Cognitive - Content

Saturday, February 25, 2006

Mardi Gras

Today seems to be the official Mardi gras weekend and i thought let me figure out what it means.. and this is what i figured out.



Brief History about Mardi gras up first...

Mardi Gras came to America in 1699 with the French explorers, Iberville and Bienville. Mardi Gras had been celebrated in Paris since the Middle Ages, where it was a major holiday. Iberville sailed into the Gulf of Mexico, from where he launched an expedition up the Mississippi River. On March 3 of 1699, Iberville had set up a camp on the west bank of the river about 60 miles south of where New Orleans is today. This was the day Mardi Gras was being celebrated in France. In honor of this important day, Iberville named the site Point du Mardi Gras.

A couple of decades later, Bienville founded New Orleans and soon Carnival celebrations were an annual event highlighted by lavish balls and masked spectacles. However the Parades officially began in 1838. Between 1838 and now, Mardi gras has had atleast a couple of re-births.

The organisations participating in the parade are called Krewe, however not all of them can call themselves Krewe, there seems to be certain rules with that which i dont have a clue about... The traditional color of Mardi Gras are purple, gold, and green, These are said to have been chosen in 1892, when the Rex Parade theme "Symbolism of Colors" gave the colors their meanings..Now you may ask, What is Rex? Rex is Latin for "King", and Rex reigns as "The King of Carnival",( there is a history to tself.. which you might want to explore if youre intrested).

Each year, the Mardi Gras (or Carnival) season starts on January 6, also known as "Twelfth Night and continues until the midnight of Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. The date for Ash Wednesday, of course, changes from year to year depending on the date of Easter. Well that leaves more explanation , Ash wednesday is the day after Mardi Gras and the first day of Lent , and Fat tuesday the Tuesday before Ash wednesday, is also known as Mardi gras in French. In some places it is also called Pancake Tuesday ( In simple terms it means have a feast before the fasting begins..).

Ok , think I kind of covered some history and terms here, for a first timer (that includes me)... Looks like a nice time to be around visiting places.. If you are in the US, New orleans is the place to be right now,Howver dont expect much flashing ( I am not going to explain that.. Find out for yourself)
Hopefully Mardi Gras should wipe out some tears from the eyes of those whose families were left devastated by katrina. Let the Happy times Begin.

PS: Do correct me guys if i got the facts wrong..

Now some pics..