Allison Montana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tootie Montana
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Statue of Montana in Louis Armstrong Park (New Orleans)
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| Born |
Allison Montana
December 16, 1922 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
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| Died | June 27, 2005 (aged 82) New Orleans, Louisiana
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| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Tootie |
| Occupation | Lather |
| Years active | 1940s–2005 |
| Known for | Chief of Mardi Gras Indian Chiefs |
| Spouse(s) | Joyce Francis |
| Awards | National Heritage Fellowship, 1987 |
Chief Allison "Tootie" Montana (born December 16, 1922 – died June 27, 2005) was a very important person in New Orleans culture. He worked as a lather, which means he built frames for plaster walls. For over 50 years, he was known as the "chief of chiefs" for the Mardi Gras Indians.
Tootie is famous in the Mardi Gras Indian world because he changed their culture. Before him, it was often violent. Tootie was the Big Chief of the Yellow Pocahontas Tribe. He helped turn the Mardi Gras Indian tradition into a beautiful show of costumes and dance, instead of fights.
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What are Mardi Gras Indians?
The Mardi Gras Indians have a long history that goes back to the time of slavery in New Orleans. When enslaved people escaped, many found safety with Indigenous people. The traditions of the Mardi Gras Indians, like dressing up in special suits during Mardi Gras, are a way to honor these Indigenous people who helped their ancestors.
Originally, some Mardi Gras Indian groups would have fights over areas of the city. These fights were sometimes called "humbugs." Carnival day was a time when these groups might try to get revenge on each other. Someone might disguise themselves in a costume to blend in with the crowd. Then they would attack the person they were looking for. After the attack, they would quickly change clothes in a nearby bar.
Tootie Montana was very upset by this violence. He felt it disrespected the culture that their ancestors had created. He often came home after Carnival with his suit damaged and himself hurt from fights. Tootie spoke out against this violence. He wanted the Mardi Gras Indians to compete with music and dance instead. His wife, Joyce Montana, said that Tootie was the first to say, "stop fighting with your guns, and begin fighting with your suits and minds."
Tootie's Early Life and Changes
Tootie's great-uncle, Becate Batiste, was the first Creole person to dress up with the Indians. Becate later started his own Mardi Gras Indian tribe called the Creole Wild West. Tootie's father, Alfred Montana, also dressed up with the Mardi Gras Indians. This gave Tootie a chance to learn about the culture from a young age.
Even though his parents divorced when he was eight, Tootie and his father stayed close because of their shared love for masking. Alfred helped Tootie make his first few costumes.
Alfred helped Tootie build his crown for the first two years. But one year, his father delivered the crown very late. This made Tootie decide to start making his own crowns. Before World War II, Tootie became known as the Big Chief of the Yellow Creole Pocahontas tribe. In 1947, he started a new tribe called The Monogram Hunters with his friends. During this time, Tootie began to change how masking was done.
Chief of Chiefs: A New Tradition
As Tootie became a very famous Chief, he changed the look of the Indian suits. They used to be plain, but Tootie made them beautiful with beads, feathers, and sequins. He used bright colors and ostrich feathers to show his pride. He was known for his amazing patterns made with beads. Many people looked forward to seeing his new designs each year.
Tootie helped stop the violence among Mardi Gras Indians. He replaced it with friendly competitions of beauty and showmanship. He believed that if someone spent months making a detailed suit, they would avoid fights to keep their suit from getting ruined. In the late 1950s, Tootie became Big Chief of the Yellow Creole Pocahontas tribe again.
On Carnival day, the Chief marches at the back of his tribe. People who are not in costume, called a "second line," follow behind. A "Spyboy" walks a block or two ahead of the tribe. The Spyboy signals to the "Flagboy" if the path ahead is clear. The Flagboy then tells the Chief. The Chief then decides which way to go. Mardi Gras Indians don't follow a set path, so it's hard to know exactly where they will be each year.
When two tribes meet on the same path, they used to have a battle. Now, these battles are no longer violent. Instead, they involve chanting and dancing. It's an informal competition to see which Chief has the "prettiest" suit. The chants are in a special language. They can tell a story, share an experience, or playfully challenge the other tribe. Thanks to Tootie's work, the relationships between the tribes are now peaceful.
In 1982, Tootie said, "Now, people run to the Mardi Gras Indians; back in the day, people would run from them." In 1987, Tootie received the National Heritage Fellowship. This is the highest honor the United States government gives for folk and traditional arts. Tootie continued to mask as Chief until 1998, when his son Darryl took over as Chief of The Yellow Pocahontas Tribe. At 78 years old, Tootie was the oldest Mardi Gras Indian who had continuously masked. In 1995, he proudly said, "I am the oldest, I am the best, and I am the prettiest." He only missed masking one year between 1947 and 2005, which was in 1986.
Later Life and Legacy
After his son took over the Yellow Pocahontas Tribe, Tootie kept making suits and masking during Carnival until he was 82 years old. This means he masked for a total of 52 years! As he got older, he couldn't walk as easily, so a cart would pull him along with his tribe. He continued to create beautiful, bright suits that always attracted large crowds on Super Sunday.
On March 19, 2005, during a parade on Saint Joseph's Day night, Mardi Gras Indians faced problems with the police. The police blocked the road and caused the crowds to scatter. Tootie had experienced similar issues with police since he started masking in the 1940s.
On June 27, 2005, Tootie was giving a speech at the New Orleans City Council Chamber. He was speaking out against how the NOPD treated the Mardi Gras Indians. In the middle of his speech, Tootie had a heart attack and passed away. At his funeral, different tribes from all over the city gathered. They sang, danced, and honored Tootie, the Big Creole Chief, the Chief of Chiefs.
Personal Life
For most of his life, Montana worked as a lather. This job involved building wood or metal frames that plaster would be put on. He was a member of St. Augustine Church in the Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans.
In 1956, Montana married Joyce Francis. She never masked with the Mardi Gras Indians herself, but she helped Tootie with his amazing suits over the years.
