“Joc-a-mo-fee-no-ah-nah-nay, Joc-a-mo-fee-nah-nay” is a ritual chant used by the Mardi Gras Indians which has been around for so long the words are no longer clearly distinguishable, and it has a well understood meaning of its own. Very, very loosely translated it signifies “we mean business” or “don’t mess with us”.

What language is Iko Iko a NAE?

The song was originally called ‘Jockamo,’ and it has a lot of Creole patois in it. Jockamo means ‘jester’ in the old myth. It is Mardi Gras music, and the Shaweez was one of many Mardi Gras groups who dressed up in far out Indian costumes and came on as Indian tribes.

What is the meaning behind the song Iko Iko?

Iko Iko’ was like a victory chant that the Indians would shout. ‘Jock-A-Mo’ was a chant that was called when the Indians went into battle. I just put them together and made a song out of them.

Who first sang Iko Iko?

Iko Iko was released in 1953 by New Orleans native James Crawford, under his stage name, Sugar Boy and his Canecutters. The song, which was originally entitled Jockamo, tells a story of two tribes of Mardi Gras Indians in New Orleans who feud with each other before a parade.