A look at the tradition of the Zulu Parade at Mardi Gras.

With roots dating back to the early 1900's, this parade's rich and tumultuous history reflects the changing economic times and social awareness evolution that have occurred in New Orleans in the past century. Emerging as a response to a local theater troupe's production of "There Never Was and Never Will Be a King Like Me," a story of the Zulu Tribe, this activity quickly became a Mardi Gras tradition. Not without it's share of controversies, the group was once oppressed by other black organizations during the 1960's (at the height of the black awareness movement). In recent decades, the group has experienced tremendous growth, attributed to the love of service and dedication of it's members. The group has now become a well respected community service organization, and takes pride in its local, national, and international standing.