Trail Rides
The primary focus of the installation Honoring Houston's African-American Trail Riders is the Southwestern Trial Ride Association. This group begins its ride to meet up for the Houston Livestock and Rodeo, as most groups do, by hosting a huge celebration, frequently featuring zydeco music. Over the last 20 years, with the increase of the Creole population in this part of Texas, and the music's association with rural life, zydeco, along with country music, has become the signature sound of the black trail rides.
Photos: Pin Lim
An elaborate structure of responsibilities is divided among individuals who are appointed by the trail boss to act as scouts, ramrods, wagon masters and the like. Their jobs assure safety and security over the course of a ride, whether it is for one day or several weeks in duration. Camping, cooking and conversation make up the daily activities when the ride comes to a stopping point on its journey, long or short.
After a long ride and all throughout the ride, dancing erupts spontaneously, to live and recorded music. Genres range from western line dances to hip hop, but primarily it's zydeco that continues late into the night.
