http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/history.html
Early this year but it has been a good Mardi Gras season.
Here is a link to a little history for those who need to know.
> Here is a link to a little history for those who need to know.
Okay, I have carefully read that history, but I find no mention of the old tradition of women exposing themselves in exchange for plastic beads. When did this actually start? Was it before or after plastic was invented?
On a side note, there is nothing about chicory in coffee in the account of mardi gras. Is that more of an Ash Wednesday (Mercredi des Cendres) tradition?
I believe you are confusing Mardi Gras in New Orleans with the annual "t!ts and puke" festival which is held concurrently in a small six block area. The two are unrelated.
Having lived and worked in the French Quarter, I can tell you that the “Show me your Teats – Throw me some beads” experience was introduced by out –of- town Mardi Gras visitors and not by locals. Guests who were staying in Bourbon Street hotels would gather on their balconies and make the offer to females below on the street. The alcohol consumption was the catalyst for the live for the moment experience, so out of town females of all age and sizes decided to participate. Of course, breaking of any public nudity laws was treated by “looking the other way’ by officials so to speak. After all, if you can load up hotels with tourists and have them spend huge amounts of money to come to Mardi Gras to catch some plastic beads in the street, it is a no brainer. Mardi Gras to some is definitely a Spring rite for those who may be inhibited in their normal life back in Texas or the Midwest etc.
Of course, it all goes back to the King of the Bean in Roman times. Having read The Golden Bough, you should know of the unlicensed human behavior associated with the custom.
I really do not want to go over the coffee/chicory conversation again. In the city, it is a custom going back, some say to the civil war (rationing)- coffee stretcher) and some say before that to European roots.. Café au lait is much more than a cup of coffee to some. It also has its custom of blending the hot milk and coffee from two different vessels above the cup where the white/dark mix in the air as it fills the cup. It has a richer taste to regular coffee. The Italian immigrants who came to the city immediately liked the brew since adding chicory ( Endive Family) seem not so foreign. But once gain is is something foreign to people from other places.
The only tradition of Lent besides the ashes of Wednesday repentance is the bountiful Friday fish frys that pop up everywhere Fridays leading to Easter. I guess you may have concerns about that also. 😉
Have a great Mardi Gras… The bouef is being prepared here for Roast Debris poboys along with the wine. Music readydy and off to see our little towns Mayberry –like parade and there is a nice sweet king cake of the almond variety.. .maybe I will get the bean…I mean baby.
Our big town parades was on the evening of Feb 7 – Olympia. Getting bigger every year.
This reminds me, pancakes, sausage, bacon and scrambled eggs for dinner tonight.
http://www.wildinthestreetsmovie.com/ip/
You may like this socio- Shrovetide experience.
P?czki Day for all you Polish folk.
Niech zdarzy dobre czasy!
