Baltimore Traditions: Arabbers, Living Folk Art

If you’re not from Baltimore, you’ve probably never heard the term A-rab or Arabber, pronounced AY-rabbers. That’s a shame. Just like the terms Coney Island and Philly Cheesesteak conjure up delightful, nostalgic images for many, so does the term Arabber to Baltimoreans.

They’re rare today, but back in the ‘50s and ‘60s, it wasn’t unusual to hear the clippity clop of horses, decked out in large jingling bells, pulling a colorful carriage, that was in essence a produce cart on wheels.

Along with the sound of the horses making their way down asphalt streets, you’d hear the croon of the Arabber: “STRAW-By-rees, Cherrrr-EES” in a trademark style. Part of the tradition of the Arabber involves his personal call to the public. Each has a special chant that comes out more like a song, weaving the various items for sale into the call.

The term Arabber is said to come from a 19-century London term used for homeless urchins and street peddlars. For a good visual, check out some YouTube clips. One gives interviews of local Arabbers, while another shows the Arabber in action.

The legend of the Arabber was made famous when the show Homicide hit the airwaves. In one of the initial episodes, Det. Baliss (Kyle Secor) hunted a killer of a young girl, Adena Watson. All signs pointed to an Arabber, Rissley Tucker. That story line carried over several episodes. Homicide made a point of highlighting Baltimore traditions and the Baltimore that we who live here see, not the tourist points most people read about. Homicide's creator, David Simon, featured Arabbers on The Wire, another Baltimore-based show he created.

Arabbers are part of the real Baltimore.

Arabbers, an endangered species and a tradition almost exclusive to Baltimore, are early-day entrepreneurs, known more as hucksters back then. It’s primarily a Black male tradition, almost a living folk tradition. While New York and Philadelphia once had Arabbers, both have ceased allowing Arabbers to market, so Baltimore is the last remaining city allowing Arabbers to make a living.

Baltimore almost lost this tradition as well, its last remaining bastion, because in 1994 the stables that housed the horses were condemned. In stepped the Arabber Preservation Society. It’s a pride thing for Baltimore Arabbers. Their carts are painted, just so, and the horses wear special harnesses. According to the Arabber Preservation Society, this harness has black with gold trim and bone rings, which are white plastic rings. They also have red tassels and red plume with bell drops.

Because of the help of the Preservation Society, another generation of Baltimoreans gets to hear the call of the Arabber, a sight and sound that belongs solely to Baltimore. The heritage continues, and that’s good. In the ‘90s, Richard Kurin, director of the Smithsonian Institution's folk-life program said: "In the end, when we lose the Arabbers. . . I think a bit of the city's soul is lost." For now, the tradition is safe.

Baltimore Mariners Crush New Jersey Revolution

The Baltimore Mariners, an indoor football team based at Baltimore’s First Mariner Arena, stand as one of Baltimore’s best-kept sports secrets. And that’s a shame.

In Saturday’s game against the New Jersey Revolution, the Mariners dominated start to finish, sending New Jersey home with a loss of 84-6 in what felt more like a basketball game based on the Mariners’ scoring ability. It was a game of one interception after another as well as a series of passing, rushing and kicking scores.

Baltimore came into the game undefeated, while New Jersey came into the game winless. So, the Mariners’ crushing victory wasn’t much of a surprise to most. Nonetheless, Coach Chris Simpson made it clear the fans would be treated to the magnificent plays the Mariners have been known for all season. Even though they came into the game Saturday with a secure spot in the playoffs, Simpson had the Mariners pushing and pressing as if it were the first game of the season.

Running Back Isaiah Grier blew onto the field with feet flying and never stopped. Grier, 6’ 1”, 215 lbs out of Rhode Island, rushed for 103 yards, a franchise record, and posted three touchdowns. Quarterback E.J. Nemeth rushed for two touchdowns of his own. That was only surpassed by his passing game: three touchdowns and 143 yards.

Baltimore came into the American Indoor Football Association in 2008 and posted a losing record that year. It makes their overall record of 22-5 with two consecutive playoff seasons in 2009 and 2010 even more awesome.

The Mariners have one more regular game against rivals and defending AIFA champs, the Reading Express, Saturday, June 26. If they win that game, they become the first team in AIFA history to finish out a regular season undefeated. In the Western League, the Wyoming Cavalry are also undefeated to date.

Reading will not make it an easy win for Baltimore. In addition to being the defending champs, Reading comes into the upcoming game against Baltimore carrying a heavy weight. To clinch a playoff spot, Reading must win Saturday. Crushing Baltimore’s hope of staying undefeated would be just a sweet side benefit of the win.

Count on a wild, wonderful night of Indoor Football at Baltimore’s 1st Mariner Arena on Saturday, June 26 at 7 p.m. Playoff games are set for July 10 and July 25. For ticket and schedule information, check out Baltimore’s First Mariner Arena’s Web site at www.baltimorearena.com. For team information, see www.baltimoremariners.com.