New Year's Traditions: The Philadelphia Mummers Parade

The Philadelphia Mummers Parade 1909 (Courtesy of Library of Congress)

 

 

The Mummers parade is held each New Year’s Day in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is believed to be the oldest folk festival in the US. The word “mummer” is derived from Momus, the Greek god of ridicule. The origins of the parade were inspired by Old World customs brought by the various groups who settled in Philadelphia, including the folk plays of the British Isles called Mummers’ Plays and the Swedish and Finnish custom of visiting neighbors after Christmas. The parade began as early as the 1870s, but it was not officially sponsored by the city for a number of years. The first official parade occurred in 1901, and it has grown into a unique and exciting tradition. 

 

Images from the Mummers Parade 1917 (from The Philadelphia Evening Ledger, 01/01/1917)

Many Philadelphians welcome friends and family on New Year’s Day to watch the parade (in person or on TV), and to eat and drink together. Staying warm is a priority; alcohol flows freely, and big pots of soup are often made to feed hungry guests who may be walking back and forth to the parade or visiting other friends and neighbors. Traditional soups include beef vegetable soup and Pepper Pot, made with beef tripe, vegetables, and black pepper.   

Edward Chevers, Musical Director, Lobster Club
(from The Philadelphia Evening Ledger, 01/01/1915)

Mummer's Parade 2011 (Photo by Carol M. Highsmith, courtesy of Library of Congress)

Most Mummers clubs are based in South Philadelphia, but a number of Mummers today (and their fans) live in other parts of Philadelphia and the local suburbs. Mummers are ordinary people, not professional entertainers, but they put a lot of love and dedication into creating elaborate costumes, routines and movable scenery each year, and feel a strong commitment to their community. 

Mummer's Parade 2011 (Photo by Carol M. Highsmith, courtesy of Library of Congress)

The famous “Mummers’ Strut”, is performed traditionally during the parade, and at many local weddings. Often Mummers carry an umbrella or parasol while doing the Strut.  

Charles Dumont, Lobster Club Captain Who Won Prize For Fancy Costume
(from The Philadelphia Evening Ledger, 01/01/1915)

Costumes are brightly colored, and decorated extravagantly with sequins and feathers; face paint is often worn. Traditionally the Mummers, their wives and friends made the costumes, but many of them are now made by professional costumers. Gold colored shoes are often worn, in reference to the parade’s unofficial theme song, “Oh Dem Golden Slippers” by James A. Bland. 

Click here to watch parade goers strut to "Golden Slippers" by the Quaker City String Band 2009 

Another favorite Mummers tune is “I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover, written by Mort Dixon with music by Harry M. Woods.

Click here to watch the Mummers Strut, to the Tune of "I'm Looking Over A Four Leaf Clover" 

Mummer's Parade 2011 (Photo by Carol M. Highsmith, courtesy of Library of Congress)

Women were not allowed to be Mummers until the 1970s, but some men have historically dressed in women’s clothes during the parade. In recent years, this has mainly been done by the humorous Wench Brigades, who clearly look like men in costume. But early 20^th century pictures, such as the ones below which appeared in The Philadelphia Evening Ledger on January 1, 1915, show men at the parade wearing fashionable dresses and shoes, more like modern female impersonators.

Charles Bell, Famous for His Ballet Girl Impersonation

E.W Dillon of Lobster Club

Clubs today compete in one of five categories called Divisions (Comics, Wench Brigades, Fancies, String Bands and Fancy Brigades).

• The Comics dress as humorous characters or clowns, wearing colorful costumes and often carrying decorated parasols. They may be individual or group performers and children are often involved in this Division. Comics dance to prerecorded music and sometimes use floats. Often they reference politics and popular culture.
• The Wench Brigades are now their own Division but began as an offshoot of the Comics. Men dress humorously in women’s clothing, traditionally wearing dresses, bloomers and bonnets over long braided wigs. They often carry parasols and wear “golden slippers”.
• The Fancy Division focuses on elaborate costumes and floats called frame suits, and participants are judged on costume and presentation. Traditional themes are used and categories include King Clown, King Jockey, Handsome Trim, Handsome Costume and Fancy Trio.
• Mummers String Bands have a unique sound, combining excellent musicianship and elaborate costumes. The instruments that make up a string band are saxophones, banjos, accordions, violins, bass violins, drums and glockenspiel; no brass instruments are allowed. Each string band selects an annual theme, with an elaborate performance that includes precision drilling and choreography.
• The Fancy Brigades evolved from the Fancy Division. They perform inside, and present a choreographed four and a half minute themed performance with elaborate costumes, sets and props, and dancing reminiscent of a Broadway or Las Vegas Show.

Costumes at The Mummers Museum, Philadelphia, PA (Photo by Carol M. Highsmith, Library of Congress)

Visit www.phillymummers.com to find out more. The Mummers Museum website www.mummersmuseum.com also contains many photos and information about the Mummers past and present. Individual clubs also have their own websites

 

Youngest New Year Mummer in Parade Today--"Buddy" Backich 3 yrs. old, Mascot of the Lobster Club
(from The Philadelphia Evening Ledger, 01/01/1915)

Many modern traditions at the holiday season have ancient origins and symbolism. At the winter solstice, in the darkest and coldest days of the year, people have always craved light, warmth and fellowship. From the European pagan Yule and the Roman Saturnalia to the Jewish Hanukkah and the Christian and (often secular) Christmas, these celebrations have helped people to pass the long nights, connect to one another, and offer hope for the future and the spiritual triumph of light over darkness. Of course, for people living in the Southern hemisphere, the holidays fall in summer, instead of winter.  

Mummer's Parade 2011 (Photo by Carol M. Highsmith, courtesy of Library of Congress)

  

During Saturnalia, the ancient Roman festival in honor of the deity Saturn, which was held in December, there were religious observances and well as public and private festivals. Schools and courts were closed and special clothes were worn. There was feasting, drinking and gift-giving and a general carnival-like atmosphere. Roman social norms were temporarily overturned. For example, gambling was permitted and slaves were waited upon by their masters.

The Philadelphia Mummers Parade 1909 (Courtesy of Library of Congress)

Many later European and American holiday customs grew from the spirit and traditions of the ancient festival of Saturnalia, as well as from Christian religious inspiration. The following article from 1914 gives an overview of some of the origins of what came to be known as “mummery” in Britain and Ireland, part of the historical roots of the  Philadelphia Mummers and other American New Year’s traditions.

Float from the Mummers Parade 1915
(from The Philadelphia Evening Ledger, 01/01/1915)

Happy New Year Customs— Celebrations of the Mummers in Olden Days in England

In England the mummers performed plays, spoke dialogues and impersonated famous people, especially kings and warriors. Songs were sung both by the mummers and their entertainers. Here is one:

To shorten winter's sadness

See where the folks with gladneas

Disguised all are a-coming

Right wantonly a-mumming.

In those days they loved, too, to masquerade as animals, bears and unicorns being especially favored disguises. Scott's couplet summed it up:

Who lists may in their mumming see

Traces of ancient minstrelsy.

At last this mumming came to be a (seen as) a menace as well as a nuisance and (in the 16^th Century) King Henry VIII made it a misdemeanor to wear a mask. 

It was George Washington who made the day what it once was in this country. Said he: "Never forget the cheerful and cordial observance of New Year's day." The celebration grew and grew, until a generation or so ago, the scenes enacted at some receptions were simply disgraceful, society having progressed some since it was good form to imbibe until the imbiber quietly slid under the table. 

Of late years there has been a tendency to revive (the custom of) visiting on the first day of the year. But it is all very informal, and every hostess knows each and every one of her guests, which was not always the ease when it was the fashion to have as many as possible…

--from the Anderson Daily Intelligencer,

Anderson, S.C., 12/18/1914

Traditional Foods-- Before Lent Begins

Carnival in Berlin, Germany (source)

 

 

Tomorrow, Tuesday February 9, is the day before Ash Wednesday. Known by many names (Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Tuesday,), it is the day before the Christian season of Lent begins. It is the culmination of the traditional Carnival season, celebrated in most famously in New Orleans, and in many other places around the world. In New Orleans, it is an exciting annual event marked by costumes, beads, parties, parades and excessive eating and drinking. There are many local customs and traditions around the world, and most are far more sedate, but involve foods considered rich and decadent.

German Doughnuts, Similar to Pennsylvania Dutch Fastnachts (source)

"Shrove Tuesday" is derived from the word shrive, meaning confession and absolution of sins. It is observed by many Christians, and is intended to be a day of reflection, examination of conscience, and asking for God's forgiveness and assistance to live a better life. Traditionally, Christians have observed the season of Lent, the forty days leading up to Easter, by engaging in fasting and prayer, giving to charity, and by living more simply in order to come closer to God. For example, Catholics fast during the day of Ash Wednesday, and eat a light meat-free meal for dinner. They also abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent. Many Christians observe Lent by eating more modestly, minimizing meats and sweets. Today many people give up something that they consider to be a "vice" for Lent, such as smoking, drinking or eating chocolate, and develop healthier habits as a result. Traditionally on Shrove Tuesday, people have indulged on fattening and delicious foods, such as doughnuts and pancakes, made to use up the last of the sugar, lard, butter and other fats, which would be avoided for the next several weeks.

Eating Donut by Ryan McGuire (source)

In Southeastern Pennsylvania where I live, the Pennsylvania Dutch tradition of Fastnacht (or Fasnacht) Day is alive and well. It began with the original German settlers of this region, and today is enjoyed by people of various backgrounds. These doughnuts can be round, but are usually square, or triangularly shaped, and normally do not have a hole. Some recipes are made with mashed potatoes; some use yeast and some do not. They are usually dusted with powdered or granulated sugar. Some churches use Fastnacht day as a fundraising opportunity, selling the traditional doughnuts, and holding church socials. Variations of these doughnuts can be widely found in area bakeries and supermarkets, and someone invariably brings a bunch of these doughnuts to every workplace on Fastnacht Day!

 

 Pennsylvania Dutch Kitchen (1942) Courtesy of Library of Congress

There are other delicious doughnuts and similar foods that are traditional on Shrove Tuesday, including New Orleans' famous Beignets and the jelly-filled Polish Paczki. A wonderful article with historical information and  traditional recipes for these and other Fat Tuesday delights is called Fat Tuesday: The Many Different Doughnuts of Mardi Gras. It is found on npr.org. Please click on the following link to this article: http://www.npr.org/2014/02/26/282908382/fat-tuesday-the-many-different-doughnuts-of-mardi-gras#fasnacht

Beignets and Coffee by Tahoemike10 (source)

In The UK, Ireland, Australia and Canada, Shrove Tuesday is traditionally observed as Pancake Tuesday. Many Americans continue to also follow this custom, and numerous churches hold special pancake suppers in celebration. It is especially common among Episcopal churches. The following is adapted from an article which appeared in The Delineator in February 1921. It features some unusual pancake recipes and suggestions to give variety to Pancake Tuesday and to meals year-round.

"Pancake Tuesday" falls on February the eighth this year (1921), as the Lenten season begins on the ninth,  ushered in with Ash Wednesday, the first day of fasting. It may be well to explain that this jolly-sounding name for the day before Ash Wednesday is now almost forgotten, as Mardi-Gras...,the French for "fat Tuesday" is the popular name and stands sponsor for the many Mardi-Gras carnivals held on that day.

Heart Shaped Pancakes -Photo by Cbaquiran (source)

Such feasting and revelry have quite supplanted the baking of Shrove Tuesday pancakes and having them ready to serve to the itinerant singers who roamed through the streets on the night before lent. The revival of this name gives the wide-awake housewife a good excuse to do a little experimenting to see what can be done in the way of pancakes other than the ordinary breakfast-table variety. 

Potato Pancakes

 A good way to begin is to introduce your family to the vegetable pancake served with the main course of the meal. The potato pancake stands out prominently in this list of vegetable pancakes and is always a favorite with the men of the family. With pot roast and plenty of brown gravy, there is little else to be desired at a meal than crispy-edged potato pancakes. (To make:) Pare, wash and put into cold water three large potatoes. Let soak overnight if convenient, but at least three or four hours. Grate them into a bowl and add one well-beaten egg, one-half cup flour and one teaspoon baking-powder. Season with salt and pepper and add milk to make a pouring batter. Bake like ordinary pancakes on a griddle and serve with sausage, stew or ham with a cream gravy. These potato pancakes are also good with syrup, sugar or jelly.

 Sweet Potato Pancakes

Sweet potato pancakes are delicious when served with chicken or veal. The same recipe for white potatoes may be followed, or for a change, try finely-chopped boiled sweet potatoes stirred into an ordinary batter until it will take no more.

Photo by Holgers Fotografie (source)

Tomato and Rice

Tomato and rice make such a delicious combination that it is well to try them in the novel form of a somehat thick pancake as an accompaniment to "Liberty Steak", which is the after-the-war name for "Hamburg". Place a portion of the steak on a tomato-rice pancake and pour a generous tablespoon of savory tomato sauce over all.

Corn Pancakes

Canned corn is excellent made into thick pancakes and served in the same way, as the tomato sauce beings out the flavor of the meat. This arrangement makes an attractive-looking platter for the table, as the meat cakes may be placed on the pancakes and the thick tomato sauce, garnished with parsley, used as a border.

Apple Pancakes

Apple pancakes as an accompaniment to roast pork or pork chops are always greeted as a welcome change from apple sauce. These are made in two ways, one by the addition of as much finely chopped raw tart apple as the batter will take. The other method results in a cake more like an apple fritter, as a thin slice cut from a pared and cored apple is taken up with each spoon of batter.

Poster 1918 (Courtesy of Library of Congress)

Holland Pancakes With Sausage Meat

Just because the rolled pancake is generally associated with jelly or some other sweet filling, there is no reason to limit these fancy pancakes to the list of deserts. A popular tea-room has built up a reputation for a delicious breakfast dish which is nothing more nor less than a novel way of serving griddle-cakes and sausage. Here's the way it is done: A rather large, thin pancake is first brushed with fat from the pan in which the sausage meat has been cooking. This is an advantage in this as it saves butter! Then hot sausage-meat is spread over one side of the pancake and it is quickly rolled and laid on a hot platter waiting for its mate, as two of these constitute a portion. If there is not too much filling and the rolled pancake is laid with lapping side next to the plate, there is no chance of it unrolling. For luncheon or supper spread the pancake with creamed ham or chicken, a savory force-meat (chopped meat)  or any other appetizing mixture made from left-overs. Roll each pancake quickly and keep at the door of the oven until all are ready.

Fort Kent, Maine. (vicinity). Mrs. [Leonard] Gagnon Making Buckwheat Pancakes
   Photo by: John Collier (1942) (Courtesy of Library of Congress)

French Pancakes

The popular jelly-filled pancake, known as French pancake, is so casually made and so good that it should figure more frequently on the family table. Follow any good recipe for pancakes, spread each with softened tart jelly and roll while hot. Place side by side on a platter, lapped side down to prevent spreading, dredge with sugar and, last of all, with a red-hot wire toaster or fine broiler burn lines on the sugared pancakes, so that the brown lines show distinctly. For a change, flavor the batter with orange, spread with orange marmalade and mix grated orange-peel with the sugar sprinkled over the rolled pancakes. A hot jelly or marmalade sauce may be served with these pancakes, if desired. Or try making the pancakes as large as a dessert-plate, and, when five or six are ready, arrange like a layer cake with plenty of butter and scraped maple-sugar or jelly between the layers and a generous supply of syrup or jelly sauce to pour over each portion as it is cut like a pie.

source

Alsatian Pancakes

Make a batter of one-half cup milk, three well-beaten egg-yolks, two teaspoons sugar, two tablespoons melted fat, one-half teaspoon salt and one cup flour. Beat thoroughly and add another one-half cup of milk and the stiffly beaten whites of the three eggs. More flour or milk may be needed to make the batter just right. Grease bottom and sides of a large shallow frying-pan. Pour in the batter and tilt the pan in all directions, so that a rim of batter is formed all around the edge of the pan. When firm, remove to hot oven until center puffs and edges become crisp. To serve, dredge with powdered sugar and squeeze over it some lemon-juice. Break down the puffed center of the pancake, fold one side toward the middle, add more sugar and lemon-juice and then fold over the other side. Cut in three or four portions. This is a splendid dessert to serve with coffee and is a great favorite with men.

Adapted From An Article By Helena Judson From The Delineator, February 1921

 

Mrs. Orville White Making Pancakes For Breakfast Near Northome, Minnesota
    Photo by Russell Lee (1937) (Courtesy of Library of Congress)

 

Early Moving Pictures--Eadweard Muybridge

Zoopraxiscope Disc- Horse Galloping (1893) (Courtesy of Library of Congress)

English photographer Eadweard Muybridge (1830-1904), who spent many years in the United States,  is best known for his pioneering work from the 1870s-1890s which captured animals and people in motion, showing the individual movements that the human eye could not distinguish as separate movements. His early work used multiple cameras to capture moving animals in stop motion photographs. He developed the zoopraxiscope, an early device for displaying motion pictures. It projected images which had been painted onto rotating glass discs in rapid succession, which gave the impression of movement. 

Eadweard Muybridge (Courtesy of Library of Congress)

His work gave a new perspective on the world, and was highly influential in the development of animation and film, and notably inspired Thomas Edison and William Kennedy Dickson's early motion picture viewing device, the Kinetoscope. His work also influenced the world of art, evident in paintings such as Marcel Duchamp's Nude Descending a Staircase (1912).

Marcel Duchamp Nude Descending A Staircase (1912) source

The following article which appeared in The Camera in March 1917 gives an excellent overview of his work and its influence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Study of Animals Led to Movie Films

Zoopraxiscope Disc Horse/Back Somersault (1893)

To the late Dr. Muybridge, professor at the University of Pennsylvania, is due the credit of working out scientifically the principle upon which the modern moving pictures are based, according to an article entitled "Evolution of the Moving Pictures," by George E. Nitzsche, in the current number of the Alumni Register. Mr. Nitzsche, who is a recorder of the University, now possesses more than 20,000 of the original photographs, taken during 1884 and 1885 at and under auspices of the University, which appropriated more than $40,000 to defray the expenses of Doctor Muybridge's investigations.

Detail of Woman Walking and Leaping from Box  (1887) (Courtesy of Library of Congress)

"Doctor Muybridge's experiments," says Mr. Nitzsche, "were begun in California in 1872, when he became interested in the study of the motion of animals, as a result, it has been stated of a discussion which arose among some horsemen as to whether a horse in running ever had all four feet off the ground at the same instant. The late Leland Stanford became interested in the investigation and put Muybridge to work photographing horses in various attitudes. These were probably the first instantaneous photographs ever taken.

The Horse In Motion (1878) (Courtesy of Library of Congress)

"His investigations revolutionized art, and in 1893 the Fine Arts Commission of the World's Columbian Exposition erected for Doctor Muybridge what was undoubtedly the first moving-picture theatre. This was known as the Zoopraxographical Hall, where he gave a series of lectures upon his new science.

Zoopraxiscope Disc- Couple Waltzing (1893)  (Courtesy of Library of Congress)

"The Muybridge studio at the University consisted of an enclosure along one side of which was a shed about 120 feet long, eleven feet high, and sixteen feet deep, with the front open. In front of the shed was a track along which the animal would move. Opposite the shed was the camera house, thirty-two feet long, with a shelf on which were placed twenty-four cameras...

Leopard Leaping (1887) (Courtesy of Library of Congress)

"For his human models, Dr. Muybridge used students and graduates of the university who had made records in track and field  sports. He also used professional athletes,models from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, animals from the zoological gardens and thoroughbred horses.

Man Removing Hat (1887) (Courtesy of Library of Congress)

Little Girl With Doll (1887) (Courtesy of Library of Congress)

"Dr. Muybridge's photographs revealed many facts which had been unknown prior to his experiments, such as the discovery that motions in all quadrupeds are essentially the same; the influence on the body of the shape of the foot; the value of unequal lengths of the toes; different gaits of animals or the succession of footfalls;  exact analysis of the movements of the raccoon, baboon, and the sloth....Many of these pictures were made in one five-thousandth of a second....

Zoopraxiscope Disc  Athletes Boxing (1893) (Courtesy of Library of Congress)

 

Physiologists, anatomists, naturalists, artists and scientists soon recognized the importance of Doctor Muybridge's discovery and its possibilities...and it was not until Muybridge's invention of a method of instantaneous photography of animal locomotion that artists were enabled to faithfully reproduce different attitudes of the locomotion of animals and human beings."

Man Swinging A Pick Axe (1887) (Courtesy of Library of Congress)

Mr. Nitzsche closes his article by pointing out that the motion pictures were first intended as an educational medium and pleads strongly for their use as such.

Detail From Woman Opening Umbrella (1887) (Courtesy of Library of Congress)

Text Adapted From The Camera, March 1917

    

The following short film gives an overview of Muybridge's Zoopraxiscope. It details how the glass discs were created, and shows images in motion. Please click on the link below to view this video from YouTube: