Zulu
I lost the plot. I never had one for this series, but now that it’s developing, I see that I should have begun with Skull + Bone and worked my way through the Treme Indians. This would have led us naturally to Zulu. I’ve read that the best place to catch Zulu and the Indians together is where North Claiborne and Orleans avenues intersect. I don’t think they formally parade together, but the 30 or 40 Indians tribes probably walk with Zulu, at least for a while.
I remember going to Mardi Gras with friends from Atlanta in the early ’80s. We arrived on the Sunday night before Mardi Gras, and my friends were disappointed in the Monday because they thought the party would continue from the weekend. Traditionally, it had been a nice breather from the all-weekend party, but for tourists it was a bit strange. So in 1987 Zulu began their Lundi Gras Festival on the River Walk of the Mississippi. That festival culminates in the meeting of the King of Zulu with Rex, the King of Mardi Gras, who arrives in the Spanish Plaza by boat. The mayor hands over the keys of the city to the two monarchs, who formally proclaim Mardi Gras a holiday.
One of the characters in Zulu is Mr. Big Stuff, inspired by the hit song I’m featuring here. Mr. Big Stuff tries to outshine The Big Shot, who tries to outshine the King of Zulu. Some of these traditions are new additions, but the archetypes run real, real deep. You can read about Zulu on their website here.
P.S. The more adventurous of you may want to explore the spirit of the Zulu through another character: “The Witch Doctor” by Armand Van Helden. (I don’t know why this link shows those stupid lyrics, there ARE no lyrics to this song, but whatever. Go Spotify.)
Venezia : 23 February 2017
Jean Knight
Mr. Big Stuff
August 13, 2023
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