What is a Mummer? Saxophone Sax player wants to know

Philadelphia PA

Description

I'm new in town so forgive me, but what is a Mummer and why are so many people looking for sax players to join them on here? I get the feeling these aren't paid gigs because nobody mentions pay in their advertisements. Also looking at the pictures, it sure does seem like a racist homage to minstrel shows. White people painting their faces, shuckin', jivin', and dressing in a culturally insensitive manner? How has this not been called "the black face parade"? You all seem to point out your group has been around over 100 years. I think that adds to my point though. The older the tradition the more likely they were part of an racist oppressive paradigm. Seriously though, what's up with mummers? Or is mum the word?