" Born of Necessity " The Origins of the Second Line Umbrella

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	" Born of Necessity" The Origins of the Second Line Umbrella....

New Orleans, La. .......

They say if you don't like the weather here in New Orleans, just wait a minute, it'll change. But that statement applies to just about any place in the U.S., now-a-days. The one constant thing you can say about New Orleans weather is, that in the summer time, the sun grabs hold on the city and doesn't let go.

Miss Magnolia Costumes, Civil War Costumes and Southern Belle Costumes - Gibson Costume - Browse through more than 10,000 costumes. With plenty of the trees around, it was easy, back in the times, to really find shade from the sun. But portable shade was something different. Most took to wearing caps, which some say cost them their hair. Some who wore them, still sweated. For those of you whom have never come to the southern states in the summer time, let me say, it can get, down right, HOT, here. I'm talking temps, well into the 100 degree range, with 70 percent humidity. Here in New Orleans, it can be a chore sometimes, just to breathe. It's little wander, that many people across the south started to use rain umbrella's to shield them from the sun's punishing rays.

Everywhere you went, there were the umbrella's providing a lone spot of shade. Sometimes it was the only spot of shade, sometimes for blocks, or even miles before you got some relief from the relentless heat and light of the sun.

In the south the idea of carrying an umbrella for shade, just sort of just caught on! Hey! It was a great idea. The Southern Bells, who would dress in their finery, each Sunday, started to always carry an umbrella to provide instant shade to them when necessary. It made a great accessory, and in the 1840's, the umbrella started showing up in catalogs as accessories to the bells' Sunday dress. In any other place in the United States that would be the end of it, but here in Louisiana, it became a southern idea that would evolve into a Mardi Gras tradition.

When the Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs were founded, many took to the back streets, and paraded as did the Mardi Gras Indians, during the late 1890's, during Carnival. This was black carnival in full swing, since no African-Americans were permitted to celebrate with whites.

The SA&P Club's were the only real money sources able to help celebrate carnival with any real pageantry. They chiefly did this to advertise the respective clubs which then provided the main insurance for the black community. To enhance their appearance, they dressed alike, much as they do now. Most members bought brand new suits to signify the newness of life that was the coming Easter. Usually they would all buy one color.

They also borrowed a page from the then young bands of M.G. Indians as well and started using feathers and other frilly tassels, stones, etc. to enhance their standing in the ranks. Talk about looking good, but some took it to extremes, of course. Even the large sashes, which were used to identify the group were feathered and dressed up.

The main purpose, however, of the SA&P Club's, were to provide some benefit to the community in the form of payments, should a member that had paid their dues become ill or die. In effect, they were the first form of insurance for the African American neighborhoods here in the area.

When the Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs started to fade somewhat in the early 1940's due to the influx of the big northern insurance companies coming into the area, a need arose to somehow keep the traditions going. That signaled the birth of the Tambourine and Fan Clubs. Also known as second line clubs or organizations, so named for the dance they do so well. These clubs and groups, are not and do not meet the definition of Krewes.

Carrying on the traditions of their predecessor's, they continued the feather and sash building, which even today is still practiced. Depending on the date of Carnival, Super Sunday, Easter, and some other southern festivities, it could get quite hot underneath all that fine clothing.

Mardi Gras is on movable dates and as such, can fall between February 3rd and March 9th each year, depending on the date determined by the Easter holiday. Seasons when the later dates occur can bring as much heat as the celebration and as alluded to before, "that sun doesn't play". When the fans, fail to provide adequate cooling during times of rest, the umbrella was used to augment the fans.

No one we could find or talk too could remember who was the first to use the umbrellas but it finally became one of the accessories that the Fan Clubs used. It finally became part of the walking uniform and was decorated as such, not long there after.

There are no records of the exact dates most of this occurs, but this report rather comes from the aural and some written records that are still handed down from family to family by the elders who are still with us. That number is fast dwindling, let me tell you.

Old newspapers like "the Bee", an old Creole news paper, and old periodicals such as " TAN", black carnival guides has a lot on some of the traditions.

The second Line umbrella was born of a necessity to try to keep as cool as one could, and stay out of the sun's heat and light. This use of the umbrella continues today as it was more than a hundred years ago, as a useful shield against the weather. Many did not see it as a sunshade, but that's how some southern people in the cities adapt. One thing is for sure, it's here to stay. So is the scarf that often accompanies it. The scarf is very easy to figure out.......