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| Mardi Gras Traditions |
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| Mardi Gras is a Carnival Season which begins each year Jan 6 (Epiphany) with many parades, formal balls and merry making climaxing on Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras Day)before Ash Wednesday, which is the beginning of Lent . It probably started as a religious affair but through the years has evolved into a very pagan ritual. It is the tradition for the people riding on the parades to throw "treasured" cheap beads and candy for which parade watchers traditionally say " Throw me something mista" . It is said that sometimes girls pull up their blouses to show their breasts to get the revelers to throw them their best beads. |
| There are many, many parades before Mardi Gras Day, most of which have bands and floats which are very elaborate as these seen here. |
| To the left is the "King's Parade", or "Rex" float. Each "Krew"(private clubs similar to fraternities) has it's own parade. Very often celebrities and politicians are invited to ride on the floats. The crowds are so large that people often bring or rent ladders to stand on in order to see better and catch beads |
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| New Orleans Mardi Gras is multi culteral as is New Orleans itself. |
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| It is traditional that during the Mardi Gras season people eat what they call "King Cakes", which are a type of cinnamon roll formed into a circle with many different types of fillings and decorated with sugers of purple, green and gold, the Mardi Gras colors. The eating of king cakes starts at offices and parties as early as Jan 6. In each King Cake is buried a tiny plastic baby representing "baby Jesus" The person who finds the baby in his/her slice has to bring the next cake.. |
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| NEW ORLEANS AND "CITY" MARDI GRAS CELEBRATIONS |
| Celebrating Mardi Gras in Cajun Country or The "Tee" Mardi Gras |
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| Mardi Gras revelers dressed in traditonal costumes and on horseback set out to acquire ingredients for a huge gumbo from people living in the country |
| Many of the Mardi Gras traditions are the same for the country or "Tee"(meaning little) Mardi Gras with a few added exceptions. The following is how the Cajuns in the smaller towns such as Mamou, Ville Platte, Eunice, and other outlying towns and communities celebrate Mardi Gras |
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| CHASING THE CHICKENS |
| After much whoop-la the poor chicken is caught |
| While in town , people are waiting for the revelers to return with ingredients for the gumbo. There are many Cajun and Zydeco Bands on outdoor stages and people (young and old, children and their parents and grandparents) are dancing in the streets to the lively music. It's called a Fais Deuaux Deaux. Such good, happy, times you have never seen anywhere else. Many are in costume. There are many, many yummy and spicey Cajun foods and drinks to enjoy and satisfy stomachs. There is also PLENTY of cold beer being drunk. |
| The highlight of the "Tee" Mardi Gras parade is the return of "Courer de Mardi Gras", riding the "Mardi Gras Wagon " with their acquired gumbo ingredients , usually chicken and smoked sausage. |
| A huge gumbo( a highly seasoned gravy-like soup and put over steamed rice) is made with the acquired ingredients along with a huge pot of rice and the feasting, dancing and merry making continues until midnight...... when the first day of Lent begins. |
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| Laissez les Bon Temps Rouler(Let The Good Times Roll) |
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| CHICKEN GUMBO WITH WHITE RICE |
| This is traditionally eaten at Mardi Gras but is actually eaten by Cajuns all year round. It can be made with chicken and smoked sausage or with seafood. There are many variations and ALL ARE YUMMY. |
| They have to get the chicken for the gumbo by catching live chickens |
| A Cajun Musician usually plays a fiddle, an accordian, washboards, spoons, and other typical Cajun instruments |
| The Cajun People of Louisiana are a happy, friendly, and fun filled group. They usually love to dance, eat, joke and drink beer. This is true all year round, not just at Mardi Gras.We are not all Cajuns but we have the Cajun attitude. If you have never been here you should come visit us. If you have been here before you know what I mean. Come visit again. |