The Cape Town Minstrels Parade sees more than 45 troupes, consisting of 25,000 to 30,000 performers, marching through the center of Cape Town dressed in bright colored costumes, playing music and dancing. The “Tweede Nuwe Jaar” celebration dates back to the time before slavery was abolished in the Cape Colony, during which slaves were allowed to relax on the day following New Year’s Day.
After emancipation, freed slaves formed dance bands, at first playing mainly European music, but later developing Creole repertoires.
Their New Year celebrations were significantly influenced by American minstrel troupes, initially comprised of white performers in “blackface” impersonating African-American slaves. These performers would wear eccentric clothing with colorful tailcoats, emulating society’s upper class.
Photo: AFP
照片：法新社
The Minstrel Carnival, then, is a reminder of Cape Town’s slavery past, but also of the role of dance and music as a celebration of freedom.
Modern-day troupes aim at creating social cohesion, youth activities and a connection to culture in the mostly impoverished and crime-ridden communities in which the members live.
(AFP with staff writer)
Photo: AFP
照片：法新社
今年的「開普頓吟遊詩人嘉年華會」吸引了多達兩萬五千名到三萬名表演者，組成超過四十五個歌舞團體共襄盛舉。表演者身穿色彩亮麗的服裝，載歌載舞，遊行穿過開普頓市中心。這場慶祝活動又稱為「第二次新年」，可追溯到開普殖民地廢除奴隸制度之前。當時，奴隸被允許在新年的第二天稍事休息。
在解放後，重獲自由的奴隸們組成舞蹈團體，一開始主要演奏歐洲音樂，後來發展出「克里奧爾」式、混合歐洲和當地音樂風格的曲目。
開普頓解放奴隸的新年慶祝活動深受美國的吟遊詩人樂團影響，後者起初是由白人表演者將臉塗黑，扮演非裔美國人。這些表演者穿著風格古怪的服飾，以及色彩鮮豔的燕尾服，模仿社會的上層階級。
Photo: AFP
照片：法新社
也因此，開普頓的吟遊詩人嘉年華會提醒這座城市曾經有過奴隸制度的過往，同時也提醒人們舞蹈與音樂作為頌揚自由的角色。
今日樂團的目標主要聚焦於營造社會凝聚感、讓年輕人參與活動，並且與文化連結，而這些大多數窮困而充斥犯罪的社區，正是成員們的居住地。
（台北時報章厚明譯）
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