It isn’t really Mardi Gras until the Northside Skull and Bone comes knocking on your door.
This group of decorated locals is considered the official kickoff of the holiday. At dawn’s break on Mardi Gras day, the members of the Skull and Bone Gang take to the streets to spread good cheer – and a certain message that reminds us what Mardi Gras is really about.
A Brief History
For over 200 years, members of the Northside Skull and Bone Gang have given the Treme neighborhood just beyond the French Quarter a new vision of Mardi Gras. Since 1819, the gang has focused on the true meaning of Carnival, which is “the shedding of the flesh.”
The group’s roots trace back to the African American spirituality that influenced much of the culture in modern New Orleans. According to gang leader Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes, the gang gathers on Mardi Gras morning to “bring our family’s spirits back from the cemetery” and call to “all of the ancient African spirits and invite them to take a walk with us.”
On the Day of Mardi Gras
Beginning at 5:00 am on the morning of Mardi Gras, members leave the Backstreet Cultural Museum in full costume and armed with drums. They make their way door to door to wake up residents and share a message of peace – with an overtone of warning:
“If you don’t live right, the Bone Man is commin’ for ya.”
“Live a fruitful life! Do unto others as they will do unto to you.”
In true Mardi Gras fashion, the elaborate masks and costumes make it difficult to tell who’s who. It could be your local restaurateur, postal carrier, or neighbor – but there’s never any way to tell, which only adds to their intrigue.
The vibrant details reflect the grandeur of the Mardi Gras Krewes, but with a macabre twist. Just as their name implies, their costumes resemble skeletons, infusing the song of their ancestors with a tradition that will continue well past their 200th anniversary this year.
To see the Northside Skull and Bone Gang in all their glory, head to the Backstreet Cultural Museum on the morning of Mardi Gras and watch a piece of living history unfold before your eyes.