BOS 400 Wrecks, South Africa

The main theme of these street performances was the same - local artists tried to portray the customs and way of life of black people, often showing them as stupid and clumsy people. In order to look like Afro Americans, artists covered their faces with a thick layer of make-up. This tradition has steadily moved to the modern carnival. The artists, who are involved into these street processions and performances, are so skilled in the art of make-up that sometimes it is very difficult to identify whether an artist is a real Afro American or just imitates the dark skin tone.

The culture of African American people seemed to be so unique and attractive for residents of the United States, that year after year the festival became increasingly popular. When slavery was finally abolished, the festival changed significantly. Various theatrical and musical performances became its main attributes, and performances that discredited and ridiculed the culture of black people simply disappeared. The main purpose of the festival in Cape Town is to show attendants how versatile and beautiful the culture of African Americans is.
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