NEW YORK, Feb. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Twenty members of the famed Zulu warriors tribe are making their first-ever appearance at Mardi Gras thanks to an assist from an iconic pirate.
Diageo, the maker of Captain Morgan(R) Original Spiced Rum, is sponsoring the travel and accommodations for 20 South African Zulu warriors to New Orleans to lead the Zulu parade on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 28. It is the first time in Mardi Gras' 150-year history that real Zulu warriors in traditional dress, including spears and shields, will participate in the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club's parade.
The Zulu parade begins at 8 a.m. on Fat Tuesday at Jackson and Claiborne Streets and includes a second-line route starting at Poydras and Claiborne. The theme for the 2006 parade is "Zulu, Leading the Way Back Home".
The Zulu warriors will also participate in the celebration of Lundi Gras with Zulu President Charles Hamilton and members of the krewe and the public on Monday, Feb. 27, at Woldenberg Park.
"Diageo and Captain Morgan are proud to be a part of this tremendous cultural addition to the long history that is the world renowned Zulu parade," said Virginia Sanchez, Vice President, multicultural corporate relations for Diageo. "We hope the artistry these talented dancers bring to New Orleans will be a highlight of this year's Mardi Gras celebration."
Mardi Gras float builder Blaine Kern, also known throughout the world as "Mr. Mardi Gras", wanted to do something to support members of the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club, many who lived in the Ninth Ward, one of the areas hit hardest by Hurricane Katrina. So Kern recently traveled to South Africa to start talks to bring the Zulus to New Orleans. Kern brought the idea to Captain Morgan and it was an easy decision for the company to make.
"After everything this city and the Zulu club members have been through this past year, this is something that we really wanted to do," said Kern. "This gives us a chance to see a culture that many of us have never seen before."
"This is a Historic moment for New Orleans Culture," said Dr. Felicia M. Suttle, President of South African Tourism USA. "Mardi Gras will get it's first taste of Original African Culture from the Motherland. What we are adding to Mardi Gras this year hopefully will outlive us all. It's truly a great moment for the New Orleans-South African Connection. Come Back Big Easy -- Come Back!"
Captain Morgan is also commemorating the occasion with a special gift to the Zulu tribe. Kern has created, through the Captain Morgan Mardi Gras or Bust program, a Zulu-themed Captain Morgan bust that will be presented to the Zulus at a press conference on Sunday. The colorful one-of-a-kind clay and fiberglass bust is part of a series of decorated life-sized busts of the brand's namesake. Captain Morgan has committed a minimum $150,000 donation to benefit charities supporting hospitality workers, including the New Orleans Hospitality Workers Disaster Relief Fund and similar funds across the Gulf Coast area.
About Diageo:
Diageo is the world's leading premium drinks business. With its global vision, and local marketing focus, Diageo brings to consumers an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across the spirits, wine and beer categories including Smirnoff, Guinness, Johnnie Walker, Baileys, J&B, Cuervo, Captain Morgan and Tanqueray, and Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines. Diageo trades in some 180 markets around the world and is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands and performance, visit us at http://www.diageo.com/.
