2024-02-13_12-55-48_ILCE-7CM2_DSCCQ5308

            Travel to NOLA - February 2024 - Krewe Of Zulu 

Early in 1909, a group of laborers in a club named ?The Tramps? went to the Pythian Theater to see a musical comedy that included a skit entitled, 'There Never Was and Never Will Be a King Like Me' about the Zulu Tribe. According to legend, after seeing the skit, they retired to their meeting place (a room in the rear of a restaurant/bar in the 1100 block of Perdido Street), and emerged as Zulus. The rest, as they say, is history. Years of extensive research by Zulu's staff of historians, however, seem to indicate that Zulu's beginning was much more complicated than that.

Conversations and interviews with older members indicate that, back in the day, the city was divided into wards, and each ward had its own group or ?Club.? The Tramps were one such group. The group that founded Zulu was probably made up of both members from the Tramps and other ward-based groups and members of a Benevolent Aid Society. Benevolent Societies were the first forms of insurance in the Black community. For a small amount of dues, members received financial help when they got sick or there was a funeral to pay for. 

While the men marched in Mardi Gras as early as 1901, their first appearance as Zulus came in 1909, with William Story as King. The group wore raggedy pants, and had a Jubilee-singing quartet in front of and behind King Story. His costume of 'lard can' crown and 'banana stalk' scepter has been well-documented. The Kings following William Story in the early days were similarly attired.

The year 1915 heralded the first use of floats, constructed on a spring wagon, using dry good boxes. The float was decorated with palmetto leaves and moss and carried four Dukes along with the King. That humble beginning gave rise to the lavish floats we see in the Zulu parade today.

Today Zulu is famous for their coconut throw ? quite possibly the most coveted throw in all of Mardi Gras. Zulu?s honor guard is called the Soulful Warriors; and they have characters including Big Shot, Witch Doctor, Ambassador, Mayor, Province Prince, Governor and Mr. Big Stuff.

The most famous Krewe of Zulu king was Louis Armstrong who reigned in 1949.

    Year founded:  1909
    Membership:  1500 male riders
    Signature throw:  hand decorated coconuts

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Taken in: United States / Louisiana / New Orleans / Storyville (show map)

Taken on: February 13, 2024

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172 Mm

2024

Etats-Unis

Focal Length - 172 Mm

Focal Length In 35mm Format - 172 Mm

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Iso 100

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Krewe Of Zulu

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Parade

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Sony Ilce-7cm2

Sony Ilce-7cm2 E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071

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Sets appears in: • 2024-02-13 Travel to NOLA - February 2024#Krewe Of Zulu • Travel to NOLA - February 2024 more » • Camera - SONY ILCE-7CM2 E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071 « less

Camera: Sony ILCE-7CM2, f/5.6, 1/500 sec, 172mm, ISO 100 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Sony ILCE-7CM2
Aperture:	f/5.6
Exposure Time:	0.002 sec (1/500)
Focal Length:	172mm
ISO:	100
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	ILCE-7CM2 v1.01
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