The history of Mardi Gras celebrations as a whole and where it all began has been debated for some time now. Some have theories that it began from tribal fertility rites, others that it came from an ancient Greek celebration and still others who say it stemmed from the French tradition of sacrificing young bulls to the gods (Hardy, 10). No matter the differences in beliefs, one thing remains; its strong roots in the Catholic Church and its purpose. Mardi Gras, or “Fat Tuesday” is celebrated the day before Ash Wednesday and the start of the Lenten season. Lent is a 40-day period meant for fasting and releasing oneself of bad habits. This period of fasting became known as “Carnival,” which translates from Latin, carnelevamen, meaning, “farewell to flesh.” The purpose of the pre-Lenten season celebration was meant to indulge one last time before the period of penance to follow (Hardy, 11).
After reading its possible origins, you may be wondering how this celebration made its way to North America. According to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, during the 17th century, a young French Canadian Pierre LeMoyne, Sieur d’Iberville, was exploring the Mississippi River when he and his men decided to camp for the night at the river’s bend. It is said that it has been recorded in his journal that he decided to name the spot they made camp, Pointe du Mardi Gras, in tribute to the festive holiday being celebrated that day at his home in France (Hardy 11). After this, the holiday made its way to different areas of the Deep South in varying ways. For example, New Orleans adopted Mardi Gras celebrations officially, around the 1830s, when street festivities on Mardi Gras day became common. This is when the newspapers began printing announcements of the masked peoples scheduled to parade down the streets and crowds of others would gather to watch and join in the celebration.
You may be wondering if these New Orleans Mardi Gras celebrations were the first in the United States. The answer to this question, though having been debated for years, remains unanswered. The main argument that seems to prevail is that Mobile’s celebration of Mardi Gras originally dates from New Year’s Eve in 1830 (Hardy 15). During this celebration, people used rakes and bells as noisemakers and paraded the streets in celebration. This celebration and parading was adopted and grew year after year in size and popularity. In later years, this group of paraders added large floats and themes to their parades and eventually were invited to march in New Orleans. This led to the founding of New Orleans’ first Mardi Gras organization by none other than the former Mobile marchers, Thad Smith and Joseph Churchill (Hardy 15).
In traveling just a few hours west of New Orleans into the heart of Cajun country, one finds a Mardi Gras that shares common origin with New Orleans and Mobile but differs greatly in the celebration of traditions. The begging traditions found in rural Louisiana are believed to be introduced by Acadians. It is suggested by the complex settlement history that Louisiana holds, that the customs were derived from elements of celebration originating in France, and later Canada, that made their way to Louisiana through French settlers (Sexton, 3). According to an article by Rocky L. Sexton, Mardi Gras was found in rural communities with close social networks. It is further explained that these networks are “primary units of past Louisiana French identity because most social life was limited to these insular Francophone confines and there were no larger social institutions that promoted a broader identity,” (Sexton, 3).
After reading its possible origins, you may be wondering how this celebration made its way to North America. According to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, during the 17th century, a young French Canadian Pierre LeMoyne, Sieur d’Iberville, was exploring the Mississippi River when he and his men decided to camp for the night at the river’s bend. It is said that it has been recorded in his journal that he decided to name the spot they made camp, Pointe du Mardi Gras, in tribute to the festive holiday being celebrated that day at his home in France (Hardy 11). After this, the holiday made its way to different areas of the Deep South in varying ways. For example, New Orleans adopted Mardi Gras celebrations officially, around the 1830s, when street festivities on Mardi Gras day became common. This is when the newspapers began printing announcements of the masked peoples scheduled to parade down the streets and crowds of others would gather to watch and join in the celebration.
You may be wondering if these New Orleans Mardi Gras celebrations were the first in the United States. The answer to this question, though having been debated for years, remains unanswered. The main argument that seems to prevail is that Mobile’s celebration of Mardi Gras originally dates from New Year’s Eve in 1830 (Hardy 15). During this celebration, people used rakes and bells as noisemakers and paraded the streets in celebration. This celebration and parading was adopted and grew year after year in size and popularity. In later years, this group of paraders added large floats and themes to their parades and eventually were invited to march in New Orleans. This led to the founding of New Orleans’ first Mardi Gras organization by none other than the former Mobile marchers, Thad Smith and Joseph Churchill (Hardy 15).
In traveling just a few hours west of New Orleans into the heart of Cajun country, one finds a Mardi Gras that shares common origin with New Orleans and Mobile but differs greatly in the celebration of traditions. The begging traditions found in rural Louisiana are believed to be introduced by Acadians. It is suggested by the complex settlement history that Louisiana holds, that the customs were derived from elements of celebration originating in France, and later Canada, that made their way to Louisiana through French settlers (Sexton, 3). According to an article by Rocky L. Sexton, Mardi Gras was found in rural communities with close social networks. It is further explained that these networks are “primary units of past Louisiana French identity because most social life was limited to these insular Francophone confines and there were no larger social institutions that promoted a broader identity,” (Sexton, 3).