates the original song written by New Orleans Native James "Sugar Boy" Crawford in remembrance of an Indian Chant he frequently heard as a child. Bands such as the Rolling Stones and Grateful Dead have covered the song in its sixty-year history. The original song was titled Chock-a-mo, which was misheard and translated to Jockomo. The Black Masking Indians have used this chant for ages, and the origin is an excellent subject of debate. Many believe the origin of Chick-a-ma-feeno comes from a Choctaw Native American chant. In addition, Iko Iko is considered a triumphant war chant or a warning. As a whole, the chant is a ceremonial taunt used when approaching another tribe, "Oh, my spy boy met your spy boy, Sittin' by the fire. My spy boy told your spy boy, "I'm gonna set your flag on fire."
Photo By: John McCusker. 2013 Spy Boy of Buffalo Hunters, Jay Williams.
Shallow Water
All the Big Chiefs lead a call-and-response type chant. Favorites such as "Shallow Water" and "Two Way Bac A Way" are universal to the tribes, and each has a specific meaning. Big Chief "Sunpie" Barnes of the Skull and Bone gang says, "Shallow Water," is to say it's nothing or no big deal; this battle will be like walking through shallow water when approaching another tribe. "Two Way Bac a Way" or "Two Way Pock a Way" (spelling variations are common) essentially means you go that way, and I'll go this way when tribes want to pass one another. The songs tell a story, such as "Sew, Sew, Sew," which tells the story of an Indian constructing his suit, "Somebody gotta Sew, Sew Sew…".
Farewell
For generations, the existence of the Indians themselves and the music of the Indians was virtually unknown to anyone outside of New Orleans. In the 1970s, the tides began to turn, and out of the shadows, these prominent, beautiful Black Masking Indians, in all their glory, slowly emerged to be recognized. Big Chiefs, such as Bo Dilis Sr., recorded albums, putting a new funky spin on their traditional music. Chief of Chiefs, Big Chief Allison “Tootie” Montana, would be honored by the National Endowment for the Arts for his skill and mastery as a folk artist, which brings back to Indian Red.
Indian Red is meant to uplift and recognize each tribe member and their contributions to the tribe and community; it is, above all, a prayer for the Black Masking Indians, sort of like saying safe home or safe return to a traveler on his way. Never had it held so much meaning, honor, and sorrow as it did on the day Big Chief Tootie Montana passed from this world. Standing before the New Orleans City Council to once again defend all of the tribes of New Orleans, the Chief of Chiefs suffered a heart attack. The entire room, filled with Indians, sang him on his way with “Indian Red.” The Icon, Big Chief Allison “Tootie” Montana, died at the age of 82 on a hot July day in 2005, precisely the way he lived, fighting for and alongside his fellow Indians to end discriminatory behavior.