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The Courir de Mardi Gras (Cajun French pronunciation: [kuɾiɾ d maɾdi ɡɾa], French pronunciation: [kuʁiʁ də maʁdi ɡʁa]) is a traditional Mardi Gras event held in many Cajun and Creole communities of French Louisiana on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Courir de Mardi Gras is Louisiana French for "Fat Tuesday Run". For a large part of Louisiana, this isn’t the true Mardi Gras. We’re talking about local Cajun Mardi Gras—complete with a chicken chase! Cajun Mardi Gras, or Courir de Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday Run), has been a staple in southern Louisiana for hundreds of years. The tradition dates back to 17th-century Europe; Europeans who settled in the The Courir de Mardi Gras in this small town in St. Landry Parish started in the late 19th century and, like many in the area, it was revived after World War II. Although masks and costumes are required, the Eunice event allows for both men and women to participate—a few thousand people run each year. Courir de Mardi Gras' medieval European roots. Courir de Mardi Gras is rooted in French medieval history and is comprised of many rituals in order to celebrate Fat Tuesday, which is a holiday that Rooted in French medieval history and brought to Louisiana in the 19th century, Courir de Mardi Gras has many rituals that come together in a celebration on Fat Tuesday. It's commonly referred to as "the real Mardi Gras." The main event in a Cajun Country Mardi Gras is the traditional courir or “run” led by the capitaine of the Mardi Gras Today, the Eunice Courir de Mardi Gras has more than 2,000 participants, and it continues to increase each year. Eunice Courir de Mardi Gras. The Fat Tuesday event starts with check-in to get the dated patches that are collectors’ items and badges of honor for longtime participants. The courir is more than 15 miles traversed alongside fellow “Le Chanson de Mardi Gras” is a droning, solemn-sounding piece of music with both Cajun and Creole versions that is the unofficial anthem of the rural Mardi Gras. Many local courirs, trail rides, or gatherings in respective communities have a version of this song that shares the same themes and messages. T he courir de Mardi Gras (literally to “run” Mardi Gras) is a rural and lesser-known Cajun counterpart to urban celebrations of Fat Tuesday in such cities as New Orleans and Lafayette. For the courir , disguised revelers convene before dawn at a predetermined locale, typically a participant’s farmstead. Courir de Mardi Gras varies from town to town, but a few elements tie each celebration together: booze, colourful costumes, and more booze. By Jamie Clifton. February 18, 2025, 12:15pm. The Choupic Courir de Mardi Gras differs from other courirs in that it does not involve the chasing of chickens nor ritual begging nor the use of horses as a means of transportation. Church Point 2017 Children's Courir de Mardi Gras in Church Point. In Church Point the rural Mardi Gras is basically the same as it was in the old days of the Every year, as winter fades and spring approaches, the streets of New Orleans explode with color, music, and celebration. Mardi Gras, the grandest festival in Louisiana, is famous for its parades, beads, masked revelers, and deep cultural traditions. Courir de Mardi Gras is an old tradition in rural Louisiana. From early morning on, costumed revelers go house to house, drinking, singing and collecting ingredients for a big ole pot of gumbo. In South Louisiana, the real Mardi Gras action takes place in the countryside. The courir de Mardi Gras celebrations in the countryside of South Louisiana give the popular phrase, “Throw Me Something Mister,” a whole new meaning. Dressed in colorful, homemade costumes with pointed hats and masks, participants in the courir, which means “run” in French, beg for things other than beads Yes, begging! In Tee-Mamou, the capitaine raises a flag to let Mardi Gras runners know to dismount their trucks and approach the house, chanting a traditional “begging song” called Le chanson de Mardi Gras. Communities throughout Louisiana's central prairies have their own particular take on Courir de Mardi Gras. CANKTON, La. — The small town of Cankton came alive on Saturday for its 5th annual *Courir de Mardi Gras*, a beloved tradition that blends fun, excitement, and a bit of wildness. “I just love Rooted in French medieval history and brought to Louisiana in the 19th century, Courir de Mardi Gras has many rituals that come together in a celebration on Fat Tuesday, sometimes referred to as “the real Mardi Gras.” The main event in a Cajun Country Mardi Gras is the traditional courir or “run” led by the capitaine of the Mardi Gras. "Courir de Mardi Gras" is a phrase from Cajun French culture, particularly in Louisiana, referring to a unique Mardi Gras tradition. It means "to run for Mardi Gras." In this context, "running" refers to a festive event where participants, often dressed in traditional costumes, go from house to house or through the streets asking for food, drinks, or ingredients for a communal feast. This In the lead up to Mardi Gras season, I welcome Harry Parsons to Triclinium, to tell us about the history of the Cajun Courir de Mardi Gras. Thanks for sharing your post with us, Harry. Cajun Mardi Gras: Courir de Mardi Gras When you think of Mardi Gras, what comes immediately to mind? If you’re Courir de Mardi Gras, meaning "Fat Tuesday Run" in French, traces its origins to medieval France and was brought to rural Louisiana by French settlers.The tradition evolved over the centuries, blending with local Cajun culture to become a festive, communal celebration marked by costumed processions, music, and communal revelry leading up to Mardi Gras. In the countryside, you’ll find carousers celebrating the Courir de Mardi Gras, or the Mardi Gras run, which occurs in many towns throughout Louisiana’s Cajun Country. Rooted in French medieval history, the Courir de Mardi Gras features participants on horseback, foot, and wagon making their way through rural neighborhoods.
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