Carnival Time With The Baby Doll Ladies
What is the significance of Mardi Gras in the African-American community? What is masking about? I read about the connection between the Skeletons (Skull and Bone gangs) and Baby Dolls as symbolizing death and rebirth. Can you explain further?
Dr. Kim Vaz: African Americans have been participating in Mardi Gras from early on. It gave black people another opportunity to draw on their African heritage of singing, having processions, and dressing in costumes. Their background mixed with the fun and festive air of the French-inspired Mardi Gras created a time-out from the toils and drudgery of their work and the realities of their political condition. For those who could get away from the White people they worked for on Mardi Gras, it provided a special opportunity to have fun with friends and family. Before integration, Mardi Gras was an event that was local to specific neighborhoods for African Americans. Claiborne Avenue, with its swath of oak trees and large “neutral grounds” and which was a hub of black shopping and business, served as a gathering place where blacks dressed in hand- made “Indian” costumes. Members of the Skeletons, the Baby Dolls, the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, and many other marching clubs and maskers could thrill the crowds. Black people called Mardi Gras “Old Fools Day” in recognition of the ability to let go of cares and worries.
The Baby Dolls themselves never gave a thought to the symbolism of birth and death. This is an imposed idea that makes sense when we think about the inherent meaning of dressing like a doll and dressing like skeletons. But the Baby Dolls in the beginning up through the mid-twentieth century saw themselves as sex symbols, entertainers, and people out to have a good time.
What is and has been the role of Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs?
KV: Social aid and pleasure clubs have served African American people [in] New Orleans since their inception after Reconstruction. Segregation controlled all aspects of Black people’s lives. Discriminatory laws and social practices prevented African Americans from earning a good living wage and from having access to health care and to education. In addition, all social facilities and clubs were segregated, and African Americans had to develop their own entertainment. The social aid and pleasure clubs filled in the gaps. These clubs were usually small in number, and members paid regular dues. From this money, when members were in financial need or had a medical emergency or death, the club contributed money to help cover expenses. The clubs also held social events such as dances and an annual second line parade, where members would dress in similar colorful costumes and turn the public street into their stage for their own delight and to delight their neighbors.
Courtesy: Jaz
How did the Baby Doll Ladies fit into this?
MW: Although we are a dance production company, we have recently extended our membership to include honorary Baby Doll Ladies of Excellence, with the purpose of serving as cultural goodwill ambassadors. In commemoration of the Baby Doll Ladies’ centennial anniversary, this past Mardi Gras season (February 21, 2012) the New Orleans Society of Dance held its first formal recruitment of Honorary Baby Doll Ladies of Excellence from the Greater New Orleans area and beyond. In homage to the past, present and future generations of women behind the Baby Doll (Lady) mask. These selected women are comprised of fellow artists, entrepreneurs, business professionals, and educators. The centennial celebration kicked off with the Women of Excellence Luncheon on January 28 at Dickie Brennan’s Palace Café. The event honored trailblazers in the community that are making a difference—women quite like those who masked years ago.
Can you speak about what the Baby Doll Ladies have done in the community, past and present?
Page 2 of 4 | Previous page | Next page