The Carnival On Mardi Gras In New Orleans example essay topic

This paper is about Mardi Gras, A festival or Carnival celebrated once a year. In this paper I will discuss how Mardi Gras originated, when it is celebrated, how it is celebrated, and what does it mean to all the different cultures. Mardi Gras, in the French speaking parts of the world and in some US southern states is the last day of carnival festivities preceding Lent, the time of penitence observed by Christians in preparation for Easter. Mardi Gras ("Fat Tuesday") is a French term for Shrove Tuesday, the day before the start of Lent.

Before Lent festivities reach the climax on a day in February or March, depending on what date Easter is. (Americana pg. 308) French colonists brought Mardi Gras to America in the early 1700's. It grew popular in New Orleans, Louisiana, and spread through the southern states. MardiGras is a legal holiday in Alabama and Florida and in eight counties of Louisiana. The New Orleans celebration is the most famous. But Biloxi, Mississippi, and Mobile, Alabama also have celebrations.

(World Book pg. 197) History of Mardi Gras in New Orleans during the 18th century. Many wealthy Louisiana families would leave their rural plantations to spend the winter months in New Orleans, where they held lavish parties and masked balls. The first written reference to Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans appears in a 1781 report of the Spanish government, which controlled Louisiana. The report addressed problems that might arise from allowing slaves to wear masks at the winter festivities. The United States took control of Louisiana in 1803, and the New Orleans' city council banned all masked entertainment three years later. Enforcement of the law appears to have been erratic.

By the mid-1820's masks and costumes were again legal. The first documented Mardi Gras parade took place in 1837, and the parade soon became an annual tradition. However, outbursts of violence at the parades gave the festivities a bad name. ("Mardi Gras" Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 99) Shrove Tuesday immediately precedes Ash Wednesday and is the last day before Lent. Mardi Gras has been noted for the elaborate mum ming parades and boisterous parties that characterize its celebration in New Orleans, Trinidad, France and Italy. The name comes from the custom of "shriving" or purification through confessing ones sins prior to Lent.

The holiday is related to the coming of a New Year. (The Folklore of American Holidays pg. 84-97) In England, football games were played on shrove Tuesday, ritualistic contests embodying the conflict between winter and summer, darkness and light, death and rebirth. Traditional food for this holiday includes thick soups of pigs feet, beans, peas, and pancakes. In fact " Pancake Day" is another name for Shrove Tuesday. Carnival season begins on Twelfth Night and ends at Midnight on Mardi Gras. (The Folklore of American Holidays pg. 84-97) Mardi Gras goes back to an ancient Roman custom of merry making before a period of fast.

In Germany MardiGras is called Fast nacht. In England it is called pancake day or pancake Tuesday. (World Book 2000 pg. 197) Around 1820 a group of Creole youths, returning to New Orleans from Paris, decided to liven things up in the continental style with a masked procession of substantial size. They appeared in the streets in every variety of costume while women leaned over galleries to throw roses and bonbons. (The Folklore of American Holidays pg. 84-97) In 1857, the date usually given as the beginning of the Mardi Gras, a new organization was formed. It was to present a parade with floats and torch lights.

The organization called itself "The Mystic Krewe of Comus", and it put on a parade of two floats: one carrying a King, the other showing Satan in a blazing hell. Since that time only major conflicts have interfered, the Spanish American war not having been considered "Major". (The Folklore of American Holidays pg. 84-97) Mardi Gras owes its present day exuberance to a twenty two year old Russian Grand Duke, who was present only by chance. In 1872 Alexis Alexandrovich Romanov, brother to the tsar's heir apparent, was in America traveling. While in New York he became enamored of an actress, Lydia Thompson, who was then appearing in "Bluebeard". As she sang the song "If Ever I Cease To Love", Alexis found himself completely lost to her charms.

He trailed her on a tour south and caught up with her in New Orleans. It was almost Mardi Gras and when the local inhabitants discovered a real Grand Duke was to be among them, they sat up and took notice. A new carnival Krewe was elaborated". A new king was named -Rex- Lord of Misrule. An official holiday was announced and street maskers were forbidden to form a united procession. Carnival colors were chosen - purple, green, and gold.

Atthe city hall a throne like chair was erected for Alexis. Alexis arrived on the scene and the parade ensued. Since all the bands knew of his great liking for the song "If Ever I Cease To Love", band after band played it. The song has remained an integral part of Mardi Gras.

Alexis Alexandrovich had helped to fix the pattern that Mardi Gras would thence forth follow: official holiday, Rex, and " If Ever I Cease To Love" as its song. (The Folklore of American Holidays pg. 84-97) Mardi Gras in New Orleans attracts tourists from around the world. Parades begin the week before MardiGras. Societies called Krewes organize and pay for the parades and other festivities. During the carnival season, they parade in masks and fancy dress. A parade of floats and marching bands climaxes the carnival on Mardi Gras.

Riders on the floats throw necklaces and coins called doubloons to onlookers. Each year there is a theme. (World book 2000 pg. 197) Mardi Gras is a traditional Cajun celebration dating back to the 1800's in which costumed revelers and musicians follow a masked rider from house to house seeking ingredients for a gumbo, while performing tricks and antics. Public is invited to join the courier Du MardiGras to parade along with Krewe members - ending downtown with a fa is do-do (dance). Trophies are awarded for most authentic and original costume". (refer to work cited page web address: port arthur. com/) The Mardi Gras season begins for many people on January 6 when king cakes are served during the feast of Epiphany, a holiday commemorating the day three kings arrived from the east to honor the Christ child. King cakes are circular pastries usually decorated in the Mardi Gras colors.

Traditionally, a king cake containing a bean or a small baby figurine was divided and served to the unmarried women attending a Mardi Gras banquet. Whoever received the slice containing the hidden object was crowned queen of the festival. Today king cakes are popular with office workers, and the person who finds the hidden treasure is obliged to buy the next day's cakes. Carnival parades through the streets of New Orleans begin 12 days before Mardi Gras day. Most parades, sponsored by private and highly secretive organization known as Krewes, combine imagery from classical Greek and Roman mythology with satirical references to contemporary events. During the parades, costumed Krewemembers ride highly decorated floats and toss strings of plastic beads and other trinkets into the crowds of spectators lining the streets.

Many Krewes hold elaborate private balls following their parades. On Mardi Gras day many ordinary people dress in costume and wander through the city. Revelers jam the narrow streets of the city's oldest neighborhood, known as the French Quarter. The atmosphere in the French Quarter is marked by drunken euphoria and general abandon. African American Mardi Gras Traditions Although modern Mardi Gras festivities have become increasingly integrated since the 1960's. The African American community of New Orleans has long nurtured a number of distinctive carnival customs.

The largest African American Krewe of Mardi Gras is the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club Inc., which presents one of the premier attractions of the Mardi Gras season. Combining Mardi Gras revelry with features reminiscent of an elaborate minstrel show, the Zulu parade is especially boisterous. Many Zulu's march in blackface (black makeup traditionally used in minstrel shows) and wear grass skirts as they distribute gold-painted coconuts to crowds of observers. Another important African American Carnival tradition is the annual appearance of the Mardi Gras Indians, groups of black men who dance through the streets in costumes inspired by the traditional clothing of Native Americans. Each member of a Mardi Gras Indians tribe creates his own costume, usually incorporating colorful feathers and intricate beadwork. Most scholars believe that the Mardi Gras Indians tradition began in the late 19th century.

In the past, rivalries between tribes sometimes led to violent confrontations. Today, such conflicts have given way to a competition among the Mardi Gras Indian tribes for the most elaborate costume. ("Mardi Gras" Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 99) Mardi Gras continues to attract tourists to New Orleans from around the world. Today Mardi Gras draws more than 3 million people to parades and generates approximately $1 billion for the local economy. ("Mardi Gras " Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 99).