Carnival A-Z: Caliph's of Cairo
Sat, January 9, 2010 at 23:10 Caliph's of Cairo, a non parading krewe that presents some of the season's debutantes, may seem a bit obscure, but it is something I happen to know a bit about. The reason that I happen to know about this one, is because in 2003 My Lovely Wife was the Queen of the organization's annual ball. Having been founded in the 1930's, this fairly small krewe, it is one of the youngest in its category (its category being non-parading debutante-presenting krewe).
This type of organization was very popular from the 1890's through WWII. Up until 1891 every Carnival organization in the Crescent City was either a parading krewe (Comus, Momus, Rex, Proteus) or begun as a parading krewe (Twelfth Night Revelers). In 1891 though, a group of Creoles formed a krewe strictly for holding a ball; they decided to call themselves the Atlanteans (with their king taking the persona of Poseidon). They were soon followed by the Elves of Oberon, the High Priests of Mithras, and several others.
These groups are generally very similar, each varying its methods and presentation only slightly from the others. They have a court with a King selected from its membership, a Queen and maids who are debutantes of the season, and a Captain and Officers that oversee smooth operation of the events.
A Group has even been established for the younger folk. The Children's Carnival Club is one for little ladies and young boys to be introduced to what it feels like to be a member of a krewe.
As Carnival Season pushes on I note: have you checked to see if you tails/evening gown still fit? You'll be needing them sooner than you realize!
Reader Comments (2)
Had to comment on your carnival C. My grandfather was one of the founding members of Caliphs. I used to draw on their old note cards all the time as a child. My grandfather passed in 1974. And my uncle opted to not become a member.
Oh, man. You need to start referring to her as MLW from now on, seriously. That would be the coolest.