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Flambeaux

(Keepers of the Light)

New Orleans......  Flambeaux originated a century and a half ago to light the floats in night parades. Indeed, the first Flambeaux carriers were slaves and free men of color, that held lights which lit the way for  the floats and night parades before there were electric streetlamps able to gather light in such focus that it would enable crowds on the routes to adequately see the style and fancy, of the parades.

 The antics of these "carriers", were held in such regard that people would throw coins to them as a gesture of thanks for the laughter in the function in which they served. The coins are usually in the amounts of 25 or 50, cents and one dollar. 

Flambeaux (that's the plural; the singular is flambeau) are burning torches carried in night parades by white-robed figures known for their uninhibited twirling, general clowning around and prancing They usually are made of  torches mounted on wooden poles, although railroad flares sometimes are used. They are backed with sheets of aluminum to reflex the light given off by the torch. They are usually powered by kerosene, but some have used oil, and propane. If you construct your own, take heed, never use gasoline to power a torch. Some of the big parades, notably Endymion, have gone one better and come up with space-age neon "flambeaux." They look great, but they somehow just aren't the same as the real thing.

 The torch bearers were originally slaves of the wealthy owners who were able to finance any  parades that the town held. Free men of color, mostly Creoles, came into the game after the civil war, when, holding slaves became unlawful. Nowadays, most floats at night are all self-lighted, and the flambeaux carriers that survive are more fun, than functional. It has become controversial to carry the torches these days in New Orleans. Each year the once favored tradition is set upon by those who want it to go away, because of its heritage and the deeper meaning held by those who understand the long history from the African-American side. Soon this tradition, right or wrong, will leave us. 

You'll see some parade-watchers, throwing coins to the carriers, rewarding them for their gyrations. This tradition of throwing quarters, dates back to when the only compensation for the task was thrown by the crowds in appreciation, not only for the light that they provided, but the show some would put on to keep the parade interesting. Don't be afraid to talk to the carriers. They can give you some interesting conversation.

Traditionally, flambeaux carriers have been African American men, who line up at dawn in hopes of being selected for the honor. Even some of this element has been removed, because the leaders have their favorites.  

 According to legend, the irreverent Krewe of Tucks was formed by a couple of university students who tried to become flambeaux carriers, but were passed over in favor of more experienced torch bearers.

Fewer and fewer night parades are using flambeaux, and the tradition may one day soon go the way of the glass bead. (They really used to throw strands of real glass beads, instead of the plastic ones made in Taiwan that now get tossed, but that's one for another issue.)

 Parades that continue to use flambeaux include:  Hermes, Babylon, Pegasus, Bacchus, Sparta and, to a lesser extent traditionally, Endymion, D'Etat. New to the New Orleans parade circuit will be the Morpheus parade, they are slated to begin to use the flambeaux in their parade as well.

These are the Traditional Parades that appear with Flambeaux