What? BantUGent research seminar in collaboration with the Global and Regional Histories research group
When? Tuesday 16 June, 2026
Time: 14.00-16.00
Where? Faculteitsraadzaal, Blandijn, Campus Boekentoren
'From the Kingdom of Kongo to Congo Square: Kongo Dances and the Origins of the Mardi Gras Indians'
This presentation focuses on one of New Orleans’ most enigmatic performance traditions, the Mardi Gras Indians. By interpreting the tradition in an Atlantic context, Dewulf traces the “Black Indians” back to the ancient Kingdom of Kongo and its war dance known as sanga(mento). By comparing Kongo dances in Latin America, the Caribbean and Louisiana, Dewulf demonstrates that the dances on New Orleans’ Congo Square were part of a much broader Kongolese performance tradition. Dewulf’s groundbreaking research suggests a strong impact of Kongolese traditions on the development of African-American music, dance, and parading culture.