Editing Spirit possession (section)

===Mardi Gras Indians===

In [[New Orleans|New Orleans, Louisiana]] the practice of spirit possession continues in the cultural traditions of [[Mardi Gras Indians]]. Mardi Gras Indians are [[African Americans]] that practice a masking creole tradition that combines Native American traditions from Louisiana, [[Traditional African masks|West African masking]] traditions, and [[List of Caribbean carnivals around the world|Afro-Caribbean carnival]] practices. During Mardi Gras, some Black maskers wear masks and suits (regalia) to invite the spirits and gods to possess them. This is a continued African tradition of spirit communication and possession.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Roy |first1=Ariel |title="The Freedom to Express Yourself:"The National Park Service and the African Diasporic Roots of Black Dance in New Orleans |journal=University of New Orleans Thesis and Dissertations |date=2023 |pages=30, 45 |url=https://scholarworks.uno.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4319&context=td/ |access-date=12 November 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Chester |first1=Tim |title=Stunning Portraits of New Orleans's Black Masking Indians |url=https://www.afar.com/magazine/stunning-portraits-of-new-orleanss-black-masking-indians |website=AFAR |date=April 9, 2019 |access-date=12 November 2024}}</ref> Masking Indian "Big Chief" [[Allison Montana]] said: "...You're dancing with a spirit, with a feeling. If there are five or six chiefs in my practice, I'll out dance all of them until they short-winded and they have to run outside looking for air. I'll still be on the dance floor soaking wet. Look like I can't stop. My duty was to out dance every one of them. I'm just dancing with a spirit. I'm not just dancing to be dancing."<ref>{{cite web |title=He's The Prettiest: A Tribute To Big Chief Allison "Tootie" Montana's 50 Years Of Mardi Gras Indian Suiting |url=https://www.louisianafolklife.org/lt/virtual_books/hes_prettiest/hes_the_prettiest_tootie_montana.html |website=Folklife In Louisiana |publisher=Louisiana Division of Arts |access-date=12 November 2024}}</ref>