Celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans | National Geographic

Summary

New Orleans' Mardi Gras is a vibrant celebration that begins weeks ahead of the Christian season of Lent. The city buzzes with activity, from bakers producing 50 king cakes a day to costume makers crafting ornate attire for lavish balls and parades. Traditions are preserved through old-school king cakes, century-old carnival exhibits, and the crew system that organizes festivities. The event is a significant part of the local economy, requiring diverse skills to construct elaborate floats. Music is an integral element, with New Orleans' musicians deeply influenced by the carnival's rhythm and energy.

Takeaways

• 🎉 New Orleans Mardi Gras is a significant celebration that requires extensive preparations weeks or even months in advance, marking the start of the Christian season of Lent.
• 🍰 Bakeries like New Orleans Cake Cafe become incredibly busy during Carnival season, producing up to 50 king cakes a day, including non-traditional versions like goat cheese and apple stuffed cakes.
• 🎲 The traditional king cake includes a tiny baby or trinket inside, which brings obligations for the person who finds it, such as buying next year's cake, though some places put the baby on the outside.
• 🧣 Sally Hedrick and her son create over 150 ornate costumes for Mardi Gras, costing up to $3,000, for social organizations' balls and parades, highlighting the event's lavish cultural expression.
• 👗 Men dressing in elaborate costumes for Mardi Gras is particularly noted as a departure from the norm, adding a unique aspect to the festivities.
• 🎭 The Louisiana State Museum showcases over a century and a half of Mardi Gras traditions, including items as old as ball invitations from the 1850s, revealing the deep historical roots of the celebration.
• 🎊 The crew system is central to Mardi Gras celebrations, with numerous clubs (krewe spelled with a 'K') organizing lavish balls and parades, a tradition that adds structure and community to the festivities.
• 💎 The Knights of Sparta, a Mardi Gras krewe founded in 1951, exemplifies the secrecy and tradition of krewe leadership, with the captain's identity being hidden to preserve the mystique of the carnival.
• 🏁 Float dens are bustling with activity as Mardi Gras approaches, housing the construction of elaborate floats that are essential to the parades and can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
• 🎶 Music is an indispensable element of Mardi Gras, with Grammy-winning artist Ervin Mayfield emphasizing that Mardi Gras is deeply interwoven with New Orleans' musical culture and community.
• 🏖 To truly understand Mardi Gras, natives suggest that visitors should experience it multiple times and stay longer than a day, indicating the complexity and depth of the celebration.

Q & A

What is the significance of Mardi Gras in New Orleans?

Mardi Gras in New Orleans is a major celebration that takes place before the Christian season of Lent begins. It involves extensive preparations and is marked by various festivities including parades, lavish balls, and the tradition of the king cake.

When does the Mardi Gras season start and end?

The Mardi Gras season starts on January 6th and ends on Fat Tuesday.

What is the role of bakeries during the Mardi Gras season?

Bakeries, like the New Orleans Cake Cafe and Bakery, become very busy during the Mardi Gras season, producing as many as 50 king cakes a day to meet the demand for this traditional pastry.

What is unique about the traditional New Orleans king cake?

The traditional New Orleans king cake has a tiny baby or other trinket baked inside. Whoever finds the trinket has the obligation to buy the next year's king cake.

How do costumes play a role in Mardi Gras celebrations?

Costumes are an essential part of Mardi Gras, with social organizations commissioning ornate costumes for the lavish balls and parades. These costumes can be very expensive, costing thousands of dollars.

What does the Louisiana State Museum contribute to preserving Mardi Gras traditions?

The Louisiana State Museum showcases over a century and a half of New Orleans Mardi Gras traditions through its exhibits and occasionally offers tours of its warehouse, which houses thousands of costumes and other items related to the festival.

What is the 'crew system' in the context of Mardi Gras?

The 'crew system' refers to the clubs known as Mardi Gras crews that organize and participate in the celebrations, including parades and balls. These crews have been a central part of Mardi Gras celebrations for the last 150 years.

Why do members of Mardi Gras crews wear masks?

Members of Mardi Gras crews wear masks as part of the tradition to hide their identity. This allows them to represent their crew without personal association during the festivities.

What are the economic impacts of Mardi Gras in New Orleans?

Mardi Gras has a significant economic impact on New Orleans. It creates jobs for many people, including carpenters, artists, welders, and mechanics, who are involved in constructing and decorating the elaborate floats.

How important is music to the Mardi Gras celebrations?

Music is an integral part of Mardi Gras, with celebrations taking place not just in the parades but also in homes, on the streets, and at parties and receptions. It is said that it's hard to have Mardi Gras without music, and it plays a significant role in shaping the musicians of New Orleans.

What advice do New Orleans natives give to those wanting to understand Mardi Gras?

New Orleans natives suggest that to truly understand Mardi Gras, one should visit and stay in the city for an extended period, rather than just for a single day, to experience the full range of traditions and festivities.