The association Noirauds was created in 1876 to save a day-nursery of Brussels at the edge of bankruptcy. In this period, the exploration and the discovery of the countries of Africa speak to the imagination of people. The disguise as an ‘African notable’ was ideal to assure the anonymity of the collectors, often good middle-class people and regular customers of the restaurants where they tried to collect money. Years passed and the association spread to the whole country: it helps unfortunate children. In 1959, princess Paola accepted the presidency of this charitable work. The association was then named ‘Royal Work of Cradles Princess Paola - African Academy’. Academy? Because since their creation, Noirauds were accompanied by a merry brass band during their annual exit. http://charles02.skynetblogs.be/archive/2007/03/10/la-sortie-des-noirauds.html