It s marvelous, magical, mirthful, magnificent. It s Mardi Gras. After Christmas each
year, the people of southern Louisiana begin their celebration of Carnival, an exuberant
explosion of parades and parties that reaches its grand climax on Mardi Gras.
Many people think that Mardi Gras is just another name for Carnival, but the terms have
different meanings. Mardi Gras, which is French for Fat Tuesday , refers to only one day.
Carnival, on the other hand, refers to the entire period from Twelfth Night (January 6) until
midnight on Mardi Gras. Because Mardi Gras comes exactly forty-six days before Easter, it can
fall on any Tuesday from February 3 to March 9. This year it is on February 11.
Mardi Gras is not just something to watch, it s something to be part of. You can pretend
to be someone different and live a fantasy for a day. It s a time for children and grown-ups
alike. An entire family can dress crazy and not stand out in a crowd. It s a time for people of all
ages, races, and religions to come together in a spirit of goodwill.
When people celebrate Mardi Gras, they are carrying on a tradition that dates back to
ancient times. Spring festivals were held to ensure the fertility of animals and crops. Mardi
Gras came to America when some hardy French explorers landed near the mouth of the
Mississippi River in 1699. Their leader, Pierre le Moyne, Sieur d Iberville, noticed that it was
March 3. Back home, people were celebrating Mardi Gras, so he named the spot Pointe du
Mardi Gras in honor of the day.
By the time Spain took possession of Louisiana in 1766, Mardi Gras was an established
tradition . But the Spanish banned the custom of wearing masks on the street, and Mardi Gras
was driven indoors where it was celebrated privately by the Creoles (the descendants of early
French and Spanish settlers).
In 1803, two years after taking it back from Spain, France sold Louisiana to the United
States. The Americans descended on New Orleans. Creoles did not like the newcomers,
whose language and manners were different from their own. The Americans, on the other hand,
didn t approve of the French-speaking Creoles and their customs. They tried to suppress Mardi
Gras, but the Creoles persisted and, in 1838, organized the first real street parade. In the end,
Mardi Gras worked its magic on the newcomers.
Comus, the oldest, most secretive Carnival organization, invented the word krewe , and
set the pattern of choosing a krewe name from mythology. With its parade of thematic floats, a
private ball, mock royalty, and secret membership, Comus gave a form to Mardi Gras that has
endured ever since. Today there are more than one hundred krewes.
Every year, each krewe chooses a King and Queen to preside over its activities. Being
chosen is considered a great honor. Even though it means wearing tights in public, there is
hardly a man in New Orleans who would turn down the chance to be king. And, of course, all
young girls dream of becoming a queen.
Some famous krewes are Rex, Bacchus, Endymion, and Zulu. But the krewes are not the
only organizations involved with Mardi Gras. There are also Indians! Tribes with such names
as the Wild Magnolias, the Golden Eagles, the Yellow Pocahontas, and the White Eagles parade
through their neighborhoods dancing to hypnotic music and hand-clapping rhythms..
King cakes are oval confections decorated with carnival colors. Each cake contains a
small baby doll to symbolize the finding of baby Jesus by the Magi. Whoever finds the baby
must host the next party. King cake parties are so popular that more than 500,000 king cakes are
consumed every year in the New Orleans area. Although New Orleanians love parties, they love
parades even more.
Beginning several weeks before Mardi Gras, nearly seventy large parades take place
around New Orleans. The parades feature large, tractor-drawn floats that sometimes tower two
stories high–making Carnival in New Orleans the world-famous spectacle it is today. Most
Carnival parades follow the same pattern. The largest parades may have as many as five
thousand participants. Marching bands, dancers, clowns and motorcycle units all participate in
the parades.
Every parade is the result of a great deal of work by many people. As soon as Mardi
Gras is over, krewe members make plans for the next year s parades. It takes a full year to
complete a float . The work is done in massive warehouses called dens .
In most places, people stand calmly on the sidelines, chatting with one another as they
enjoy the passing parade. But not in New Orleans. There, float riders are greeted by roaring
crowds shouting Throw me something, mister! . Maskers on the floats respond by flinging
beads and other trinkets into the sea of upstretched hands while the crowd grabs and scrambles
to catch the trinkets. The trinkets include strings of cheap beads, Frisbees, stuffed animals,
bikini underwear, giant toothbrushes, collector cards, plastic cups and an assortment of
doubloons. However, the most coveted throw of all is a decorated coconut, symbol of Zulu.
The pleasure of participating in Carnival costs krewe members nearly $35 million every
year. They spend 18.6 million on throws alone. Float members have no trouble explaining their
generosity. When they look into the crowd and see the happy faces and the wonderful mood,
they know they are doing something good. The governments of New Orleans and surrounding
communities issue parade permits, coordinate parade routes, provide police and sanitation
services, but they do not contribute any funding. Commercial and political advertising are
banned. There s no such thing as an authorized Mardi Gras logo. Mardi Gras belongs to
everyone.
But like Cinderella, when the clock strikes twelve, Carnival is over and the streets must
be cleared. Midnight comes, ushering in Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season of penitence
and fasting. Everyone is tired but the spirit of Mardi Gras lingers in the air.
Although more than a million people come together to celebrate Carnival, there are few
incidents to disturb the peace. That s because, with an instinct bred into their unique culture, the
people of Southern Louisiana share their courteous, generous spirit with everyone at Carnival.
Just as throwing beads and trinkets reminds us that we all have gifts for one another, the spirit of
Mardi Gras shows how people of all ages, races, religions and backgrounds can get along
together. So, come on down. Sit on my front porch. Have some red beans and rice. We ll pass
a good time! It s America s biggest party.
Другие работы по теме:
Split Second Essay Research Paper Foreign country
Split Second Essay, Research Paper Foreign country. Exotic setting. Unfamiliar feelings. All these thoughts crowded my head, as I walk through the doorway to the building. Setting foot in an Italian dance club, although a new place, has the same mood as a club in the U.S. On vacation in Florence, wanting to experience new things, I ventured to a local discoth?que, to get a taste of the nightlife.
Romeo An Juliet Essay Research Paper hi
Romeo An Juliet Essay, Research Paper hi i need an essay about a character in romeo and juliet that demonsrtated maturity. in a well developed multi pagraph essay and say why you think the character’s maturity was greater than the other characters in the play.
Mardi Gras Essay Research Paper Tom WelchService
Mardi Gras Essay, Research Paper Tom Welch Service Article(revised) IT’S MARDI GRAS!!!!! Yes, New Orleans’ famous Carnival season is this years’ never-ending party and you’re invited. Mardi Gras, famous for its colorful and cultural parades, is an experience you can’t go any longer w/out! The Streets are packed with both tourists and Native Louisianans as they celebrate Mardi Gras in full color and sound. .
Mardi Gras Essay Research Paper The smell
Mardi Gras Essay, Research Paper The smell of stale beer in the air, loud music everywhere, people shouting and laughing having a good ole time is what carnival, better known as Mashumani is like in Guyana. When it s Mardi Gras in New Orleans, however, broken beads and trash are all over the ground, and everywhere one looks he/she sees someone taking off some type of clothing for some beads.
Oh Really Essay Research Paper Oh Reallyyou
Oh Really? Essay, Research Paper Oh Really, you think i am a lark, the dogs they run and bark, but when i say to them, shut up shut up shut up, you say to be nice to them,
Paris Essay Research Paper L
Paris Essay, Research Paper L’Annйe Derniиre j’ai travel des vacances а l’espagne avec mes parents et il n’йtait pas trиs bon. Cette annйe je suis allй а Paris en france avec mes Amis. Nous sommes allйs lа-bas par eurotunel. Nous sommes arrivйs а Calais а 2:00. Le temps йtait trиs chaud lа-bas. Nous avons voyagй а Paris en voiture sur le N1.
The Moviegoer By Walker Percy Essay Research
Paper In Walker Percy?s story The Moviegoer, Binx Bolling, a Stockbroker on the verge of turning thirty is on a quest. Set in 1960 New Orleans during Mardi Gras Binx, an upper class southern gentleman sets out to find out about himself. Answer questions that have tugged at his soul. Questions about despair, everydayness, religion and romance.
Shane Essay Research Paper Sometimes I need
Shane Essay, Research Paper Sometimes, I need you more than I need air And sometimes I miss you more than I will forever, never forget the times that we have shaared. The are priceless
The Rolling Quake Essay Research Paper THE
The Rolling Quake Essay, Research Paper THE ROLLING QUAKE hit about 10:55 a.m. and sent people pouring out of Seattle City Hall and from skyscrapers throughout the city as it continued for nearly 30 seconds before subsiding.
Poem Belong Essay Research Paper Where I
Poem: Belong Essay, Research Paper Where I belong I am weak, I am strong I will fit where I belong don’t know where it is for now but it will come, if I allow tomorrow, I start a brand new day
A Streetcar Named Desire As Related To
Setiing Essay, Research Paper A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams uses setting to illustrate various themes and messages as they pertain to the events of the play. The setting plays a crucial role in the story line and the outcome of the play.
Cask Of Amontillado Essay Research Paper
“The Cask of Amontillado” The author of “The Cask of Amontillado,” Edgar Allan Poe, lets us know in the opening sentence that the character telling the story, Montresor, vows revenge. Montresor’s target of revenge is Fortunato, but Montresor never specifically says what Fortunato did to him or his family.
Louisiana Essay Research Paper Louisiana known as
Louisiana Essay, Research Paper Louisiana, known as a hunter and fisherman?s paradise, has been part of the Union since 1812. The land was part of the Louisiana Purchase bought from Napoleon for 15,000,000 dollars in 1812. It was named after Louis XIV. The capital was originally New Orleans, but was changed in 1849 to Baton Rouge.
Him Essay Research Paper I think about
Him Essay, Research Paper I think about him day and night The though won’t go away And, oh, how I would hold him tight every second of the day He is perfect, that is true, not an average me or you
Streetcar Essay Research Paper A Streetcar Named
Streetcar Essay, Research Paper A Streetcar Named Desire In the play A Streetcar Named Desire , Tennessee Williams uses his brilliant writing to bring life to his characters in the story. I will be composing a character sketch on Stanley, one of the main actors in the play. I will focus on evaluating Stanley s ever-changing character traits in the role he plays.
Poem She Sat Essay Research Paper She
Poem: She Sat Essay, Research Paper She sat… helpless in her room praying to whatever god there may be to let her call to him. could god ignore such a painful cry?
School Essay Research Paper School Where
School Essay, Research Paper School! Where did they come up with that name? I guess because it rhymes with lame Now this rhyme you read will be quite corny Please don’t get upset, mad, or horny
Setting Used In Edgar Allan Poe
’s Writings Essay, Research Paper Poe’s Menacing Mind Edgar Allan Poe is a major American Poet of the Nineteenth Century. He is also known for his achievements in short fiction and criticism for American Literature. In Poe’s tales he uses setting to set the mood and to foreshadow certain things in his essays.
Ode To Boys Essay Research Paper We
Ode To Boys Essay, Research Paper We like them But do they like us The ones we do never fuss They don’t stop in And we wonder why We stress, we bitch We sometimes cry
Theater History Essay Research Paper European Theater
Theater History Essay, Research Paper European Theater diminished drastically during the Middle Ages. This was due to the harshness of living during these times. The common people were tillers of the soil, unlearned, with short life spans. The Roman Catholic Church had considerable power. The church has never been a big supporter of things theatrical.
Crying Again Essay Research Paper The Sky
Crying Again Essay, Research Paper The Sky is crying again And i am crying again. When did it start? When will it end? How’d i wind up with out a friend? Tears from my heart cling to my soul.
Life Is Like Essay Research Paper Life
Life Is Like Essay, Research Paper Life is like a car. When it?s new, it usually works all right. As time drives by, it breaks down and needs repairs. Life is like a leaf. In its youth, it
Dare Essay Essay Research Paper What DARE
Dare Essay Essay, Research Paper What D.A.R.E Means To Me Dare has prepared me to say no to drugs in eight different ways. If anyone asks me to do drugs I will know what to do, such as- just ignoring the person or just
The Playground Essay Research Paper I have
The Playground Essay, Research Paper I have a friend I used to know who had a playground where we would go The times we had are fresh in my mind but they are from another time