If you’re from South Louisiana, you know that one of the best times of year is Mardi Gras Season.
If you’re not from South Louisiana, then you wish you were.
Mardi Gras has been more than a tradition in the southern region of Louisiana for centuries. The story begins many years ago with the combination of Pagan and Christian festivals. Over time, Mardi Gras has developed into what most consider “one big party.” I am here to convince you, however, that there’s more to the story than that. If you have never experienced traditional Mardi Gras festivities, I strongly encourage it. And no, I am not referring to alcoholic consumption on nationally known streets. But even that idea has been around since the beginning of Mardi Gras. Take a look:
Festival What do you think of when you hear the word festival? Party? Fun? Music and dancing? That’s actually correct. Most of us know that “Mardi Gras” literally means Fat Tuesday in french. This is based on the feasting prior to the fasting of Lent in the Christian faith. It was a celebration in which people indulged themselves with rich food, drink, and folly to prepare for the state of fasting. Basically “getting it out their system” before Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of Lent.
Purple, Green, and Gold These three colors’ association with Mardi Gras is more than “just because they look cool.” You see them on king cakes, striped shirts, flags, beads…pretty much anything associate with the holiday. It is said that these colors were chosen by the Grand Duke Alexis Romanoff of Russia when he visited New Orleans during carnival season. The purple represents justice, green represents faith, and gold is power.
King Cake The King Cake is representing the three Wise Men that sought Christ Jesus. King Cake “season” begins on Jan 6, twelve days after Christmas Day. Centuries later, the idea of the cake was associated with celebration. Similar to the kings seeking out Christ, we too seek out the plastic baby hidden inside the king cake. Now swallowing the plastic baby is a different story…
Masks Associated with the word “carnival” is indulgence and chaos–no matter what century you’re living in. And it is precisely that idea from which wearing masks developed. As a part of the chaotic sense, participants of carnival would wear masks to conceal their identity. Whether it’s 1812 or 2012, social ranking is still a part of our society, but it was during this carnival season that social class was thrown out of the window. By wearing a mask, no one knew which social class you belonged to. Even today, you will realize how fun it is concealing your identity with a mask, especially at Mardi Gras.
Okay now let’s hit on one more important thing: CAJUN COUNTRY MARDI GRAS
Allure Boutique is located in an area of Southern Louisiana populated by thousands who are descendants of the Acadians or “Cajuns” as it is more commonly known. (Just for classification, we don’t row our pirogues “down da bayou” to get to work/school –unless you are featured on the show Swamp People– and Cajun Cooking isn’t burning your dinner but one of the best cuisines filled with more culture and variety than you will ever taste in your life.) But back to Mardi Gras: Cajun culture is incredibly unique and beautiful, as is our Mardi Gras traditions. One in particular is theChicken Chase.
Yes, you read that right. Stay with me on this…
In the spirit of carnival, Cajuns gather together to participate in this colorful event. Dressed in Mardi Gras costumes of colorful frayed material, masks made of wire mesh and pointy hats called “capuchons,” they ride horseback and truck bed on the Mardi Gras Run. In the old days, this was meant as a means of gathering ingredients for a gumbo that would be shared by all the participants. With drinking, singing, and dancing (classic indulgences of carnival) Cajuns gather together everything they need for the gumbo and begin the Chicken Chase. Men and women gather in an area and literally chase a chicken that will be used in the gumbo.
Sound a little crazy? Yeah, we get that a lot.
Bottom line is Mardi Gras is a beautiful celebration filled with culture, tradition, and fun. Every year, people from around the nation travel down to Louisiana for the experience. It’s one that, as Louisianians, we love and show much pride in.Hopefully this year as you attend a parade or festival, you’ll see the colors, the masks, the costumes, the food, the drinks, the music, the cake and realize how beautiful a tradition it really is.
If you are a native of South Louisiana or are experiencing it for the first time, stop by Allure Boutique for cute Mardi Gras apparel and accessories. You can purchase a wreath made of parade beads to hang on your door, a purple, green, and gold fleur de lis Wine Glass and charms to drink in the Louisiana spirit, and of course cute Mardi Gras T shirts that you can only find here!
We wish everyone participating a happy and safe Mardi Gras! As always, laissez les bon temps rouler (Let the good times roll)!
Until next time….
-K
HAPPY MARDI GRAS