Mardi Gras Day

Although Mardi Gras Day is a bit redundant it adds clarity to the phrase. Mardi Gras means "Fat Tuesday" in french. So although the whole season is referred to as Mardi Gras it's not truly Mardi Gras until Fat Tuesday (the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.) The season is technically Carnival.

Regardless this Mardi Gras, instead of waking up early and going to Zulu and Rex, I spent with Mardi Gras Indians. The tribe I spent with was the Congo Nation. I arrived at the meeting house around 7 o'clock there were already people awake and working. They were finishing up the elaborate costumes. Once the costumes were finished we sat inside and participated in chants. Once everyone was dressed more chants were sung outside. There was then a march around the block. Following that they were to head down to claiborne to meet the other Mardi Gras Indian tribes.

This was a beautiful cultural experience that I think everyone could gain something from. When people talk about the Spirit of Louisiana or the Spirituality of New Orleans this is what they are referring to.

To believe these costumes are hand made!