Information from History.com
Mardi Gras has its roots in pagan spring and fertility rites that date back thousands of years. This Christian holiday and popular cultural phenomenon is also known as Carnival or Carnaval, and is celebrated in many countries, especially those with large Roman Catholic populations, on the day before the religious season of Lent begins. Some of the holiday's most famous public festivities take place in Brazil, Venice, and New Orleans, drawing thousands of tourists and revelers each year.
When Christianity spread to Rome, religious leaders incorporated these existing local traditions into the new faith, rather than abolishing them entirely. As a result, the excess and revelry of the Mardi Gras season became a prelude to the 40 days of fasting and penance during Lent. The holiday then spread from Rome to other parts of Europe, including France, Germany, Spain, and England.
The name "Mardi Gras" comes from the French, with "Mardi" meaning Tuesday and "gras" meaning fat. In the days leading up to Ash Wednesday, people would indulge in rich, fatty foods like meat, eggs, milk, lard, and cheese, before the Lenten fast. The word "carnival" also derives from this feasting tradition, coming from the Latin "carnelevarium" meaning "to take away or remove meat."
In 1827, a group of students in New Orleans donned colorful costumes and danced through the streets, emulating revelry they had observed in Paris. A decade later, the first recorded Mardi Gras parade took place in New Orleans, a tradition that continues today. In 1857, a secret society of New Orleans businessmen called the Mistick Krewe of Comus organized an elaborate torch-lit Mardi Gras procession with marching bands and rolling floats, setting the tone for future public celebrations in the city. Since then, krewes have remained a fixture of the Carnival scene throughout Louisiana.
Other lasting Mardi Gras customs include throwing beads and trinkets, wearing masks, decorating floats, and eating King Cake. Did you know? The iconic Mardi Gras colors of purple, gold, and green were established by one of the oldest krewes, Rex, which has been participating in parades since 1872. Louisiana is the only state where Mardi Gras is a legal holiday, but elaborate carnival festivities also draw crowds in other parts of the U.S. during the Mardi Gras season, including Alabama and Mississippi, each with their own unique events and traditions.
Check Out:
Impress Your Friends and Family - A Virtual Cornucopia of Christmas Knowledge
No comments:
Post a Comment