Chicago, Illinois
Harmony Company

Wood, metal, hide, ebony
ca. Early-Mid 20th century
Height: 62 in; Diameter: 29 in; Depth: 12.5
Strings – Lutes – Banjos

Historic folk art bass banjo with hand-lettered head reading “ZULU KREWE JAZZ BAND/NEW ORLEANS.” The body of the drum reads “MANUFACTURED BY/THE HARMONY CO.”

Krewes are a famous part of the Carnival season in New Orleans.  Its members put on parades and balls and are responsible for buying trinkets to throw at parade spectators. Each krewe has its own name and recognizable theme with a unique history. This bass banjo comes from the Krewe of Zulu Band. 

Today the Zulu are famous for their coconut throw – quite possibly the most coveted throw in all of Mardi Gras. Zulu’s honor guard is called the Soulful Warriors; and they have characters including Big Shot, Witch Doctor, Ambassador, Mayor, Province Prince, Governor and Mr. Big Stuff. While the men marched in Mardi Gras as early as 1901, their first appearance as Zulus came in 1909, with William Story as King. The most famous Krewe of Zulu king was Louis Armstrong who reigned in 1949.  Further information can be found here: https://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/parades/krewe-of-zulu.