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Mardi Gras Indians may be one of the most mysterious aspects of New Orleans Mardi Gras, particularly for visitors to the city. Tribes were formed by African American communities who were excluded from traditional parades and krewes, and they typically poke fun at krewe royalty and governing structures. Mardi Gras is a tradition that dates back thousands of years to pagan celebrations of spring and fertility, including the raucous Roman festivals of Saturnalia and Lupercalia. The Mardi Gras tradition of throwing beads is thought to have started in the 1890s when one of the carnival kings threw strings of beads and fake jewels to his “loyal subjects” on the route The masquerade is an enduring tradition of the Mardi Gras festivities as an opportunity for people to shed their inhibitions and fully imbibe in the party-spirit. A New Orleans city ordinance Mardi Gras is so much more special when you understand what you’re celebrating and what each tradition means to the generations of parade-goers who have stood on parade routes before you. There is a story and a purpose behind everything you’ll experience during Carnival Time – from the king cake you’ll eat to the flambeaux who light the The History & Traditions of Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras has been celebrated in Louisiana since the 18th century, brought by French settlers. Today’s traditions stem from European carnival customs mixed with local culture, creating a uniquely New Orleans spectacle. As Mardi Gras traditions continue to evolve, there is a concerted effort to preserve and educate others about the festival’s rich cultural heritage. Local organizations and museums play a vital role in this endeavor, offering educational programs, exhibits, and resources that explore the history and practices of Mardi Gras. Now, Mardi Gras always falls on the Tuesday before Lent, but Three Kings' Day (January 6), is both the official end of Christmas and the first day of the Carnival season. The origin of king cakes and the funny baby tradition can also be traced to Saturnalia. The all-male krewe has been staging Mardi Gras events in New Orleans since 1872 and are the ones who started the tradition of using the holiday’s famous colors: yellow, purple, and green. The blazing torches lighting the way for parade-goers during nighttime Mardi Gras festivities are called flambeaux (French for torch), and they date back to a custom established by the original Mardi Gras is about music, parades, picnics, floats and excitement. It's one big holiday in New Orleans! Revelers know to wear costumes or at least dress in purple, green, and gold, and adorn themselves with long beads caught from the floats of previous parades. The customs and traditions of Mardi Gras comprise a cultural repertoire, whereby different themes, rituals and symbols are cobbled together, recycled and reinterpreted. Mardi Gras Trivia Test your knowledge of Mardi Gras — a civic ritual with a storied history and innumerable facets and traditions. Mardi Gras is a spectacle of vibrant parades, elaborate costumes, and unbridled celebration. However, beneath the public revelry lies a world of hidden traditions, deeply rooted superstitions, and exclusive gatherings known only to a select few. Essential Mardi Gras Traditions You Can’t Miss. Mardi Gras is a colorful mix of cultural experiences that unite people in amazing ways. It happens in New Orleans and other Gulf Coast cities. These activities make memories that last a lifetime for everyone involved. Traditional Parade Customs. Mardi gras parades are the core of the carnival Mardi Gras is a festive day celebrated in France on Shrove Tuesday (the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday), which marks the close of the pre-Lenten season. The French name Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday, from the custom of using all the fats in the home before Lent. Mardi Gras is the last and "biggest day of celebration," according to Mardi Gras New Orleans. What are some other names for Mardi Gras? Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday, the end of Carnival. Mardi Gras arrived in North America as a French Catholic tradition with the Le Moyne brothers, [31] Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville and Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, in the late 17th century, when King Louis XIV sent the pair to defend France's claim on the territory of Louisiane, which included what are now the U.S. states of Alabama thelucaszoo. Come Mardi Gras, king cake reigns above all else. "Better than bakery's! Living and eating in New Orleans for my entire life I was a bit skeptical if I could actually pull off a king cake," writes New Orleans local and home cook Laur5270, who recommends omitting the raisins to make the recipe more traditional. The traditions of gay Mardi Gras officially began with the Krewe of Yuga’s first Mardi Gras drag ball, in February 1958. In 1962, the event was held at a rented school cafeteria in conservative Jefferson Parish — and raided by the police. Forget the grand marshal—each year the Rex Organization chooses a King of Carnival for their parade. Other krewes also choose kings, but Rex is considered the Carnival king because of the organization's long history in shaping Mardi Gras traditions. On the day of Mardi Gras, the mayor of New Orleans traditionally hands the key to the city to Rex.
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Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
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