Friday, February 20, 2009

The most comprehensive guide to Louisiana's Carnival season: How To Mardi Gras

Christian world-wide celebration of pre-Lenten emphasis -
Carnaval

Begins in Europe Italy (Roma, Venicia), Germany, Belgium, France, Spain, etc.

Moves to New World along with the Roman Catholic religion: to the Caribbean islands, South America, the US (La and Mobile, Ala).

Carnival and Lent are a Catholic thing. N La is majority Protestant therefore has no direct connection to mardi Gras. Here it's for business, esp tourism.

Lent - fasting, abstinence and bona opera (good works). From Ash
Wed until Holy Week or Easter Sunday.

Fat Tuesday marks the end of Carnival season.
Ash Wed: priest marks parishioners with ashes and says "Remember, man, that from dust you came and to dust you shall return."

Carne: "meat"
vale: "goodbye," or "the end of."
Carnaval: "the end of feasting and partying."
Boeuf gras float: "fatted cow" to be slaughtered for final feast before Lent.

See Valedictorian and Salutatorian.

Blanc et Noir Marching Society: jazz band and New Orleans second line tradition.

Louisiana: triangular southern section is majority Catholic. School holidays!

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