Mardi Gras in New Orleans

Mardi Gras in New Orleans

Mardi Gras, or "Fat Tuesday" in New Orleans is probably one of the biggest carnival events in the United States and in the world. The event includes many traditions, such as the "krewes" throwing beads, doubloons, cups and other "throws" from their floats. Mardi Gras also includes balls, which are by invitation only. Other traditions include king cakes, traditional colors, masks, and costumes (Hall of Festivities, 2010).

The history of Mardi Gras in New Orleans is anthropologically both significant and interesting. The festival is said to have originated in ancient Rome, where the Lupercalia was celebrated. This was a festival to celebrate Lupercus, a pastoral deity. When Christianity came to Rome, the festival was incorporated into the new religious tradition, where the carnival was a period of celebration preceding the penance of Lent. The celebration traveled to France, where it was celebrated as Mardi Gras in Paris since the Middle Ages (Davis, 1997).

It was the French explorer Iberville who brought Mardi Gras to the United States in 1699. Under French rule, masked balls and festivals were the predecessor of the festival we know today. After being banned when New Orleans came under Spanish rule, the masked festivals returned in 1827 (Davis, 1997).