A Walking Spirit
OffBeat Magazine|February 2020
Victor Harris, the Spirit of Fi-Yi-Yi, celebrates 55 years of beauty and culture.
Por Geraldine Wyckoff
A Walking Spirit

Victor Harris, the Spirit of Fi-Yi-Yi, remains one of the most recognizable big chiefs in the Mardi Gras Indian Nation. His style is unique in everything he pursues—the designing, the songs, the exuberant way he engages a crowd. Foremost are his magnificent beaded suits and masks that honor African culture and his love of nature.

“Truly I’m a walking spirit,” says Harris. “When people see the Spirit of Fi-Yi-Yi they feel good. They rise. I am who I am in and out of the suit.”

When Harris steps out as Big Chief of the Mandingo Warriors on Carnival Day, it will mark his amazing 55 years of masking Indian as well as perhaps his final time hitting the streets. “I would never say that I’m going to stop masking,”

Harris absolutely declares before adding that knee problems and possible surgery could prevent his notably energized wanderings on the holiday. “I’ll be involved with it and I’ll definitely be involved in making more suits. I will be doing it until I can’t do it. I would love to do it forever, honestly.”

In 1965, Harris began masking flag boy with the Yellow Pocahontas under Big Chief Allison “Tootie” Montana. “My first year it was like Indian fever—all you could think of was sew, sew, sew, Indian, Mardi Gras, Indian, Indian,” Harris excitedly remembered. That’s why, even though he and the Yellow Pocahontas parted ways some 18 years later, he still considers himself a member of Tootie’s tribe and believes that Montana would be proud that he has surpassed the renowned Chief of Chief ’s 52 years of masking Indian.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة February 2020 من OffBeat Magazine.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة February 2020 من OffBeat Magazine.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من OFFBEAT MAGAZINE مشاهدة الكل
Celebrate While We Incinerate
OffBeat Magazine

Celebrate While We Incinerate

Malevitus has never sounded weirder or more beautiful.

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2020
Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph [talks back]
OffBeat Magazine

Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph [talks back]

As eclectic as the New Orleans music scene is, it’s still hard to imagine an artist having a more diverse career than Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph, who, at the age of 31, sings in three bands that could hardly be more different.

time-read
8 mins  |
February 2020
Indie Rock's 10-Year Anniversary
OffBeat Magazine

Indie Rock's 10-Year Anniversary

New Orleans rock artists have always been a part of the city’s music scene.

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2020
THE ICEMEN COMETH
OffBeat Magazine

THE ICEMEN COMETH

THE ICEMAN SPECIAL MAKES MUSICAL MAGIC WITH A CROSS-GENERATIONAL COLLABORATION AND FAMILY TIES

time-read
10+ mins  |
March 2020
Christone ‘‘Kingfish'' Ingram talks back
OffBeat Magazine

Christone ‘‘Kingfish'' Ingram talks back

A native of Clarksdale, Mississippi, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram comes from the land of Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, John Lee Hooker and Skip James. Just turned 21, this young man with the blues respects his music’s past even as he shapes its future.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2020
Mr. Z
OffBeat Magazine

Mr. Z

Matthew Zarba is Upbeat Academy’s unflappable rap principal.

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2020
A Walking Spirit
OffBeat Magazine

A Walking Spirit

Victor Harris, the Spirit of Fi-Yi-Yi, celebrates 55 years of beauty and culture.

time-read
6 mins  |
February 2020
Playing For His Life
OffBeat Magazine

Playing For His Life

Darius Lyndsley is on a mission to turn his art into something more.

time-read
3 mins  |
February 2020
The Supreme Green Fairy
OffBeat Magazine

The Supreme Green Fairy

Tank and the Bangas reign over krewe Bohème.

time-read
10+ mins  |
February 2020
Felipe's Mexican Taqueria
OffBeat Magazine

Felipe's Mexican Taqueria

Everyone has a handful of go-to restaurants they count on for consistently delicious dining experiences.

time-read
3 mins  |
February 2020