In 'City of Brotherly Love,' Mummers Parade embraces diversity

For more than a century, New Year's Day in Philadelphia has meant one thing: the flamboyant costumes, boisterous music and exuberant dancing of the Mummers Parade.

But the colorful street party attended by tens of thousands -- often called the US East Coast city's version of Mardi Gras -- has been dogged by repeated claims of racism and insensitivity, so organizers are looking to embrace diversity this year.

"We have had a dream for a long time, from when we started doing this carnival in South Philly, to participate in the Mummers parade one day," said David Pina, the president of San Mateo Carnavalero, a Mexican organization that has been invited, along with three other new groups, to headline Friday's parade.

"Right now, we have that chance."

The Mummers Parade is thought to be the oldest folk parade in the country.

Mummery, which comes from the French word 'momerie' and means ridiculous ceremony in fancy dress, first arrived in Philadelphia in the 17th century when immigrant groups gathered informally to celebrate their traditions.

The formal New Year's Day parade was launched in 1901.

Every year, thousands of Mummers parade through the city center in outlandish outfits bedecked with sequins and feathers -- performing skits, dancing, playing music and doing the signature Mummers Strut down Broad Street for onlookers.

But the parade has remained firmly rooted in Philadelphia's white, working-class immigrant neighborhoods, despite the fact that blacks make up 44 percent of the city's population.

"The inclusiveness stopped along color lines and language barriers," said Jesse Engaard, a Mummer and advocate for making the event more diverse.

"African-American participation ended around the Depression, partially because of monetary issues, but also because of the prolific use of blackface."

Ahead of the 1964 parade, organizers banned the use of blackface, but the festive event was still dominated by white participants -- mainly men -- and spectators.

"It's easy to understand why people of color didn't feel comfortable or welcome or proud of being in the parade," Engaard said.

- 'Wench Lives Matter' -

During the 2015 parade, controversy flared anew when a member of the Wench-Brigades, a group dedicated to mocking current events, carried a sign reading "Wench Lives Matter," a satiric reference to the "Black Lives Matter" movement.

The incident led parade leaders and city officials to try to broaden the scope of the event.

"Everybody wants the parade to grow and progress and to be bigger and better than ever going forward. We want to embrace diversity with the parade and for the full spectrum of Philadelphians to be involved," said George Badey, a spokesman for the Mummers.

Mark Montanaro, a long-time Mummer and a volunteer curator at the Mummers Museum, runs his own comic group made up primarily by members of his family He says that the parade is simply misunderstood by newcomers to the city.

"Mummery has never excluded anybody. It's a people parade. It's done by the people. It's working class people getting together and enjoying themselves," Montanaro said.

Engaard helped to facilitate a series of meetings and workshops that many believe were the catalyst for constructive dialogue around the issues facing the parade.

He connected with members of the San Mateo Carnavalero, whose costumes are still largely handmade in Huejotzingo in central Mexico, and invited them to join him in the parade.

The group was keen to take part, and later was asked by the city to be the headliners.

An African-American drill team, Second 2 None, and a Puerto Rican performance group, Los Bomberos de la Calle, will also march.

"Being part of the Mummers parade, something that's been going on in the city for over one hundred years -- it makes us feel like we belong to a place," said Susana Pimentel, a spokeswoman for the San Mateo Carnavalero.

"Immigrants come to get a better life and to share traditions and cultures, and if they can mix and be part of a city, why not?" Pimentel said.

"It's what Philadelphia is all about. It's about welcoming whoever is from another place -- it's the City of Brotherly Love."