pancocojams: New Orleans second line

Showing posts with label New Orleans second line. Show all posts

Monday, September 1, 2025

The New Orleans Second Line Funeral For Singer Juanita Brooks (video & comments published from 2020 to August-2025)

kookydave, Oct 20, 2009

Come pay your respects like we do down here in Nawlin's. Experience a real New Orleans second line jazz funeral for the lovely and talented Juanita Brooks.
-snip-
Here's some information about Juanita Brooks from http://www.offbeat.com/articles/juanita-brooks-1954-2009/
..."Juanita Brooks, a jazz and gospel singer perhaps best known for her stint in the extremely popular stage production, “One Mo’ Time”, died unexpectedly September 9, 2009 of complications from back surgery. She was 55.

“I consider her one of the greatest singers to have ever come out of New Orleans,” says bandleader/pianist Lars Edegran, whose association with Brooks goes back nearly three decades, and who toured Switzerland with Brooks this past May. “She was a great gospel and traditional jazz singer. She really projected herself well, especially in front of large audiences like at festivals.”...

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This is a reprint of the pancocojams post that was published on February 24, 2020 with the video placed at the top of that post instead of in the middle of that post.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/02/youtube-video-comments-about-new.html __ for that post that includes selected comments from this video's discussion thread which were published from 2009 to February 2020.

That pancocojams post doesn't have any comments as of August 31, 2025.

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This partial reprint of the February 2000 pancocojams post begins here:

This is Part II of a three part pancocojams series about New Orleans, Louisiana's second line music and dancing.

Part II of this series showcases a video of a New Orleans, Louisiana Jazz funeral with its first and second lines. This post also includes selected comments from that video's discussion thread. [Full disclosure- I wrote two of those comments, one of which provides a link to another pancocojams post.]

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/02/video-documentary-of-new-orleans.html for Part I of this pancocojams series. Part I showcases a YouTube video about the history and culture of New Orleans, Louisiana's second line music and dancing. My unofficial transcription of that video that corrects some of that video's captions is also included in this post.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/02/youtube-video-best-of-terrylyn-dorsey.html for Part III of this pancocojams series. Part III of this series showcases a video of a New Orleans, Louisiana second line dancing and includes selected comments from that video's discussion thread. The Addendum to Part II provides information about the New Orleans Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs (which were referred to as "Benevolent Societies" in the documentary that was showcased in Part I of this pancocojams series).

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The content of this post is presented for cultural, historical, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and all those who are featured in this embedded video. RIP Juanita Brooks. Thanks also to the publisher of this video on YouTube.

Hat tip to Denise Oliver Velez for writing the article "Black History Month: Celebrating 'Iko Iko,' Mardi Gras Indians, and the second line" on dailykos https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2020/2/23/1913217/-Black-History-Month-Celebrating-Iko-Iko-Mardi-Gras-Indians-and-the-second-line. That article inspired me to research and publish this pancocojams series on New Orleans, Louisiana second lines.

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INFORMATION ABOUT JUANITA BROOKS

[This was added August 31, 2025 to the original pancocojams post.]

from https://musicrising.tulane.edu/discover/people/juanita-brooks/
"Juanita Brooks, a jazz and gospel singer perhaps best known for her stint in the extremely popular stage production, “One Mo’ Time,” died unexpectedly September 9, 2009 of complications from back surgery. She was 55.

“I consider her one of the greatest singers to have ever come out of New Orleans,” says bandleader/pianist Lars Edegran, whose association with Brooks goes back nearly three decades, and who toured Switzerland with Brooks this past May. “She was a great gospel and traditional jazz singer. She really projected herself well, especially in front of large audiences like at festivals.

“I met her in 1980 or 1981. She’d been doing Aretha Franklin-type material then. I was the musical director for ‘One Mo’ Time.’ Vernel Bagneris (who wrote, directed and starred in the production) and I trained her for the Ma Reed part in the production. In later years we toured France, Italy, Germany, Norway and Sweden many times. We also did tributes to Sweet Emma and Billie Pierce at the Jazz Fest. She also did a Bessie Smith tribute. She could really put herself into other people’s music. She was easy to work with and very professional. Her passing is a great loss to the city’s music tradition.”

Brooks grew up in the Ninth Ward and Mid-City, with most members of her family involved in music. Initially she sang spirituals, but after graduating from U.N.O., she began her musical career singing R&B with Eddie Bo. In 1982, she joined the cast of “One Mo’ Time,” which was enjoying a long run at the Toulouse Theater. Brooks went on to tour with the show’s Australian company and appeared in a performance of the show for German television.

Brooks starred in a musical that Bagneris co-wrote with Allen Toussaint in 1986, “Staggerlee,” which ran off-Broadway. In 1999, she starred in another stage production, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” which ran at La Petite Theatre. She also performed as a jazz vocalist at Donna’s, Cafe Brazil and Sweet Lorraine’s with area musicians including Bob and George French.

Brooks is survived by four children, three brothers and two sisters.

Written: Jeff Hannusch"
-snip-
This reprint of that online article was added to this post on August 31, 2025.

This is the end of the reprint of the 2000 pancocojams post.

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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD [2000- 2025]

(with numbers added for referencing purposes only)

2020

@ericperez7309
"A worthy document. I was present that day. When we hit the overpass, it felt like flying a kite!

She was quite a manifestation - legendary..."

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@South.Florida.Aviation
"Why mourn death when you can celebrate life"

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@jambutty2218
"This is what YouTube was made for . 🇬🇧 The dancers are captivating. The passion and emotions. Feel so fortunate this has been shared. I’m on the other side of the world but sometimes watching this, it feels like another planet. I want to second line with them and drink toasts for days"

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@marshallslee
"Wasn't this music in the movie 007 Live and Let Die (1973)?"

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@cshel37
"This is so beautiful"

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@ellaarkin70
"She was so loved. They sent her home beautifully.🙏🏾"

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@Cluez31
"In the rest of the USA the throw you a funeral..... In New Orleans...they throw you a party."

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@Silvana716
"I adore the woman in black with a braid and umbrella leading with her dancing. Something extraordinary about her and her movements."

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@kweninc
"For those that dont Know this is MR. Magic's(RIP) of No Limit Records mother..."

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@darrylrobertson7795
"Death is life a graduation from kindergarten to highschool /to college what do you /after each grade you move onto you celebrate.so in New Orleans when people die we celebrate their life . because after you /we know in our hearts that they don't wanna see us crying/getting emotional.so we celebrate them moving onto heaven/at the end of the day don't we wanna reflect on the good memories of.our loved going onto to glory I Know I do."

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@lusqua72
"Can someone explain why they use umbrellas in these type of funerals?"

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Reply
@itsnowornever999
"They use umbrellas a lot in their parades, plus it's super hot there!"

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Reply
@azizip171, 2025
"@lusqua72, I'm African American, but I'm from the East Coast. I've done some informal research on the custom of members of New Orleans Social Aid And Pleasure Clubs carrying and twirling parasols (umbrellas) when they parade during jazz funerals and during their other parades.

I believe that this New Orleans custom of n carrying and twirling parasols comes from the Ghana, West Africa carrying large umbrellas for nobility and twirling parasols during various festivals.

I think that the reasons for these customs in Ghana and in New Orleans are 1. to protect important people from the sun, 2. to serve as symbols of nobility, status, and/or authority, and/or 3. to serve as fashion and artistic statements. In addition, members of New Orleans Social Aid And Social Clubs who carry small umbrellas or large feathered parasols are knowingly or unknowingly paying homage to the traditions of their Ghanaian (West African) ancestors."

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Reply
@azizip171, 2025
"Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/02/why-umbrellas-parasols-are-carried-by.html for a post that I published on my cultural blog entitled "Why Umbrellas (Parasols) Are Carried by Members Of New Orleans' Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs (History of Umbrellas)"."

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2021

@clemchieng891, 2021
“all of these people are dancing for you, Juanita.”

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@charlesperez9976
"I am completely in love with that woman wearing yellow and black❤️❤️🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰"

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2022

@sallyramseyakatheveganbaby7374, 2022
“My Condolences 💐 to the family”

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@robertapenay
"Something as sad as a loved one passing can be turned into beauty and remembrance with music and dance, if theres a way to leave this world, that there is how its done"

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@johnnypullstrongg
"As a tuba player, i wish to go out like this! I want the percussion to bring the beat of my soul and the brass to bring the melody of my life to my final resting place! God Bless second liners and may ms. juanita rest in peace."

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Reply
@biscuitninja
"I actually had a chance to fill in for a very late tuba player (I was a guest). I never had so many emotions flow.... I also sweated SO much... 1000% worth it."

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Reply
@speakerlvr, 2023
"THANK YOU FOR ALL THE TIMES YOUR HORN LED THE WAY !!! There is nothing more moving, soulful, uniting in ceremony the honor of life lived that becomes a homegoing parade, we step together slowly sway to our individual dances turn sorrow into joy, tears turn to laughter, family and friends burying their loved one are joined by anyone and everyone along the procession to honor a complete stranger that in this SECOND LINE!! GENTLEMAN, i hope to be in that number or you in mine!!!!!! WHO DAT! WE DAT!! TUBA DAT!!! “

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@DreamCather147, 2022
"Let it be Lord let it be !"
-snip-
This lyric is part of the hymn “Just A Closer Walk With Thee”. That hymn appears to be regularly played for the first part of Second Line funerals.

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2023

@MystikalRaven7
"Rest in Power, Juanita. I never knew you but I see you were/are so loved."

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@ericfshook
“The term "jazz funeral" was long in use by observers from elsewhere, but was generally disdained as inappropriate by most New Orleans musicians and practitioners of the tradition. The preferred description was "funeral with music"; while jazz was part of the music played, it was not the primary focus of the ceremony.

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@tjallingdalheuvel126, 2024
"Imagine coming from western Europe, visiting new Orleans and walking into a new Orleans funeral. Blessing for someone with love for the music. Remember as a kid listening to 'when the Saints come marching in' being told it was a funeral song. Love it. Honour to have stumbled on people bringing their loved one away. What would please our lost loved ones. Enjoying our lives, I think. What I say myself when I miss them. Reminesse the beautiful memories. Hear them speak back and give that support to feel like would please them. They will always be with us in spirit."

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2024

@davidrea6310
"It’s the way the march begins very somber, and by the time you get to the grave, it’s completely joyous.

**
Reply
@jj3449
"So can someone help me understand this one. Obviously the second half is more up tempo and the gentleman have put their hats back on. What transpired in the middle?"
-snip-
Here's my response to this question which I didn't publish in that discussion thread: I think the middle part is the ceremony at the cemetery, that is usually led by a minister. If I understand that correctly, the brass band is silent during that ceremony.

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@d.jamesfusilier5597
"My aunt passed away Saturday 04/06/24! A proud New Orleanian who was transplanted in Texas. Her funeral will be a celebration…. Her Crewe will be in the house. We are going to dance for her. Love you Mimi!

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2025

@marioncapriotti1514
"This is the most beautiful way to say goodbye to a beloved person. Music and dancing! That's how I'd like to be remembered."

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Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Umbrellas & Parasols In Ghanaian Festivals & In Social Aid & Pleasure Club (New Orleans Louisiana) Processions

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part II of a two part pancocojams series about the New Orleans Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs (SAPC) custom of holding and twirling umbrellas (parasols) during their parades.

Part II presents information about umbrellas in traditional Ghanaian festivals. This post also showcases videos of umbrella in Ghanaian festivals and videos of members of New Orleans' Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs holding umbrellas/parasols or feathered fans during jazz funeral parades and second line parades.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/02/why-umbrellas-parasols-are-carried-by.html for Part I of this series. Part I presents information about the Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs (SAPC) and provides information about the history of umbrellas (parasols).

The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, and folkloric purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.

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INFORMATION ABOUT UMBRELLAS AT GHANAIAN FESTIVALS
Excerpt #1
From https://favoriten-festival.de/en/programm/looking-for-beginnings "LOOKING FOR BEGINNINGS" , by Rita Mawuena Benissan & Princela Biyaa [no date given, retrieved on Sept. 18, 2023
"In Ghana, the royal umbrellas are used in the chieftaincy. The royals – king, queen mother and chief – stand and dance under the umbrella surrounded by their entourage. The umbrellas are to provide shade and protect the person from the weather and sun, but they also serve as an indicator of that person. The fabrication of the umbrella represents the person and the community walking under the umbrella. The use of color and size establishes a power dynamic with the different types of umbrellas.

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Excerpt #2
From
"https://captimes.com/entertainment/arts-and-theatre/q-a-artist-rita-mawuena-benissan-captures-her-ghanaian-heritage-under-one-big-umbrella/article_587beec4-effa-5d1b-b668-af4edf75e283.html "Q&A: Artist Rita Mawuena Benissan captures her Ghanaian heritage under one big umbrella"; By Lindsay Christians, Jun 13, 2021
"Rita Mawuena Benissan takes a “big tent” view of family and culture. Or perhaps it’s more accurate to say “big umbrella.”

Benissan, 26, is a photographer, a cultural curator at the Noldor Artist Residency in Accra, Ghana, and a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin’s Master of Fine Arts program.

She was born in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire, to Ghanaian parents, came to Michigan as a baby and was raised in a Ghanaian American household by her aunt and uncle, whom she also calls Mom and Dad. When she moved to Madison in 2018, Benissan found another Ghanaian community of honorary aunts, uncles and cousins.

When a member of that community came to Benissan’s Master of Fine Arts show at Arts + Literature Laboratory this past spring, she was struck by the massive umbrellas Benissan had designed. Made of what Benissan called “faux velvet” and bamboo, the umbrellas were inspired by those used by chiefs and queens in Ghanaian festivals.

“My friends who grew up in Ghana or visited Ghana ... they were like, ‘Oh, my God, we finally see these here. We’re so used to seeing them from far away!’” Benissan recalled. The umbrellas, used at funerals and celebrations, are “always high up in the sky, and it’s very crowded.

“Being able to actually see the umbrellas face to face, see the surface and how they’re made, the texture, even the size — it’s just a whole different experience.”

These are essential tenets of Benissan’s art practice: connecting to a royal African history, personally and culturally, and making that history immediate and accessible. Benissan spoke with The Cap Times about discovering her own Black aesthetic and her dreams for Si Hene, a growing Instagram archive that could one day be a physical museum.

The royal umbrella came to me because throughout my life, my parents would say, ‘You have royalty in your family.’ I would know the history about it, but I didn’t have any real photos. My grandfather was a traditional chief, but there’s not much information about him.

One thing that I noticed in Madison was the Ghanaian Association, they always have an African Festival, and they have the royal umbrellas. I was like, this is a very interesting object. It was a bridge for me to connect my textiles and printmaking, but also being able to use photographs to capture the essence of the umbrella and the person that was under it.

That was what brought me to actually go to Ghana, in 2019.”…
-snip-
Click https://www.instagram.com/si.hene/ for Rita Mawuena Benissan's Instagram account on Ghanaian culture.

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VIDEO EXAMPLES OF UMBRELLAS/PARASOLS IN GHANAIAN FESTIVALS

Video #1: Adae Festival - Kumasi - Ghana

jaderoo2, Mar 28, 2016

Within a six-week cycle, Adae has two celebration days, once on a Sunday (Akwasidae) and again on a Wednesday (Awukudae). The Adae cycle is repeated nine times in a year. In observance of the Akan calendar, the ninth Adae Festival, called the Adae Kese Festival ("big Adae"), coincides with celebration of the New Year. It is therefore celebrated to thank the gods and the ancestors for the new harvest. The festivals within Adae are not interchangeable, having been fixed from ancient times.

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Video #2: Highlights of Asafotufiami Festival at Ada

GhanaWeb TV, Aug 6, 2017

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Video #3: Yam Festival, Volta Region, Ghana

James Dalrymple, Jan 6, 2019

The Yam Festival, known in the local Ewe dialect as Te Za, is a harvest festival in the Asogli State, Volta Region of Ghana. The festival takes place in September of each year and is presided over by the paramount chief and president of the National House of Chiefs, King Togbe Afede XIV. With music, dancing, feasting and local crafts, the festival celebrates family, farmers, culture and unity.

This film was shot with the Sony FS5 and Sony A7R3 cameras in Ghana by James Dalrymple.

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Video #4: Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Asantehene Visit Okyehene First Time In History Pt1

ANANSE TV GH, Premiered Aug 7, 2019

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VIDEO EXAMPLES OF MEMBERS OF NEW ORLEANS' SOCIAL AID & PLEASURE CLUBS CARRYING PARASOLS
Video #1: You better second line! Jazz funeral in New Orleans for Juanita Brooks

kookydave, Oct 20, 2009

Come pay your respects like we do down here in Nawlin's. Experience a real New Orleans second line jazz funeral for the lovely and talented Juanita Brooks.

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Video #2: 2010 Lady Buck Jumpers Second Line

Come See About Me, Dec 18, 2010

The Lady Buck Jumpers strut their stuff through Uptown, New Orleans to the sounds of the Rebirth Brass Band.

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Video #3: Uncle Lionel Baptiste Jazz Funeral

onenawlins, Jul 24, 2012

....One City, One Love, OneNawlins!!!!!.......Uncle Lionel Batiste Jazz Funeral. Batiste was the assistant band leader, vocalist and bass drummer of the Treme Brass Band for decades. Uncle Batiste died July 8, 2012 from a short battle with cancer.

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Video #4: Fats Domino Memorial - Second Line - 11/1/17 - 9th Ward New Orleans

Louisiana Live, Nov 7, 2017

Fats Domino Second Line
- 11/1/17
- 9th Ward New Orleans
- shot & edited by Keith Wilkes
-snip-
Here's some information about Fats Domino from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fats_Domino
"Antoine "Fats" Domino Jr. (February 26, 1928 – October 24, 2017) was an American pianist and singer-songwriter. One of the pioneers of rock and roll music, Domino sold more than 65 million records.[2] Between 1955 and 1960, he had eleven Top 10 hits.[3] His humility and shyness may be one reason his contribution to the genre has been overlooked.[4]

During his career, Domino had 35 records in the U.S. Billboard Top 40, and five of his pre-1955 records sold more than a million copies, being certified gold.[5] His musical style was based on traditional rhythm and blues, accompanied by saxophones, bass, piano, electric guitar, and drums.[5]

His 1949 release "The Fat Man" is widely regarded as the first million-selling rock and roll record. His two most famous songs are "Ain't That A Shame" and "Blueberry Hill"."...

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This concludes Part II of this two part pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Why Umbrellas (Parasols) Are Carried by Members Of New Orleans' Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs (History of Umbrellas)

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest update- August 31, 2025

This is Part I of a two part pancocojams series about the New Orleans Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs (SAPC) custom of holding and twirling umbrellas (parasols) during their parades.

Part I presents information about the Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs (SAPC) and provides information about the history of umbrellas (parasols).

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/02/videos-of-ghanaians-holding-large.html for Part II of this pancocojams series. Part II showcases videos of umbrellas/parasols in Ghanaian (West Africa) festivals. Part II also showcases videos of members of some New Orleans Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs carrying umbrellas/parasols, or feathered fans during jazz funerals and second line parades.

The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, and folkloric purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
This pancocojams post is closely related to the pancocojams series about New Orleans second lines.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/02/video-documentary-of-new-orleans.html for Part I of this pancocojams series. In that post "Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs" are referred to as "Benevolent Societies".

Part II of that pancocojams series https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/02/youtube-video-comments-about-new.html "YouTube Video Of The Second Line Funeral For Singer Juanita Brooks & Comments About New Orleans Jazz Funerals" includes several questions from the discussion thread of that showcased video about why people carry umbrellas during New Orleans jazz funerals. Here's one of those questions and its replies:
1. OhSheela, 2017
"Very Beautiful 🙌🏽🥀
Why the umbrellas?
Is there a meaning behind, I'm just asking. I've seen them ☔️ or shine💜"

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REPLY
2. RunningErins, 2017
"There isn't really a meaning behind it but it was mainly used for shade before air conditioners were a thing. It also became an accessory of choice for many southern weddings and funerals and was often an indicator of societal statue."

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REPLY
3. Tracie Lawrence, 2017
"They're parasols."

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REPLY
4. Jack Pea, 2018
"I think there is a West African origin. Umbrellas were a thing and still is some places."

-end of quotes-
Those questions and replies prompted me to do some online research about the history of umbrellas/parasols and why New Orleans Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs might have chosen to carry parasols when they parade during jazz funerals and during their other parades. I found a number of YouTube videos of people from Ghana, West Africa carrying umbrellas and twirling large parasols during various festivals. I've included some of those videos in Part II of this series.

Part I of this series provides some excerpts of online articles about the custom of carrying parasols-1. to protect important people from the sun, 2. as symbols of nobility, status, and/or authority, and/or 3. as fashion statements. I think all these reason but #2 and #3 in particular may explain why members of New Orleans' Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs carry parasols. I also think that the feathered fans that New Orleans Social Aid & Pleasure Club members carry come from these same African, Asian, and Middle Eastern traditions and are carried for the reasons #2 and #3.

Additions and corrections are very welcome.

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INFORMATION ABOUT NEW ORLEANS SOCIAL AID & PLEASURE CLUBS
From https://www.neworleans.com/things-to-do/music/history-and-traditions/social-aid-and-pleasure-clubs/
"SOCIAL AID AND PLEASURE CLUBS
These groups are rooted in community activism

Strutting and jumping and high-stepping beneath their decorated parasols – blowing whistles and waving feathered fans – African-American members of New Orleans’ social aid and pleasure clubs are the organizers, originators, and sponsors of the second line parades for which the city is famous.

In his autobiography, “Satchmo: My Life in New Orleans,” Louis Armstrong wrote that when he was a child, "To watch those clubs parade was an irresistible and absolutely unique experience ... Every time one of those clubs paraded I could second line with them all day long." And in 1949, the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club asked Pops to reign as King in the Zulu parade."
-snip-
This is a complete re-print of this article. No author or publishing date is given for this article which I retrieved on Feb. 25, 2020.

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EXCERPTS ABOUT THE HISTORY OF UMBRELLAS/PARASOLS
These excerpts are given in no particular order. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

Excerpt #1
From https://www.parasolgroup.co.uk/blog/the-history-of-the-umbrella-11726/ The history of the umbrella
18th December 2019, by Laura
..."The word ‘umbrella’ originates from the Latin term ‘umbra’, later followed by the Italian term ‘ombra’, which translates to today’s shade or shadow. This provides a strong link back to the early use of the parasol, providing a shadow against the sun’s powerful rays.

So, where did the umbrella come from?
The basic umbrella was invented over 4,000 years ago, its early use has links back to Egypt, Greece and China. If we think of an umbrella, the first thing that would come to mind is rain; however, if we look at their use through time, they weren’t always used in these conditions. The ancient form of the umbrella was traditionally used for protection from the sun, today referred to as a parasol.

Ancient Egypt
In ancient Egypt, the first parasols appeared over 4,000 years ago, and were created to protect royalty and nobility from the sun’s harsh rays. They were originally made from materials such as tree leaves and palm branches, evolving to be made from animal skins and cloth as time went on. These materials were extremely expensive and difficult to source. As a result, they were almost exclusively used by royalty and nobility as a symbol of wealth.

In the desert-like climate, there was little need to create an umbrella through the waterproofing process.

China
In the 11th century BC, the early form of the umbrella was used by those who could afford such a luxurious item. The first waterproof parasols, or umbrellas from then onwards, failed to reach Europe due to limited international trade routes.

A long journey to Europe
After trade routes became more established, the Egyptian non-waterproofed parasol made its way to Greece and Italy, however they were used almost exclusively by females as males viewed them as ‘feminine’. Although the parasol had made its European debut, the fall of the Roman Empire led to its sudden departure from public use.

The poor conditions and lack of technological advancement following this meant that there was an almost-1000 year absence of the umbrella in Europe.

Closer to home
The umbrella emerged again in the 16th century, gaining popularity in the rainy climates of northern Europe.

In the 1790s, the tradition of female use continued to strengthen. This changed when Persian traveller and writer Jonas Hanway used an umbrella in public for a number of decades, popularising its use amongst men. The male population disapproved of this at first, but soon accepted the umbrella into their routine after stronger and heavier umbrellas were put into production.

The first shop that exclusively sold umbrellas was called James Smith and Sons. The shop opened in London in 1830, and still exists to this day.

Early European umbrellas were crafted together from wood and a form of oiled canvas, until the mid 1850s when the steel ribbed umbrella design was created by Samuel Fox. This was followed by the compact collapsible umbrella, available over a century later”...

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Excerpt #2
From https://favoriten-festival.de/en/programm/looking-for-beginnings LOOKING FOR BEGINNINGS
by Rita Mawuena Benissan & Princela Biyaa [no date given, retrieved on Sept. 18, 2023]
"In Ghana, the royal umbrellas are used in the chieftaincy. The royals – king, queen mother and chief – stand and dance under the umbrella surrounded by their entourage. The umbrellas are to provide shade and protect the person from the weather and sun, but they also serve as an indicator of that person. The fabrication of the umbrella represents the person and the community walking under the umbrella. The use of color and size establishes a power dynamic with the different types of umbrellas.“…

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Excerpt #3
From https://www.nytimes.com/1981/05/06/garden/umbrellas-drenched-in-history.html UMBRELLAS: DRENCHED IN HISTORY
The New York Times Archives
Cathy Silver, May 6, 1981, Section C, Page 16
..."When the Mandarins ruled China in the 11th century B.C., ''The rank of any holder of office could be judged according to whether a double or triple-decked umbrella was carried over him; a fourfold sunshade was the privilege of the heaven-born emperor alone,'' wrote Max von Boehn in ''Ornaments: Modes and Manners'' (Benjamin Blom, 1970). In imperial Japan the Mikado never appeared in public unaccompanied by his parasol-bearer. Even today a parasol-bearer stands near the Emperor as he gardens.

Alabaster reliefs in the Palace at Nineveh in Iraq dating from 885-860 B.C. show the Assyrian ruler Nimrod in his war chariot. ''Behind him stands a slave with a conical parasol, made of some striped material, and made to fold up,'' von Boehn wrote. In ancient Egyptian art, Pharaohs are enthroned beneath parasols, and in Thebes princesses drove chariots with fringed sunshades. In Burma, white umbrellas were reserved for the king and the sacred white elephant; the king claimed among his other titles, ''Lord of the Great Parasol.''

Greeks brought parasols to Europe, and the transformation from sunshade to watershield was made, at least for a while, in Rome. Until the 18th century, umbrellas kept appearing and then disappearing in the West. In the medieval Catholic Church the umbrella became a symbol of authority, and umbrellas are still among the Pope's accouterments."...

**
Excerpt #4
From https://www.encyclopedia.com/fashion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/parasols
“Parasols
Invented to protect people from the sun in ancient Egypt and the Middle East, the parasol was developed as a fashion accessory in late-sixteenth-century Italy and soon spread throughout Europe. A parasol is a light umbrella, generally made of much lighter, less durable materials than an umbrella and not intended to protect the user from rain. At first used only in southern European countries, parasols became popular in England by the mid-eighteenth century and remained an important fashion accessory for women throughout Europe well into the nineteenth century. They were essential to helping women maintain their fashionably pale complexions.

Like other fashionable accessories, the parasol soon became a vehicle for the display of taste and manners. The shades of parasols were made of delicate fabrics like silk, satin, and lace, or of fabrics imprinted with beautiful patterns. Shafts were made of delicately carved wood, and handles might be made of ivory, silver, or gold. Practicality was soon discarded, and the sizes of parasols grew very tiny, hardly capable of providing shade. In the eighteenth century parasols played an important role in the posturing and posing that became such an important part of social display. Women held a parasol over their shoulder just so, twirled the handle for dramatic effect, and used the parasol to draw attention to themselves.*

While it is not surprising that men didn't carry parasols, it also was considered ungentlemanly to carry an umbrella until the nineteenth century. Carrying an umbrella implied that a man couldn't afford a carriage to protect him from the rain, so umbrellas were considered acceptable only for the lower classes. Men using umbrellas in England were mocked as late as the 1780s, but finally people realized that keeping dry might make more sense than keeping in fashion.”
-snip-
*Italics added to highlight these sentences.

****
Excerpt #5
From https://racingnelliebly.com/strange_times/parasols-said-it-best/ PARASOLS SAID IT BEST!

Parasols said it best in an era when people often had to communicate without words. Imagine life minus email, cell phones, Facebook, or twitter. Whatever did they do? Gloves and fans worked well for indoor events. But when it came to outdoor meetings, many preferred to twirl, tap or tip a parasol to deliver a private message to that “certain someone.”

[...]

PARASOLS FOR LADIES AND AT LEAST ONE GENTLEMAN
Parasols of ancient times were used largely to shade nobility. With servants in tow, this was a sign of success and great honor. Men had no problem being seen under a parasol.*

In Europe however, no self-respecting male would touch one. That changed slowly, thanks to English doctor Jonas Hanway who began carrying an umbrella in 1756. Not one to succumbed to scorn, Hanway continued carrying his umbrella until it became the must-have item we know today. Englishmen often referred to their umbrellas as the Hanway.

[...]

Ancient cultures used parasols for shade from the sun an estimated 4,000 years ago. Several Egyptians hieroglyphics depict parasols. They are portrayed in literature and art across Egypt, China, Greece and India. Early versions were fashioned from palm leaves and sticks, paper, fabric, feathers and animal skins.

In their earliest years, parasols were a luxury for gods, royalty, nobility and clergy. In China, parasols for nobility frequently had multiple layers. The Chinese are believed to be the first people to waterproof their parasols (a.k.a. umbrellas), by using oiled or waxed paper."...
-snip-
No author or publishing date is given for this article which I retrieved on Feb. 25, 2020.

*Italics added to highlight these sentences.

Notice the sub-heading "THE PARASOL’S LONG JOURNEY FROM ASIA" mentions Egypt and Greece. That sub-heading is incorrect as Egypt is a nation in Africa and Greece is a nation in Europe.

****
Excerpt #6
From https://www.today.com/news/parasols-become-modern-fashion-accessory-wbna24001895 Parasols become a modern fashion accessory
April 7, 2008, 6:55 PM EDT / Source: The Associated Press
..."Fashion designer Anna Sui makes a strong case for the parasol as an objet d'art. She's put them on the runway at least four times, including the fashion show for the current spring collection. A model matched her turquoise-and-black print blouse to her turqoise-and-black print parasol.

Tracy Reese and Temperley London also made style statements with parasols this season.

Sui works with a licensee to make umbrellas, and she says the parasols always sell out of her Manhattan store. She can't recall ever carrying one on the street, but an elaborate one from India with mirrors and appliques hangs in her bedroom.

It provides the necessary drama as a prop, but it's also a traditional sunshade, especially in India, China and Japan, as well as in the Old South, when the real-life equivalents of Scarlett O'Hara would use one to keep her skin from freckling, Sui says.

[...]

And they seem to be gaining in celebrity appeal. Among the stars photographed with assistants holding umbrellas for them in the sun are Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Sean "Diddy" Combs and Michael Jackson. Rihanna even has a new umbrella (ella, ella) line for Totes."...

****
This concludes Part I of this two part pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

YouTube Video "Best Of Terrylyn Dorsey (also known as "Second Line Shorty, A Well Known New Orleans Second Line Dancer)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part III of a three part pancocojams series about New Orleans, Louisiana's second line music and dancing.

Part III of this series showcases a video of a New Orleans, Louisiana second line dancing and includes selected comments from that video's discussion thread. The Addendum to Part II provides information about the New Orleans Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs (which were referred to as "Benevolent Societies" in the documentary that was showcased in Part I of this pancocojams series.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/02/video-documentary-of-new-orleans.html for Part I of this pancocojams series. Part I showcases a YouTube video about the history and culture of New Orleans, Louisiana's second line music and dancing. My unofficial transcription of that video that corrects some of that video's captions is also included in this post.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/02/youtube-video-comments-about-new.html for Part II of this pancocojams series. Part II showcases a video of a New Orleans, Louisiana second line funeral and includes selected comments from that video's discussion thread.

****
The content of this post is presented for cultural, historical, enterainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and all those who are featured in this embedded video. Thanks also to the publisher of this video on YouTube.

Hat tip to Denise Oliver Velez for writing the article "Black History Month: Celebrating 'Iko Iko,' Mardi Gras Indians, and the second line" on dailykos https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2020/2/23/1913217/-Black-History-Month-Celebrating-Iko-Iko-Mardi-Gras-Indians-and-the-second-line. That article inspired me to research and publish this pancocojams series on New Orleans, Louisiana second lines.

****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: BEST OF TERRYLYN DORSEY AKA SECOND LINE SHORTY ,, BENJIMANZROOM

Benjiman Speaks, Sep 27, 2017

TERRYLYN IS A LIVING LEGEND IN NEW ORLEANS THIS IS JUST A FEW OF HER MOVES I MANGEDTO CAPTURE PLEASE LIKE COMMENT AND SHARE HOPE YOU ENJOY

****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD
(with numbers added for referencing purposes only)
1. Zondalyn Noble, 2017
"Yesssssss I Love My People! Aint nobody like Us Ya Heard Me!!! Creole Red"

**
REPLY
2. Ton Robert, 2019
"Zondalyn Noble YES , ain’t no place LIKE New Orleans not a soul on earth can disagree with you on that hun"

**
REPLY
3. atlantabrookyngal, 2019
"@Ton Robert thats right! And amen! ❤"

**
4. cheerTILidie, 2018
"Does this parade only happen during mardi Grads? If not how often and where in New Orleans?"

**
REPLY
5. nola305, 2018
"NO, NO, NO...........Don't confuse secondlines with mardi gras, it's a separate celebration in the backstreets of New Orleans (Black) neighborhoods on Sunday afternoons hosted by various Social aid and Pleasure Clubs. You'll have to spend countless hours (continuously) watching all of the secondline videos here on youtube. If you wan't to learn more about this (New Orleans) tradition and culture, google it BUT, don't associate them with those so-called "secondlines" in the French Quarter, that's only "cultural appropriation" to attract tourists and wedding parties!"

**
REPLY
6. Ginia Maxwell, 2018
"cheerTILidie no. Secondlines are almost year-round. Mardi Gras lasts a few weeks. :)"

**
REPLY
7. PGsfinest07, 2018
"nola305 hope me and best friend can watch this live and direct when we come back down in July"

**
REPLY
8. nola305, 2018
"Good, but don't just 'watch', jump in and participate, ya' heard me!"

**
REPLY
9. Keisha Hernandez, 2018
"brass bands play daily on the streets, some are good and some suck (especially the ones without soul) but there is always a brass band playing in the quarter! just jump in and let it take you!"

**
REPLY
10. A D, 2018
"Keisha Hernandez when I visited it took me. I love to dance and never danced to a jazz band before in my life. But it just took me. And it just felt right. Can’t wait to visit or even move there"

**
11. Nothing Left, 2018
"I always wondered. The saying, "ya heard me!!!" I know it was popularized by Master P and No Limit but is that why everyone from NEW Orleans says that? Or was that popular long before P made it nationwide?"

**
REPLY
12. Benjiman Speaks, 2018
"Nothing Left yeah it had been used before master p but he’s from the project and all the trends come from the projects so people like to make songs using words people use the most We been saying ya heard me probably as long as I been alive and ya dig these are jazz terms and Jazz was born here"
-snip-
"Ya heard me" is similar to "You hear what I’m sayin" which the second line dancer Squirtman repeatedly said during his exchange with an interviewer in the video embedded in Part I of this pancocojams series. My transcription of that video's captions are included in that post whose link is given above.

**
13. Mike Scott, 2018
"I remember as a young man I used to Buck jump and have fun at the second line and when I see these videos it brings tears to my eyes because I still see some of my old time childhood friends are still buck jumping makes me happy to see people coming together having fun.. Third Ward 4 Life"
-snip-
"Buck jumping" is another term for "second line dancing". Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/05/new-orleans-buck-jumping-information.html for the 2013 pancocojams post entitled "New Orleans Buck Jumping (Second Line Parade dancing) information & videos)". Here's an excerpt from that post:
""Buck jumping" is a rhythmic, percussive style of dancing that emphasizes fast foot work. This style of dancing is closely associated with members of New Orleans Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs and with New Orleans second line paraders who aren’t affiliated with any Social Aid & Pleasure Club...

Buck jumping is closely related to- if not the same as- the 21st century Hip-Hop dances known as footwork, gangsta walkin, jookin, buckin, and other terms."...

****
14, GWEN WILSON, 2018
"MY PPL NOla for life bayyybbbaayyybbyyyy"

**
15. Chef Ms Dee, 2018
"DEY HIT N DA MARCH STRUT!!!"

**
16. Mugsy, 2018
"Yo can anyone please help me find the song that starts @ 1:17 The Stooges Brass band? my goodness"

**
REPLY
17. Mecca Souxl, 2018
"Jackson 5, I Want You Back..."

**
18. James Brown, 2019
"That ain't nothing but a Holy Ghost dance😂😂😂"

**
REPLY
19. GivinUNew, 2020
"Yeaahhhhh Secondline shorty goes in!

**
20. Von Indigenous, 2019
"A lot of y’all don’t know but this is spiritual... if y’all ever wanted to see a sun dance here it is this is a secret thing that why it takes her over... and it’s nothing she can’t do when the spirit take her over 🏹👩🏾‍🦱🏹"

****
ADDENDUM- INFORMATION ABOUT THE NEW ORLEANS SOCIAL AID & PLEASURE CLUBS (SAPC)
From http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/multicultural/multiculturaltraditions/socialaid.html
"Strutting and jumping and high-stepping underneath their decorated parasols, blowing whistles and waving feathered fans, the African-American members of New Orleans’ social aid and pleasure clubs are the organizers, originators, and sponsors of the second line parades for which the city is famous. The brass band that follows the parade’s grand marshal and club members, who are always dressed in coordinated suits and classy hats, blast out exuberant rhythms to propel everyone’s high-spirited march through the streets. The club and brass band are known as the first line, and the audience that forms behind the parade to join in the festivities is the second, hence the term second line parade.

African-American social aid and pleasure clubs aren’t just about parading, however. They grew out of organizations of the mid to late 1800s called benevolent societies, which many different ethnic groups in New Orleans formed. Serving a purpose that today has largely been supplanted by insurance companies, benevolent societies would help dues-paying members defray health care costs, funeral expenses, and financial hardships. They also fostered a sense of unity in the community, performed charitable works, and hosted social events. Benevolent societies always had strong support in the African-American population, and some scholars trace the roots of the African-American societies back to initiation associations of West African cultures from where the majority of New Orleans blacks originally came."
-snip-
The members of New Orleans Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs (SAPC) & the second line paraders certainly strut, and they may also jump. But their dancing is a particular fast hopping kind of jumping, sometimes with leg lifts and squatting, and more that typifies "buck jumping". It seems to me that the brass bands perform the high stepping more than the SAPC members or the second liners. Click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwGxSV5-cR0 for a video of such a brass band in a SAPC parade.

****
This concludes Part III of this pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Monday, February 24, 2020

YouTube Video Of The Second Line Funeral For Singer Juanita Brooks (With Comments About New Orleans Jazz Funerals)

kookydave, Oct 20, 2009

Come pay your respects like we do down here in Nawlin's. Experience a real New Orleans second line jazz funeral for the lovely and talented Juanita Brooks.
-snip-
Here's some information about Juanita Brooks from http://www.offbeat.com/articles/juanita-brooks-1954-2009/
..."Juanita Brooks, a jazz and gospel singer perhaps best known for her stint in the extremely popular stage production, “One Mo’ Time”, died unexpectedly September 9, 2009 of complications from back surgery. She was 55.

“I consider her one of the greatest singers to have ever come out of New Orleans,” says bandleader/pianist Lars Edegran, whose association with Brooks goes back nearly three decades, and who toured Switzerland with Brooks this past May. “She was a great gospel and traditional jazz singer. She really projected herself well, especially in front of large audiences like at festivals.”...

****

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest Update- August 31, 2025

This is Part II of a three part pancocojams series about New Orleans, Louisiana's second line music and dancing.

Part II of this series showcases a video of a New Orleans, Louisiana Jazz funeral with its first and second lines. This post also includes selected comments from that video's discussion thread.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/02/video-documentary-of-new-orleans.html for Part I of this pancocojams series. Part I showcases a YouTube video about the history and culture of New Orleans, Louisiana's second line music and dancing. My unofficial transcription of that video that corrects some of that video's captions is also included in this post.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/02/youtube-video-best-of-terrylyn-dorsey.html for Part III of this pancocojams series. Part III of this series showcases a video of a New Orleans, Louisiana second line dancing and includes selected comments from that video's discussion thread. The Addendum to Part II provides information about the New Orleans Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs (which were referred to as "Benevolent Societies" in the documentary that was showcased in Part I of this pancocojams series).

****
The content of this post is presented for cultural, historical, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and all those who are featured in this embedded video. RIP Juanita Brooks. Thanks also to the publisher of this video on YouTube.

Hat tip to Denise Oliver Velez for writing the article "Black History Month: Celebrating 'Iko Iko,' Mardi Gras Indians, and the second line" on dailykos https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2020/2/23/1913217/-Black-History-Month-Celebrating-Iko-Iko-Mardi-Gras-Indians-and-the-second-line. That article inspired me to research and publish this pancocojams series on New Orleans, Louisiana second lines.
-snip-
Click ___ for a reprint of this pancocojams post with additional comments from that YouTube video's discussion thread comments which were published from 2000 to August 2025.

****
INFORMATION ABOUT JUANITA BROOKS*
from https://musicrising.tulane.edu/discover/people/juanita-brooks/
"Juanita Brooks, a jazz and gospel singer perhaps best known for her stint in the extremely popular stage production, “One Mo’ Time,” died unexpectedly September 9, 2009 of complications from back surgery. She was 55.

Brooks is survived by four children, three brothers and two sisters.

Written: Jeff Hannusch"
-snip-
This article reprint was added to this pancocojams post on August 31, 2025.

****

SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD [2009-2020]
(with numbers added for referencing purposes only)
1. Monke96ify, 2009
"could some explain me what a funeral second line is cause im not sure?"

**
REPLY
2. return2delirium, 2010
"@Monke96ify the second line is generally named for the group of people that follow the family. hence....second line.

**
REPLY
3. toReasonWhy, 2011
"@Monke96ify

The second line is the people who dance or play music but were not hired to do so in the first place... the ones who join in on the jazz march without being paid. The second line, after the planned, hired first line. By this point in time it's often used to mean any people who dance around any jazz parade/funeral."

**
REPLY
4. Sean Lambert, 2014
"@***** the first line is the family and friends who would normally dance to the music. That's why when the band plays, it's called second lining."

**
REPLY
5. Sean Lambert, 2014
"Well the hired musicians are usually a brass band that travel with the 1st line. The actual "second line" is made up of random musicians playing out of respect and the pure enjoyment of playing. And it's all good, it's a very beautiful thing that should be shared with everyone :)

**
REPLY
6. Lynn Magnuson, 2014
"The first line is the actual family of the deceased, close friends, etc. who are right up with the hearse. Not sure but I think the band is part of that as well. The second line is the people behind the band. The tradition has been around New Orleans several hundred years. Many here believe a person must EARN a jazz funeral but I'm not sure on the common thought on that. Just about any decent musician, Mardis Gras Indian or other "culture bearer" can expect one."

**
REPLY
7. Sean Lambert, 2014
"As a second liner, I can say it is always sad in the beginning. The dirge; the mourning part. Then we pick up ourselves and reflect on life, because we don't mourn the death of a loved one, we celebrate their life."

**
8. strgazermel, 2010
"@cajunrae08 more questions! How come the ladies and gents are doing a side step as they proceed out of the church? How come some have fancy umbrellas and sashes? Thanks!"

**
REPLY
9. sherry gypsy S, 2010
"i love the ladies doing the traditional walk

**
REPLY
10. Jolie Harris, 2012
"I consider them the "grand marshalls" of the parade. They are not relatives. They are part of the band - Social Aid and Pleasure Club as best I know."
-snip-
Information about the New Orleans Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs is provided in the Addendum to Part III of this pancocojams series.

****
11. amd77j, 2010
"A beautiful cultural expression of love and respect.

**
12. a. di n, 2011
"that's a send off. you guys are amazing. what a culture! stay strong out there"

**
13. virag69, 2012
"It’s “When I Die (You Better Second Line)” by Kermit Ruffins, from his album “Big Easy”, with the vocal of the late Juanita Brooks"

**
14. mkalover232, 2013
"WAS THAT DR. JOHN?!"

**
REPLY
15. Connie Harper, 2019
"Yes, and now his second line was this week.🎼 😭🎺🎷🎩🎉"
-snip-
Here's information about Dr. John (New Orleans's musician)
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._John
"Malcolm John Rebennack Jr. (November 20, 1941 – June 6, 2019), better known by his stage name Dr. John, was an American singer and songwriter. His music combined blues, pop, jazz, boogie-woogie, and rock and roll.[1]...

He typically performed a lively, theatrical stage show inspired by medicine shows, Mardi Gras costumes, and voodoo ceremonies. Rebennack recorded thirty studio albums and nine live albums, as well as contributing to thousands of other musicians' recordings....

The winner of six Grammy Awards, Rebennack was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by singer John Legend in March 2011.

In May 2013, Rebennack received an honorary doctorate of fine arts from Tulane University."...

**
16. Zee Andrews, 2013
"Thank you SOOOOOOO MUCH for your explanation. I cannot tell you how much sense that makes to me now. I have the utmost respect for the ceremony. I always wondered what "line" meant, and why nobody talked about the first line. Again, thank you."

**
17. bkueorchid216, 2013
"New Orleans is so culturally rich! I can't wait to visit. What a way to honor your dead! Stunning and amazing"

**
18. David Eddington, 2014
"The first hymn is probably a jazzy rendition of " In the Sweet by and by," sometimes commonly known as "In the Sweet by and by, We shall meet at that beautiful Shore.""

**
REPLY
19. Talon McKinney, 2015
"What is the second song?"

**
REPLY
20. Wanda Joseph,2018
"Just a Little While To Stay Here"

**
21. Carl Hamilton, 2015
"What a beautiful tradition. As a musician, it's really great to see the true meaning of 2nd line"

**
22. Peter MultiTrum, 2016
"+Mehdi F The Front line is the immediate Family, the SECOND LINE is where others join in to celebrate, have a fun time and enjoy the music and march to the burial, then drinks and celebrations.... Hence Join the 2nd Line"

**
24. OhSheela, 2017
"Very Beautiful 🙌🏽🥀
Why the umbrellas?
Is there a meaning behind, I'm just asking. I've seen them ☔️ or shine💜"

**
REPLY
25. RunningErins, 2017
"There isn't really a meaning behind it but it was mainly used for shade before air conditioners were a thing. It also became an accessory of choice for many southern weddings and funerals and was often an indicator of societal statue."

**
REPLY
26. Tracie Lawrence, 2017
"They're parasols."

**
REPLY
27. Jack Pea, 2018
"I think there is a West African origin. Umbrellas were a thing and still is some places."
-snip-
Here's some information about umbrellas/parosols as a symbol of status/authority:
From a 1981 New York Times article https://www.nytimes.com/1981/05/06/garden/umbrellas-drenched-in-history.html
....Umbrellas are descendants of sunshades (parasols, from Latin, meaning to ward off the sun), and an ancestor of the parachute.

When the Mandarins ruled China in the 11th century B.C., ''The rank of any holder of office could be judged according to whether a double or triple-decked umbrella was carried over him; a fourfold sunshade was the privilege of the heaven-born emperor alone,'' wrote Max von Boehn in ''Ornaments: Modes and Manners'' (Benjamin Blom, 1970). In imperial Japan the Mikado never appeared in public unaccompanied by his parasol-bearer. Even today a parasol-bearer stands near the Emperor as he gardens.

Alabaster reliefs in the Palace at Nineveh in Iraq dating from 885-860 B.C. show the Assyrian ruler Nimrod in his war chariot. ''Behind him stands a slave with a conical parasol, made of some striped material, and made to fold up,'' von Boehn wrote. In ancient Egyptian art, Pharaohs are enthroned beneath parasols, and in Thebes princesses drove chariots with fringed sunshades. In Burma, white umbrellas were reserved for the king and the sacred white elephant; the king claimed among his other titles, ''Lord of the Great Parasol.''

Greeks brought parasols to Europe, and the transformation from sunshade to watershield was made, at least for a while, in Rome. Until the 18th century, umbrellas kept appearing and then disappearing in the West. In the medieval Catholic Church the umbrella became a symbol of authority, and umbrellas are still among the Pope's accouterments."...

There are a number of YouTube videos of Ghanaian festivals/events with people holding and twirling large umbrellas under which important people walk. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOLPfquWmgw is one of those videos.

**
28. Saunsiaray Broussard, 2020
"My condolences and prayers are with everyone! You're loved and missed by many people! Rest in peace Ma'am!"

****
This concludes Part II of this three part pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Video Documentary of New Orleans, Louisiana's Second Line Music & Dancing (with my unofficial transcript that corrects that video's captions)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part I of a three part pancocojams series about New Orleans, Louisiana's second line music and dancing.

Part I showcases a YouTube video about the history and culture of New Orleans, Louisiana's second line music and dancing. My unofficial transcription of that video that corrects some of that video's captions is also included in this post.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/02/youtube-video-comments-about-new.html for Part II of this pancocojams series. Part II showcases a video of a New Orleans, Louisiana second line funeral and includes selected comments from that video's discussion thread.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/02/youtube-video-best-of-terrylyn-dorsey.html for Part III of this pancocojams series. Part III of this series showcases a video of a New Orleans, Louisiana second line dancing and includes selected comments from that video's discussion thread. The Addendum to Part II provides information about the New Orleans Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs (which were referred to as "Benevolent Societies" in the documentary that was showcased in Part I of this pancocojams series).

The content of this post is presented for cultural, historical, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and all those who are featured in this embedded video. Thanks also to the publisher of this video on YouTube.

Hat tip to Denise Oliver Velez for writing the article "Black History Month: Celebrating 'Iko Iko,' Mardi Gras Indians, and the second line" on dailykos https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2020/2/23/1913217/-Black-History-Month-Celebrating-Iko-Iko-Mardi-Gras-Indians-and-the-second-line. That article inspired me to research and publish this pancocojams series on New Orleans, Louisiana second lines.
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/02/why-umbrellas-parasols-are-carried-by.html for Part I a closely related pancocojams series. Part I presents information about the Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs (SAPC) and provides information about the history of umbrellas (parasols).

Also, click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/02/videos-of-ghanaians-holding-large.html for Part II of this pancocojams series. Part II showcases videos of umbrellas/parasols in Ghanaian (West Africa) festivals. Part II also showcases videos of members of some New Orleans Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs carrying umbrellas/parasols, or feathered fans during jazz funerals and second line parades.

****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: THE SECOND LINE (Historical Documentary of New Orleans Music & Culture)

Trap DeVilleFeb 25, 2015

Documentary Pilot For a Tulane University Program called Music Rising, Executive Produced by BILSUM MUSIC & DIRTY SOUTHERN HOLLYWOOD
in New Orleans Louisiana September 2014.

Executive Producer Bill Summers & Dirty Southern Hollywood Films
Edited by Stefan Solea.

We encourage any and everyone to use the information within this video freely to educate students all around the world!

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE ABOUT THIS UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT OF THAT VIDEO'S CAPTIONS
I transcribed this video when I notice that a number of the video's captions were incorrect.

In this transcription, I put a word in brackets that explains something that was actually said or heard during that presentation. For instance, "mourningful" [mournful]

A description of who is talking is given in parenthesis before each of their remarks.

Additions and corrections to this transcription are welcome.

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Notice the call & response pattern of the remarks that were made about second line dancing that begins at 6:35 in this video transcription.

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UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT OF THAT VIDEO'S CAPTIONS

(Bill Summers)
"Hey everybody. My name is Bill Summers and we’re in New Orleans, Louisiana. And today we’re gonna talk about second line.

That’s right, the second line. And if you were born and raised in Louisiana or if you’re just a visitor or have you spent many days here, you have to know second line. You’ve heard it. You’ve seen it and you’ve experienced it. And what we’re gonna do is we’re gonna dissect the second line. When we talk about dissecting, that means we’re gonna look at every aspect, every part of what makes the second line what it is. It’s music, it’s dance, it’s a song, and it’s a celebration of life.

And when we’re talking about second line, we have to talk about Africa, Africa. The second line dates back thousands of years before there was a Louisiana-before the Mayflower even. It goes back to West and Central Africa. And the history of instruments and dance and culture, art in Africa has found itself in Congo Square in the early days of rag and jazz. Let’s dissect the second line.

(A second Black man speaks.)
So to start thinks off, we take a look at the components of the brass band or, as it’s known in some parts of New Orleans, the second line band.

[drums playing]

[Horns played with the drums]

(Third Black man speaks)
The second line-I’ll give my definition of it and this is one of the definitions- it’s the collaboration between a celebration of dance and music. It manifests itself through certain social events in New Orleans. One with Benevolent Societies, with funerals, and celebrations. What was happening in New Orleans is the early to middle 1800s you know we had free people of color. You had enslaved people. You had this was a port of embarkation. It was a large port, the second largest port in the country. It was the largest city in the south and it was also a city of vice and good gaming and fun. And so, when you put all those things together and it was a big movement with musicians who were educated as well as people who just had the innate ability to perform. And, when you put into that pot the music that people learned in an educational setting -like we had a Symphonic Society here of a hundred artists, over a hundred musicians in 1840- the first Society of its kind in America. This was the focal point for opera and in the country. The Opera House- the first one was here. So when you look at that and you take, you mix that with the church, with work songs, field songs, what happened in Congo Square- very significant. This was a port of invocation for the military. You have all of these, especially African Americans who had access to horns and instruments. And you begin to play these marches. And these marches, they decided they wanted to rag the melody. They didn’t want to just play those melodies straight up and down like they were written, like they were doing in the Eurocentric type setting.

We had these Benevolent Societies. You put that in the mix. And these Benevolent Societies were all early insurance companies. And they had certain days they celebrated as they celebrated life. And especially when somebody passed [died], somebody notable in the community, they would play these mouningful [mournful] songs coming from the houses going to the church or goin from the church to the graveyard. And these dirges were hymns, nothing but hymns, very slow and mourningful [mournful]. And at a certain point, when they’d go through this ritual of cutting the body loose, where the bereaved family would go through the middle of the band and then go into the bury the dead, the community would go off to the other way, and they would go celebrate this life after death. And so that’s when you heard this perked up in the music that we call second line. That’s what it developed out of.

(Second man speaks)
Different movements that are precise- yeah. And different dances for different songs as you will see.
So one of the premier dance men in all of New Orleans- we call him “Squirtman”.

What’s happenin? How you doin?

(Squirtman speaks)
Hey there, brother. I feel blessed to be here, first of all.

(Second man) So how long you been dancin?

(Squirtman)
Well, first of all, I wanna give all my praises to God for making every opportunity and every moment valuable.

(Second man)
Yes. Yes indeedy.

(Squirtman)
You know, I’ve been dancing since ’71, comin up 100. I was introduced to second line and Social Pleasure Clubs

(Second Man)
Um hum.

(Squirtman)
but my first encounter with a Jazz band was at a Jazz funeral for my mother.

(Second man)
Really.

(Squirtman)
And to me, all second line, when my age, when I came up in our time, second line was -it was a spiritual movement. [meaning “spirit moment"?]

(Second man)
Yes. That’s right.

(Squirtman)
It was a movement, see what I’m sayin. It was a movement in our life at that time in the civil rights time that’s all we had.

(Second man)
That’s right.

(Squirtman)
It was in that spiritual movement that’ s what I still go off to do because when the man brought instruments, he’s comin from his inside, you hear what I’m sayin. So when it goes in my ear, I listen until that spirit comes to my spirit ‘cause it’s a movement thing where you express, you know verbally or through your body. It’s a movement thing.

[Throughout this part of Squirtman’s comments the Second Man repeats “Um hum” and “That’s right.]

(Squirtman)
And I got a thing I call the spirit role, you know you go for hours in second line so when I get tired, the spirit role kicks in.

(Second man)
I’ve seen you dancing for a while.

(Squirtman)
See what I’m sayin- that’s that spirit role, that develops, most like so kids, you know, when we come up, that’s part of how you develop and grow and mature. You know, I play like you suppose to growin up, just like I was taught, you know in baseball, basketball, and track and all, just we were taught second line, like second line season...

(Second Man)
Yes, indeed.

(Squirtman)
You see what I’m sayin. The parade come through the neighborhood and no matter what you was doin, the band draw you...

(Second Man)
Yeah. You had to go.

(Squirtman)
And in that movement was part of our peace and our strength.

(Second man)
That’s right.

(Squirtman)
And it’s part of our peace and our strength.

(Second Man)
That’s right.

So to me second line itself is self-creativity. See what I’m sayin. You can take the snare drum, the bass drum, the tuba, the trombone, the sax, the [patterna?], you can dance off of individuals, or you can dance off of it as a collective group.

[The second line band plays while Squirtman dances]

(Second man)
Well, we’ve assembled the entire unit. It is time to hit the streets! Let’s roll.”

[The video ends with scenes of a second line band and people forming the “second line”.]

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This concludes Part I of this three part pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams. Visitor comments are welcome.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

New Orleans Buck Jumping (Second Lining) definition, information, & videos

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest Revision -May 3, 2024

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TBC Brass Band performing Donny Hathaway's 'This Christmas' at the Big Nine 2009 Second Line Parade

BigRedCotton, Uploaded on Dec 24, 2009

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This is Part II of a two part pancocojams series on the 19th century dance known as the "buck & wing", and the "buck jumping" dances may be derived from it or whose terms are sometimes mistaken for it.

This post features information about & several videos of New Orleans "buck jumping" (also referred to as "second lining" and "footwork" (although the term "footwork" may refer to very similar but also different types of dancing and/or competitive dance activities).

Part I provides information & video demonstrations of buck & wing, buck dancing, and several wing movements in tap dancing.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-pigeon-wing-buck-wing-and-buck.html for Part I of this series.

The content of this post is presented for folkloric, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owner.

Disclaimer: I'm not a dancer or a dance historian. My comments are shared in the interest of eliciting more information & opinions about this subject.

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THE DIFFERENT MEANINGS FOR THE TERM "BUCKING"
The term "bucking" is currently used to describe a rodeo event, and three completely different African American originated dance movements.

In this pancocojams post "buck jumping" refers to New Orleans, Louisiana second lining (dance movements).

The other definitions of "bucking" refers to
1. a rodeo event.

2. "buck dancing" ("flat foot dancing" and "clogging") or the pre-tap dance movements called "buck and the wing"..

3. majorette "bucking" (as performed by Jackson State University's Prancing J-Settes, the Dancing Dolls from the television series Bring It among others). Those movements consists of rhythmic pelvic thrusts (pelvic contractions) that are done within a dance routine.

-snip-
In addition, the verb "buck" is a shortened form of the term "buck wild". The saying "Knuck if you buck" means "Fight" (Knuckle) if you have the nerve to (if you dare to; if you're crazy enough to challenge me knowing that I'm formidable and you will lose).

Also,"buck" is positive adjective that term is associated with the Hip Hop dance form "krumping"
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DEFINITIONS OF AND INFORMATION ABOUT BUCK JUMPING (SECOND LINING)
These article excerpts are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.

Online Source #1
From https://bittersoutherner.com/a-dance-of-liberation-buckjumping "A Dance Of Liberation"

Lily Keber’s upcoming, feature-length documentary, “Buckjumping,” will take filmgoers deep into more than a half dozen New Orleans neighborhoods, where second-line parades boost the spirits and bring communities together in a way that happens nowhere else.
-Chuck Reece; no publishing date given; 2019?

"The Oxford English Dictionary defines “buck jumping” as “a rodeo event in which a rider attempts to stay in the saddle of a bucking horse.”

The Pigeon Town Steppers, one of New Orleans’ many community-based social aid and pleasure clubs, would define buck jumping differently. They would tell you it’s the dance style associated with the city’s second line parades and that without it, New Orleans would not be New Orleans."

Online Source #2
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG6KH905cGU&t=30s "You better second line! Jazz funeral in New Orleans for Juanita Brooks", posted by kookydave, Oct 20, 2009
Come pay your respects like we do down here in Nawlin's. Experience a real New Orleans second line jazz funeral for the lovely and talented Juanita Brooks.
1. @wb7ptr, 2013
"The first line is the actual family of the deceased, close friends, etc. who are right up with the hearse. Not sure but I think the band is part of that as well. The second line is the people behind the band. The tradition has been around New Orleans several hundred years. Many here believe a person must EARN a jazz funeral but I'm not sure on the common thought on that. Just about any decent musician, Mardis Gras Indian or other "culture bearer" can expect one."

2. @seanlambert2865, 2015
"the first line is the family and friends who would normally dance to the music. That's why when the band plays, it's called second lining."

Reply
3. @seanlambert2865, 2015
"Well the hired musicians are usually a brass band that travel with the 1st line. The actual "second line" is made up of random musicians playing out of respect and the pure enjoyment of playing. And it's all good, it's a very beautiful thing that should be shared with everyone "

Reply
4.@amybaker4654, 2017
"Sean Lambert..Thank you for explaining that.I wondered what second lining meant."

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Online Source #3
From http://nolabounce.com/?p=4499 "Second Line Jump: New Orleans Rap And Brass Band Music" By Matt Miller; September 27, 2010
"The number of brass bands has expanded along with the proliferation of “second Line” clubs, so-called “social and pleasure” organizations which hire bands for parades. These clubs stage parades on Sunday afternoons throughout the second line “season” (which spans much of the Fall, Winter and Spring), often to celebrate the anniversary of the club’s founding. These second line parades, along with the “jazz funerals” and Mardi Gras parades that often define New Orleans in the national imagination, serve as a central venue for brass bands and play a key role in disseminating and reinforcing a commonly-held musical sensibility. To outsiders, second line parades might seem like a purely celebratory event, but they can also channel more destructive energies.

The bands are often joined by a rowdy group of spontaneous participants (often teenagers or young men) who contribute highly expressive dance and ad-hoc music-making. “Buck jumping,” an individual dance form associated with both brass bands and local rap, is one of the many features of New Orleans’s musical culture that in concept and nomenclature can be traced back to the 19th century and the era of slavery.”...
-snip-
This article was reformatted to increase its readability.

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Online Source #4
From https://gambinos.com/history-second-line/ "Jump In The Line: History of Second Lines [Gambinos Bakery"*; no publishing date given; retrieved September 17, 2023]
"Second Line Basics

For those of you who are new to the idea of a second line, at its base it is a brass band parade. The brass band usually is made up of a trumpet, a trombone, a saxophone, a tuba, a bass drum, and a snare drum, but these instruments vary depending on the band and the event. At the core of the parade is what’s called the “main line,” this includes the band itself, the krewe or club with which the band is affiliated, and in the case of funerals or weddings it includes the funeral and wedding party.

The “second line” refers to the spectators who join or follow the main line and contribute to the walking parade. This is what separates a second line from any other New Orleans parade: groups are not only welcome but encouraged to follow along, allowing the second line to grow as it marches. The term “second line” doesn’t only refer to the parade itself, it also speaks to the type of dancing you will find during those parades. “Second lining” is a highly recognizable strutting, chicken-like dance move that many people use to keep pace with the band. So “second line” is a term with many meanings; it applies to a type of parade, a part of the parade, and a dance move used within that parade.

Second lines have a multifaceted history that blends traditions of both European and African cultures and while the second line can be said to have developed in conjunction with a number of events, the one we most closely relate it to is the jazz funeral. A jazz funeral is a New Orleans tradition that has a brass band following the hearse and leading the funeral procession to the cemetery. On the march to intern the body, the brass band usually plays solemn dirges, a more classic way of experiencing a funeral. What makes the jazz funeral different from other funerals, however, is that after buying the body, the brass band transitions to upbeat, happy, and celebratory music. They lead the funeral procession away from the cemetery with a brightness that is meant to allow them to reflect on the dead’s life with joy and help them to celebrate being alive.

Second lines are still used for funerals in New Orleans, but they have evolved with a number of differences from the classic jazz funeral. Second lines tend to use upbeat songs for the entirety of their march, leaving out the dirges. Where jazz funerals are usually restricted to the family and friends of the deceased, a second line allows for others to join in, helping to celebrate and honor the life of the one who passed.

Where Do They Come From, Where Do They Go?

Most research shows the second line dating back to the mid to late 19th century, its development deeply ingrained in the African-American community in New Orleans. In large part the second line’s creation and evolution can be attributed to what we now refer to as Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs. In the period following the Civil War, African-American citizens struggled to attain proper governmental support and insurance, which incited the development of communal societies or co-ops that would provide social aid for their members. These neighborhood organizations would charge their members dues which would contribute to a fund used for basic health and funeral insurance.

One of the earliest social aid organizations was the New Orleans Freedman’s Aid Association which was founded in 1865. This specific social aid group worked to provide loans, education, and insurance to recently freed slaves in the post-Civil War era. This club, and many like it, often hosted parades and block parties to advertise their services as well as celebrate and honor members when they died. These celebrations coincided with jazz funerals and together evolved into what we now recognize as second lines.

As racial segregation began to fade in the south, the need for individualized organizations to provide insurance faded as well. This is what created the transition from social aid clubs, to pleasure clubs or benevolent societies. Contemporary Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs in New Orleans, like Zulu or the Jolly Bunch, usually don’t provide insurance anymore. Instead they are used as clubs to allow locals to engage with one another and socialize in celebratory ways. Their name, however, still references the purpose they originally served.

The Contemporary Second Line

It is New Orleans tradition to use second lines to celebrate weddings as well as funerals, but nowadays we second line for more than just these purposes. Many Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs use second lines as a way of introducing themselves to the community or providing a reason for their members to get together. It’s rare that a Sunday afternoon goes by in the French Quarter without being able to catch at least one or two second lines put on by these clubs.”…

*Here's information from that page about Gambino's Bakery
"In New Orleans and around the world, Gambino’s Bakery is a household tradition that offers over 74 years of experience with delicious baked goods."...
-snip-
Buck jumping is closely related to- if not the same as- the 21st century HIp-Hop dances known as "footwork", "gangsta walkin", "jookin", "buckin", and other terms. Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gangsta_Walking for information about these Hip Hop dances. That Wikipedia article traces the origin of "gangsta walkin" and suggests that dance may have "a New Orleans connection. Early gangsta-walking in Memphis was often called "buck jumping", and "buck jumping" is another name for second-lining in New Orleans.”...

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SOME INFORMATION ABOUT NEW ORLEANS SOCIAL AID AND PLEASURE CLUBS
http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/multicultural/multiculturaltraditions/socialaid.html
"Strutting and jumping and high-stepping underneath their decorated parasols, blowing whistles and waving feathered fans, the African-American members of New Orleans’ social aid and pleasure clubs are the organizers, originators, and sponsors of the second line parades for which the city is famous. The brass band that follows the parade’s grand marshal and club members, who are always dressed in coordinated suits and classy hats, blast out exuberant rhythms to propel everyone’s high-spirited march through the streets. The club and brass band are known as the first line, and the audience that forms behind the parade to join in the festivities is the second, hence the term second line parade.

African-American social aid and pleasure clubs aren’t just about parading, however. They grew out of organizations of the mid to late 1800s called benevolent societies, which many different ethnic groups in New Orleans formed. Serving a purpose that today has largely been supplanted by insurance companies, benevolent societies would help dues-paying members defray health care costs, funeral expenses, and financial hardships. They also fostered a sense of unity in the community, performed charitable works, and hosted social events. Benevolent societies always had strong support in the African-American population, and some scholars trace the roots of the African-American societies back to initiation associations of West African cultures from where the majority of New Orleans blacks originally came."
-snip-
The members of New Orleans Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs (SAPC) & the second line paraders strut while they perform footwork that consist of particular fast hopping kinds of jumping, sometimes with leg lifts and squatting (dips). These movements typify "buck jumping".

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FEATURED VIDEOS
These videos are posted in chronological order with the videos with the oldest dates posted first.

Video #1: New Orleans Secondline Dancing

SneakinSal, Uploaded on Dec 25, 2006

Secondline dancing on a porch on Washington Avenue, New Orleans. New Generation Social Aid & Pleasure Club parade, December 10, 2006.

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Video #2: Sudan 2008 Second Line featuring Rebirth

Posted by BigRedCotton, December 03, 2008
-snip-
Notice the dancer crawling under the legs of another dancer. I've seen videos in which that same dance movement in some traditional Senegalese dances. I've also noticed that movement in performed in certain videos of African American Jazz dancing (swing dancing) and in videos of African American "krumping".

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Video #3: The Hot 8 Brass Band with Ladies And Men of Unity -'Poppa Was A Rolling Stone'

Uploaded by BigRedCotton on Apr 6, 2009

Ladies and Men of Unity Social Aid and Pleasure Club 2nd Annual Second Line Uptown

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Video #4: Divine Ladies Social Aid & Pleasure Club 2009 Annual Parade

Uploaded by BigRedCotton on May 17, 2009
-snip-
Notice the "wing"* leg movements (leg lifts) that are done in this video (such as at 1:54-1:57; 2:50-2:53, and 6:27-6:32).

*derived from the buck & the wing dance

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Video #5: Buck-jumping dance-off on Oak St. during the Pigeon Town Steppers Easter Second Line

Lisa Pal, Uploaded on Apr 5, 2010

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This concludes Part II of this series.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to those who are featured in these videos, and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.

Thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

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