Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras in New Orleans is among the most well know celebrations in the world. Though most participants participate out of a simple desire to engage in the revelry alone, the event has significant historical, cultural and religious meaning.

Mardi Gras is actually a Catholic religious celebration. The actual day of  Mardi Gras occurs on the Tuesday before Catholic season of "Lent". Lent is the season lasting forty days which represent the belief that Jesus spent 40 days in temptation before entering his ministery. It begins on "Ash Wednesday" and culminates on "Holy Saturday", the day before "Easter Sunday".

The term Mardi Gras originates from the French term, "Boeuf Gras," or fatted calf. In Catholic tradition, practitioners tend to load up on fatty or rich food just prior to beginning the fasting and strict dietary mandates of the Lent season which begins on Wedensday. The celebration took on the term "Mardi Gras" which means Fat Tuesday in 1710 when a secret society known as "Boeuf Gras Society". They began the tradition of marching through the city wearing masks and costumes.
African and Native American participants brought flamboyant colors and bead making.

BTodays Mardi Gras celebrations, steeped in these cultural traditions are a time for people to enjoy socialization and partying. It still incorporates formal balls and secret societies known as Crews. Each Crew sponsors it's own parade which reflects a particular theme for the year. The parade culminates in a formal ball in which only members and special guests are invited to attend.

By Robert Young