Are Morris Dancing and Mummery as practiced in Philadelphia and Mardi Gras from New Orleans Related?
Well… looking back, you have to answer with a qualified ‘Yes’. In Short: Mummers appear to be a uniquely Philadelphian tradition but there are somewhat similar practices on a much smaller scale by different names in a few other places. Mummers dress in outrageous colorful and usually feather laden and sequined costumes and play stringed and woodwind instruments while performing in various formations or while ‘strutting’ (marching). The acts sometimes involve skits and short plays staged with portable set pieces and props. Their primary performance day is January 1. Also: Mardi Gras An Americanized version of the Rio de Janeiro Carnival to mark the beginning of Lent. The various Krewes stage separately organized parades through their cities, most famously but not exclusively New Orleans, to unveil their Royalty and often these days celebrities brought in for the occasion. The Krewes bestow gifts on the parade watchers in the form of inexpensive beads and other trinkets and sometimes c
