02-08-2006, 10:24 PM
http://www.wwltv.com/
Krewe of Zulu bringing in authentic Zulu warriors from Africa for parade
10:23 AM CST on Wednesday, February 8, 2006
Dennis Woltering / WWL-TV News Reporter
When Zulu rolls on Fat Tuesday, the krewe plans to offer a unique attraction this year: actual Zulu warriors from Africa.
Local float builder Blaine Kern said he wanted to accomplish something that Roy Glapion, the late City Councilman and Zulu President, had often talked about by recruiting a group of Zulu warriors to parade in Mardi Gras.
“Roy Glapion was a dear friend...And I knew this is what he wanted to do,” Kern said.
During a December trip to South Africa, Kern took home video of Zulu warriors performing a ceremonial dance and was inspired to achieve his friend’s long-time goal.
In response, the Zulus contacted Kern to let him know that 20 warriors would indeed be in town for Mardi Gras so they could parade with the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club.
“When Blaine told me he was trying to get ‘em, I really didn’t believe he could do it,” said Zulu President Charles Hamilton. “But when he called me last night and told me that they’re coming, we’re really looking forward it. It should be a real hit and it'll be an exchange of cultures.”
Jimmie Felder, Zulu parade chairman, called the announcement “fantastic” and said the aid would provide a “big boost” for the club.
Edwin Lombard, Fourth Circuit Appeal Court Judge and Zulu member, said his own notions and understanding of the Zulu warriors were changed when he was in South Africa to monitor that country’s elections in 1995.
Lombard said apart from their ceremonial performances, the Zulus of today have a much different style and image.
“There was all these beautiful, huge cars, and I asked a guy at the desk, ‘what do we have here?’ And he said, ‘Zulus are meeting upstairs.’ There were Mercedes and Rolls Royces; that was the business council of Zulu,” Lombard said.
But the Zulu warriors will bring their ceremonial dances to Mardi Gras this year, and Blaine Kern promised it will be quite a show.
“They actually do a thing called the ‘Gumbu dance’ and they stomp the ground and clash their spears, they’re fierce looking, I guarantee you…they will make a hit,” Kern said.
This was not the first time Kern has tried to bring Zulu warriors to New Orleans. Lombard said 20 years ago he, Kern and others planned a trip to South Africa to recruit the warriors. Unfortunately, it led to a lot of controversy.
“There were some civil rights leaders who said that we were supporting apartheid, that we were racists. And that if we went to South Africa it would send the wrong message, even though about two months before our invitation, Jesse Jackson had gone to South Africa,” Lombard said.
With apartheid a thing of the past in South Africa, the Zulu warriors will finally be able to come across the Atlantic to take part in Carnival. And even though some critics argue New Orleans shouldn't have a Mardi Gras, Kern, Hamilton and Lombard disagree.
“I say we have to parade…because we are part of the city,” Hamilton said. “The City needs the economic boost and we feel Zulu can provide that boost to the city.”
Lombard said New Orleans needs to carry on with Mardi Gras to show the world that the city is alive and kicking.
And after parading down St. Charles Avenue to Canal Street, Zulu members will double back to the Superdome where they will leave their floats and—along with the Zulu warriors—then second line to Zulu's headquarters on Broad Street.
Krewe of Zulu bringing in authentic Zulu warriors from Africa for parade
10:23 AM CST on Wednesday, February 8, 2006
Dennis Woltering / WWL-TV News Reporter
When Zulu rolls on Fat Tuesday, the krewe plans to offer a unique attraction this year: actual Zulu warriors from Africa.
Local float builder Blaine Kern said he wanted to accomplish something that Roy Glapion, the late City Councilman and Zulu President, had often talked about by recruiting a group of Zulu warriors to parade in Mardi Gras.
“Roy Glapion was a dear friend...And I knew this is what he wanted to do,” Kern said.
During a December trip to South Africa, Kern took home video of Zulu warriors performing a ceremonial dance and was inspired to achieve his friend’s long-time goal.
In response, the Zulus contacted Kern to let him know that 20 warriors would indeed be in town for Mardi Gras so they could parade with the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club.
“When Blaine told me he was trying to get ‘em, I really didn’t believe he could do it,” said Zulu President Charles Hamilton. “But when he called me last night and told me that they’re coming, we’re really looking forward it. It should be a real hit and it'll be an exchange of cultures.”
Jimmie Felder, Zulu parade chairman, called the announcement “fantastic” and said the aid would provide a “big boost” for the club.
Edwin Lombard, Fourth Circuit Appeal Court Judge and Zulu member, said his own notions and understanding of the Zulu warriors were changed when he was in South Africa to monitor that country’s elections in 1995.
Lombard said apart from their ceremonial performances, the Zulus of today have a much different style and image.
“There was all these beautiful, huge cars, and I asked a guy at the desk, ‘what do we have here?’ And he said, ‘Zulus are meeting upstairs.’ There were Mercedes and Rolls Royces; that was the business council of Zulu,” Lombard said.
But the Zulu warriors will bring their ceremonial dances to Mardi Gras this year, and Blaine Kern promised it will be quite a show.
“They actually do a thing called the ‘Gumbu dance’ and they stomp the ground and clash their spears, they’re fierce looking, I guarantee you…they will make a hit,” Kern said.
This was not the first time Kern has tried to bring Zulu warriors to New Orleans. Lombard said 20 years ago he, Kern and others planned a trip to South Africa to recruit the warriors. Unfortunately, it led to a lot of controversy.
“There were some civil rights leaders who said that we were supporting apartheid, that we were racists. And that if we went to South Africa it would send the wrong message, even though about two months before our invitation, Jesse Jackson had gone to South Africa,” Lombard said.
With apartheid a thing of the past in South Africa, the Zulu warriors will finally be able to come across the Atlantic to take part in Carnival. And even though some critics argue New Orleans shouldn't have a Mardi Gras, Kern, Hamilton and Lombard disagree.
“I say we have to parade…because we are part of the city,” Hamilton said. “The City needs the economic boost and we feel Zulu can provide that boost to the city.”
Lombard said New Orleans needs to carry on with Mardi Gras to show the world that the city is alive and kicking.
And after parading down St. Charles Avenue to Canal Street, Zulu members will double back to the Superdome where they will leave their floats and—along with the Zulu warriors—then second line to Zulu's headquarters on Broad Street.