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Culture Trip takes a look at the traditions and quirks of this famous festival to give you a better understanding of just how integral it is to Louisiana culture. Although the city’s celebrations are now most associated with debauchery and days-long drinking sessions, Mardi Gras in New Orleans is one of the most storied and colourful New Orleans Mardi Gras is known for its vibrant food scene. Cajun cuisine is at the heart of the celebration, making every meal unforgettable. You’ll taste the rich flavors of Louisiana’s culture. Unique Mardi Gras customs are celebrated through famous dishes. Gumbo, a seafood stew, is a Creole cooking staple. 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 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 Other lasting customs include throwing beads and other trinkets, wearing masks, Each region has its own events and traditions. Mardi Gras Around the World . Across the globe, pre-Lenten Mardi Gras is a Legal Holiday in Louisiana – Louisiana is the only U.S. state that officially recognizes Mardi Gras as a public holiday. Flambeaux: Illuminating Tradition Originating in the 19th century, the flambeaux (French for “flame torch”) tradition began as a means to light the nighttime Mardi Gras parades before electric 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 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 The Mardi Gras Indians symbolize a unique connection between African and Indigenous heritage in the Crescent City. have origins founded in traditions that symbolize a unique connection between Mardi Gras is more than just a day of celebration; it is a vibrant expression of culture, history, and community. It embodies the spirit of revelry and resilience passed down through generations. From the intricate designs of the costumes to the melodies of the marching bands, every element contributes to the unique charm of this centuries-old Mardi Gras customs and traditions comprise a rich mosaic that draws on a wide variety of art forms, topical motifs and historical precursors. 2009 Big Shot Brian McMillan strutting in style at the Zulu Lundi Gras Festival By sharing the stories and customs behind Mardi Gras, these initiatives help to foster a greater sense of cultural awareness and pride within the community. Whether you’re a lifelong resident of New Orleans or a first-time visitor, immersing yourself in the vibrant traditions of Mardi Gras is an experience like no other. 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. 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. Mardi Gras Traditions Around the World . Communities around the world celebrate Mardi Gras or Carnival. Not far from New Orleans, Mobile, Alabama, still maintains its time-honored Mardi Gras traditions, like parades and balls. Quebec, Canada, also draws on its French roots with Mardi Gras, though celebrations didn't begin until the late 1800s. Given its use of Native American imagery and customs, the Mardi Gras Indian tradition has proved controversial, particularly in recent years amid debates over cultural appropriation. What are the real origins of Mardi Gras, and how have its Mardi Gras traditions changed over the years? Let's look a little more closely at the history of Mardi Gras and the customs that make it such a rich and colorful celebration. The Origins of Mardi Gras. To grasp Mardi Gras, we must first go back in time and learn about its history. They introduced floats, masked balls, and secret krewes (organizations that plan Mardi Gras events), shaping the festival into what we know today. Mardi Gras Traditions and Symbols. Mardi Gras is packed with traditions, each with its own special meaning: • The Colors – Purple, Green, and Gold: These official Mardi Gras colors were chosen in “The actual reason behind Mardi Gras, Mardi Gras is a very left-handed Catholic holiday. The Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, Ash Wednesday begins Lent, you take penitence, give up drinking, smoking, whatever you do as a penance. So Mardi Gras was kind of designed to be a last party.” For the folks in Grand Marais, Mardi Gras isn’t just one day.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
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