Secondlines are a historical tradition in New Orleans that was rooted from Africa. During slavery African Americans were allowed to attend Congo Square on Sundays where they secretly practiced voodoo, played music and dance. Since the Creole African Americans passed as whites they were allowed to learn and play classical music and worked as musicians for whites. Once whites got an idea that they were indeed blacks they were banned and the creoles joined the other African Americans in Congo Square with their brass instruments. The mixture of African rhythm and classical music created the sound that we call today secondline/brass music.
Traditionally Africans gathered for praise, music, and dance for ceremonies. Today Secondlines are for various ceremonies, most popularly and traditional funerals.