Krewe of Zulu

Early in 1909, a group of laborers who had organized a club named “The Tramps,” went to the Pythian Theater to see a musical comedy performed by the Smart Set. The comedy included a skit entitled, “There Never Was and Never Will Be a King Like Me,” about the Zulu Tribe…

That is how Zulu began, as the many stories go…

Years of extensive research by Zulu’s Historian staff seem to indicate that Zulu’s beginning was much more complicated than that. The earliest signs of organization came from the fact that the majority of these men belonged to a Benevolent Aid Society. Benevolent Societies were the first forms of insurance in the Black community where, for a small amount of dues, members received financial help when sick or financial aid when burying deceased members.

Conversations and interviews with older members also indicate that in that era the city was divided into wards, and each ward had its own group or “Club.” The Tramps were one such group. 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. This group was probably made up of members from the Tramps, the Benevolent Aid Society and other ward-based groups.

While the “Group” marched in Mardi Gras as early as 1901, their first appearance as Zulus came in 1909, with William Story as King. 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.

On September 20, 1916, in the notorial office of Gabriel Fernandez, the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club was incorporated. Twenty-two of the organization’s officers and members signed the first official document.

Zulu has grown tremendously over the years. This continual growth is credited to the members for their love, loyalty and dedication to this organization. In 1978, the organization opened its doors to their new home located at 732 North Broad Street. The two-story frame building houses a lounge downstairs for members and guests to enjoy themselves, and administrative offices upstairs. In addition, the “Walter Coulon Memorabilia Distribution Center” is located at 734 N. Broad Street, which houses over 100 items for members, visitors, and float riders to purchase throws or replenish their collection.

Of all the throws to rain down from the many floats in the parades during carnival, the Zulu coconut or “Golden Nugget” is the most sought after. The earliest reference to the coconut appears to be about 1910 when the coconuts were given from the floats in their natural “hairy” state. Some years later there is a reference to Lloyd Lucus, “the sign painter,” scraping and painting the coconuts. This, in all likelihood, was the forerunner to the beautifully decorated coconuts used today.

The Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club Inc., is the everyman club. The membership is composed of men from all walks of life—from laborers, City Mayor, City Councilmen, and State Legislators, to United States Congressman, educators, and men of other professions.

*Researched and compiled by the Historian Committee:
Clarence A. Becknell, Chairman
Thomas Price, Assistant Chairman
Don Short

Krewe of Zulu
722 North Broad Street
New Orleans, LA 70119-4201
web: http://www.kreweofzulu.com/
phone: (504) 827-1661