hi folks,

so I'm not originally from philadelphia. my husband and i moved to south philly in october, and i love our home and our neighborhood and everything about it. but i've been wondering ever since if someone could explain this to me.

what's a mummer? i mean, of course i see them on tv and i see the guys practicing in the street and under overpasses and i get that it's a philly thing. but how does one become a mummer? what's with the naming of the mummer groups?

another thing i find fascinating is the fact that these are burly, manly men dressing up in crazy costumes and wearing wigs and maybe makeup, and dancing in public. and taking great pride in it.

i ask these questions with the utmost respect. i love that it's such a part of philadelphia.

thanks!