With days full of king cake, campy costumes and celebrations lasting into the early hours of the morning, there isn’t anything quite like Mardi Gras in Louisiana.
With roots deep in the state’s culture and traditions that continue to form, there is much to learn about the high profile celebration. LSU history professor Alecia P. Long taught her Louisiana history class about the holiday the Thursday before Mardi Gras.
Long said Carnival has its origins in Catholic festivals like Charivari, a medieval festival where people would mock certain marriages. These street festivals are where Mardi Gras in Louisiana was born from.
Carnival is celebrated between Twelfth Night on Jan. 6 and Fat Tuesday on Mardi Gras Day. Long talked about the origin of the name “Carnival,” which comes from the Latin phrase, Carne Levare, meaning to leave off meat. The phrase references the season of Lent, which follows Carnival, when Christians abstain from eating meat on Fridays and Ash Wednesday.
During Lent, Christians give up certain foods, activities and vices in preparation for the resurrection of Christ. Mardi Gras is the last moment to indulge before Lent, with “Fat Tuesday” being the last day before fasting.
Long addressed the age-old argument between Alabama and Louisiana over the origins of the holiday. Some believe the first Mardi Gras was in the French settlement of Mobile, Alabama in 1703, and others believe it was in Louisiana, being first settled in 1699.
For many historians, Mardi Gras parades in Louisiana officially appeared in 1837, when the first documentation of the holiday was written. The parades took place in what was then the Creole Sector, the area now known as the French Quarter.
The first glimpse of a more modern Mardi Gras in New Orleans was in 1857 when the Mistick Krewe of Comus began the first official night parade. They, like other krewes to follow, had tableaux balls where people would dress in costumes and perform skits. After the performance the daughters of the members would have their debutante introduction, Long said.
One thing about Mardi Gras balls Long noted to her students was the difference between Mardi Gras balls and common balls, the key difference being presentation. Mardi Gras balls were a type called ‘Bal Masque,’ better known as masquerade balls.
Though Comus was the first night parade, the Krewe no longer rolls. In 1991, the New Orleans City Council passed an ordinance requiring all Mardi Gras krewes to desegregate. Long quoted the author of the book the class was reading, Reid Mitchell, who said the Krewe moved from public presentation after the ordinance was issued to focus on “the display of the social elite to the social elite.”
Mardi Gras has always had a part in political and social unrest, and how Mardi Gras appears some years is indicative of the beliefs and ideas held by its members. For the first time ever, Carnival was suspended in the 1860s because of the Civil War. Long talked about how the years after, there was a focus on death and mourning.
The Rex Organization, also called the King of Carnival, first appeared in 1872 as the first big organized day parade. The organization created Lundi Gras in 1874 and established the Carnival colors: purple for justice, green for faith and gold for power. Rex is known for their philanthropy, and their motto is “Pro Bono Publico,” meaning for the public good.
Long also talked about the “naughtier side” of Mardi Gras, stemming from Storyville, New Orleans’ red light district from 1897-1917. There, sex workers would have parades and balls called French balls.
In the 1950s, Gay Mardi Gras found its start in places like Dixie’s Bar of Music and the Clover Grill. The first organized Gay Mardi Gras krewe was the Krewe of Yuga in 1959. In 1962, their ball was raided, and 98 attendees were arrested for “cross dressing.” Dixie’s Bar bailed them out.
Long said that Gay Mardi Gras begins at Saint Anne Street, which is also called the “Lavender Line.” At the intersection of Saint Anne and Bourbon Street, there is a costume contest on Mardi Gras Day.
“If you want to see some extraordinary costumes, you should go see this,” Long said of the parade.
The lecture moved to Black traditions during the holiday. The Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club was founded in 1909 and their parade starts on the morning of Mardi Gras Day. The parade is a favorite for many and is a core part of Mardi Gras today.
The final aspect of New Orleans Mardi Gras Long focused on were the women of Carnival. For most krewes, women are not allowed to participate. In 1941, the Krewe of Venus became the first women’s parade. Iris was formed in 1917, but they didn’t start parading until 1959.
The Muses are now a fan favorite of many Mardi Gras attendees. With the all-woman parade taking place the Thursday before Mardi Gras, there is always great reception of the Muses’ decorated high-heeled throws and iconic style.
Near the end of class, Long talked about Mardi Gras outside of New Orleans, mentioning Spanish Town held in Baton Rouge. She also talked about Acadian Courir de Mardi Gras, where people dress up in colorful costumes and chase chickens around for the communal gumbo that is made at the end of the day.
“It’s about tradition, creativity, and family…” Long said. “It’s a real community thing.”
Long said her first recommendation for anyone wanting to experience Mardi Gras is to go to New Orleans. Like many LSU students and faculty, this is where Long will be spending the holiday.
“I mean, I’m not putting down any other place, but I think to really be in there a part of that,” Long said. “You don’t have to go to the French Quarter. You can go uptown and be on the parade routes, and there is just nothing else like it.”
