Mardi Gras dates back to medieval Europe passing through Rome and Venice in the 17th and 18th centuries. A French Canadian explorer, Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville, arrived around 60 miles south from New Orleans on March 2, 1699, and he decided to name it “Pointe du Mardi Gras.” The tradition of Mardi Gras was finally established in 1718 by Bienville. The Mardi Gras that we celebrate today with the elaborate floats, king cake, and beads is not the Mardi Gras that has always been celebrated. In fact, the floats did not start until 1857 through the streets of New Orleans. The French name Mardi Gras means “Fat Tuesday,'' which represents the celebration before Lent when fasting season occurs. Mardi Gras is the most respected holiday in New Orleans and is a unique celebration that represents what New Orleans stands for as a whole.
The yearly celebration is ecstatic, complete with live music all around town, numerous daily parades, floats, picnics, and much more. There are never-ending amounts of beads thrown out to the people in the crowds in the colors of purple, gold, and green. Some of the celebrations consist of wearing masks which is one of the most common practices. This concept originated so that students could sneak out of class but keep their good standings at school. Today, however, many schools around New Orleans shut down for the parades! The masks add a sophisticated, yet mystical element. In fact, everyone who rides on the floats is required to wear a mask or face paint, so that no face is revealed. To end the extraordinary celebration, New Orleans police officers, as well as the Mayor, go through the crowd by foot or mounted on horseback to officially conclude this event. Mardi Gras is such a unique celebration that leads to a hidden world inside American culture, and if you ever find yourself in New Orleans during the month of Mardi Gras (February), you should definitely consider attending these festivities!
- Hanna Hyche
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