Mardi Gras is in the Air!

Laissez les bon temps rouler!  Mardi Gras season is in full swing and it’s party time all over Louisiana. Did y’all know that the Mardi Gras tradition came here all the way from Rome? The roman celebration was known as Carnival. Carnival was a celebration that began with the pagans and was inspired by their traditions. Soon, the Roman Catholic churches adopted the concept in an attempt to let loose before the solemn season of Lent, which is the 40 days Catholics partake in penitence between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. Entertainment was provided through parades, masquerade balls, music, feasts, and lots of parties! The term Mardi Gras actually came from France and means fat Tuesday.  This phrase is quite fitting for the event! Sounds like fun, right?

The king cake is another predominant Mardi Gras tradition, which started with the pagans as a western roman tradition of sacrifice. A cake, the king cake, was baked and some novelty item was placed in it such as a coin, and the man to get the piece with the coin was chosen to be the king for the year and was honored in such a way. At the end of the year, the same “king” was sacrificed in hopes that the community would be given a plentiful harvest. Thank goodness, when you find the baby in the king cake now-days the punishment isn’t quite so harsh; you are only expected to provide the next king cake. 

Today’s traditions include parades, music, beads, lots of food and so much more! If you’ve never experienced Mardi Gras, it’s a “Must See Event!”