Mardi Gras By: Veronica Wentzel, Jennifer Morrow, Ashton Vaughn, & Brianna Stefanelli

History of Mardi Gras• Began in Rome– “Lupercalia”-a circus-like orgy held in mid-February

in Rome– Created as a period of merriment that would serve as a

prelude to Lent

• Mardi Gras came to America in 1699- French explorer Iberville– Had been celebrated in Paris since the Middle Ages– Iberville was on route up the Mississippi River– Set up camp on March 3, 1699 in present day New Orleans– Began the celebration in Point du Mardi Gras

• 1700’s- Pre-lenten masked balls were popular in New Orleans– Tradition under French

Rule• Spanish Rule in 1803-

banned masked balls until 1823

• 1827-street masking allowed

• Celebrations included: decorated carriages, masked people on foot and horseback

• First Documented Parade: 1837 (parades began 1831 in Mobile)

• 1840’s & 50’s- celebrations became violent and were given a bad reputation

• Comus Organization (Mobile, AL) demonstrated and made Mardi Gras entertainment a safe and festive event.

• 1871- custom of the King’s cake begins and the first queen of Mardi Gras

• 1872- first king of Mardi Gras- Grand Duke Alexis Romanoff

America’s Greatest Party• Parades

– Begin February 5th, 2012 and end on February 21st, 2012

– Usually some days have parades back to back

– http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/mardigras/parades.html

• Parties • Masquerade Balls• Food • Beads• Masks• Costumes

• n

Krewes of Mardi Gras• Krewes: any group or

organization of revelers to band together to host a Mardi Gras ball, ride on a Mardi Gras parade float, and participate in social events throughout the year.– Some krewes stay active

throughout the year through volunteering and hosting events

• More than 50 krewes- number continues to grow each season

• Krewe of Rex: King of the Carnival – First appeared in 1872– Most famous global symbol of

Mardi Gras– All male krewe– Where the colors of Mardi Gras

originated– Main parade on Mardi Gras– http://

www.rexorganization.com/Downloads/2012/RexParadeNotes12.pdf

King’s Cake

• One of the most popular foods of Mardi Gras– In stores from January 6th-

Ash Wednesday

• A confection made of braided Danish pastry, laced with cinnamon

• Always iced in Mardi Gras colors- purple, green, and gold

• Video– http://www.youtube.com/

watch?v=sQpOINW4FtA&feature=youtu.be

• Hidden in each King’s cake is a plastic baby or red bean, representing the Christ child

• Whoever finds the bean or baby, brings/buys the next year’s King’s cake OR hosts the next party.

Fun Facts

• Colors: – Purple- Justice– Green- Faith– Gold- Power– Named by a grand duke

of Russia• Video http://

www.history.com/videos/mardi-gras-parade-krewes#mardi-gras-origins

• Mardi Gras- means Fat Tuesday in French

• The term Carnival comes from the Latin expression meaning “farewell to the flesh”

• Anthem: “If I Ever Cease To Love”

• Over 50 countries celebrate their own version of Mardi Gras!

Online References

• http://www.eastjeffersonparish.com/culture/MARDIGRA/HISTORY/history.htm

• http://www.neworleansonline.com • http://www.rexorganization.com• www.history.com