# 68 Wildclickers arranging a ball

Beautiful photo, ul!

Maggie, glad you found the thread!

sumac, good articles!

Howdy, all!

Here's a few interesting Mardi Gras facts

The Origins of Mardi Gras -

Mardi Gras is the day before Ash Wednesday and is literally translated from the French meaning "Fat Tuesday." It is also known as Shrove Tuesday, Fastnachtsdienstag (Faschingsdienstag) in Germany and locally, Kinkling Day. It is a day when people eat all they want of everything and anything they want as the following day is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of a long fasting period for Christians. The Mardi Gras celebration ends abruptly at midnight on Tuesday. The actual date can fall between February 3 and March 9 depending on the Lunar calendar, used by the Catholic Church to determine the date of Easter. Mardi Gras is always 47 days before Easter Sunday.

The history of Mardi Gras began long before Europeans set foot in the New World. In mid February the ancient Romans celebrated the Lupercalia, a circus-like festival. Mardi Gras came to America in 1699 with the French explorer, Iberville, and had been celebrated in Paris since the Middle Ages. Iberville sailed into the Gulf of Mexico, where he launched an expedition up the Mississippi River. On March 3, 1699, the day Mardi Gras was being celebrated in France, Iberville had set up a camp on the west bank of the river about 60 miles south of where New Orleans is today. In honor of this important day, Iberville named the site Point du Mardi Gras. Iberville's voyage up the Mississippi brought the tradition of Mardi Gras to America.

During the late 1700's, masked balls and festivals were common in New Orleans while it was under French rule. When the Spanish government took control the custom was banned. In 1803 New Orleans came under the US flag and the prohibition against masked festivals continued until 1823 when the Creole populace convinced the governor to permit masked balls. In 1827 street masking was again legalized.

During the early 1800's public celebrations of Mardi Gras centered around maskers on foot, in carriages and on horseback. The first documented parade occurred in 1837. Unfortunately, Mardi Gras gained a negative reputation because of violent behavior attributed to "maskers" during the 1840's and 50's. The situation became so bad that the press began calling for an end to the celebration. In 1857 six New Orleaneans saved Mardi Gras by forming the Comus organization. They added beauty to Mardi Gras and demonstrated that it could be a safe and festive event. Comus was the first organization to use the term "krewe" to describe itself. They also started the customs of having a secret Carnival society, having a parade with a unifying theme with floats, and having a ball after the parade. The celebration of Mardi Gras was interrupted by the Civil War, but in 1866, to everyone's pleasure it returned.

In 1871 the Twelfth Night Revelers began the custom of presenting a young woman with a golden bean hidden in a cake. This young woman was the first queen of Mardi Gras. This was also the origin of the king cake tradition. In 1872 Grand Duke Alexis Romanoff of Russia visited New Orleans. This year the krewe of Rex made their debut and began the tradition of the "King of Carnival." Rex also introduced purple, gold and green as the official colors of Mardi Gras. Purple represents justice, green stands for faith and gold signifies power. During this time "If Ever I Cease To Love" became the Mardi Gras anthem and it was the first year that there was a daytime parade. Mardi Gras was cancelled in 1918 and 1919 when the US was involved in the First World War. The celebration struggled through the 1920's and early 30's, which saw Prohibition and The Great Depression. With the rise of mass produced automobiles, random truck riders had become a part of the parade fun. The celebration was once again cancelled in the 1940's for the Second World War. By 1950 Mardi Gras was prospering once again with the appearance of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. The Fifties also saw the replacement of mule drawn floats with ones drawn by tractors. The 1960's saw bigger changes to Mardi Gras with the appearance of bigger floats and Hollywood celebrities. The Seventies brought a ban on parading in the French Quarter, ending a 117 year tradition. Mardi Gras also made national headlines at the close of the decade with a police strike which cancelled 13 parades in Orleans Parish.

A Brief History of the Mardi Gras Indians -

http://www.mardigrasdigest.com/Sec_mgind/history.htm

That brief h istory of the "Mardi Gras" Indians is indeed fascinating, as eventually an alliance was formed between Indians and African slaves, as the former helped the latter.

" In 1699, Pierre Le Moyne', declares his camp "Pointe du Mardi Gras", (Mardi Gras Point), as Louisiana's first European settler's entered the Mississippi Delta Gulf Coast Region, and in 1711, a mere two years later, Native Indians were first taken as slaves.

Taken to exploit the cheap source of labor, to clear the area to be used as a port, and to learn knowledge of how to survive in the new land, the Indians endured. Some were Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Blackfoot. Even then, there was thought of Mardi Gras, as the white men of the colony of mobile, formed a Boeuf Graf Society.

Then in 1718, Jean-Baptise Le Moyne', Pierre's brother, founded the port colony and river fort of Nouvelle Orle'ans, (New Orleans). Indians slaves are among the thieves, cut throats, prostitutes, and beggars that were the first settlers.
But the Indians were not highly prized as slaves because, their love of freedom was so fierce, that they would run into the bayou and disappear into other camps which the French and later the Spanish wouldn't dare venture into.
Slaves from Africa & the West Indies Arrive

A call went out the governor to appropriate African slaves for the area, since they were known to be better workers and could not survive in the swamp. A mere year later, in 1719, the first 2 shiploads of African Slaves arrive at the port of New Orleans, for sale in New Orleans.
Napoleon also used the port for a respite for the slaves and crew after the trip from Africa to give the crew a chance to clean and re-outfit the ships for the trip to Haiti. Slaves were given their first chance, in 2 to 6 months, to stretch out on dry land. Some would be sold here. Most were held in the slave pens all along, on what is now Camp street.
For two years things were kept in order, as the African, West Indies, and Haitian slaves were trained in running plantations and working there. Slowly, the slaves and the Indians began to understand each other's language, and this improved their co-operative efforts to work in harmony together. It also gave them the way to plan things, such as escapes. So, it was inevitable, that in 1722, the first known escape of a slave from a plantation, took place. In the archives, there is no mention of if he was ever found. One must assume that he was never heard from
again."

Thanks Stradee and sumac - I like that history stuff.

Stradee, what's with the "golden bean"??

all clickedddddddddddd

I like the history stuff too. Thanks for posting that Stradee.

Going to go click.

Dan,

The King Cake tradition came to New Orleans with the French settlers around 1870, continuing a custom dating back to twelfth century France. Similar cakes were used then to celebrate the coming of the three wise men calling it the feast of Epiphany, Twelfth Night, or King's Day.

The cake is made with a rich Danish dough, baked and covered with a sugar topping in Mardi Gras colors; purple representing justice, green representing faith, and gold representing power

Here are a few variations of the King Cake, but there are many designs.

Dan,

1871 -------- Carnival's second Krewe emerges as the Twelfth Night Reveler's. They select Mardi Gras's First ever queen by drawing a golden bean from a King Cake. They hold the first grand march at a masked ball. First account of "Throws".

Modern Mardi Gras preparation of the cake, replaced the golden bean with a small plastic baby, and the person who finds the object, provides a king cake for the next carnival party they attend.

Here are interesting facts from a timeline page, beginning the year 1510...

http://www.mardigrasdigest.com/html/mardi_gras_history__timeline.htm

Fascinating! I'm a history fan as well. How knowledgeable you all are! Have you ever been to Mardi Gras in New Orleans? It's definitely something to experience!

All clicked!

dev, no - i've not been to Mardi Gras - but i bet it is a sight to see.

Masks and costumes, traditional floats, etc. Amazing stuff.

Luved the photo ul posted too! Intricate, and beautiful - mask making an art form to be admired.

I haven't been either - or to New Orleans. I would love, or would have loved, to have spent time there. It may not come back to the way it was. Probably won't.

Amigo, a ball is also time for conversation- from small talk to politics and business.

It is fascinating to read about the old ideas which are connected with carnival.
Some people think carnival was a healthy political escape valve for oppressed people- for one day the beggar became king and the king became fool.It helped to maintain a status quo.

In the States do you have carnival parties where you disguise yourself, wear masks?
Next week we will have the Fasching Day at school- that is a party and everyone has to show up in a custom and mask. No lessons, just games and fun.

chatting at the ball

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aktbird57 - You and your 290 friends have supported 2246188.3 square feet!

Marine Wetlands habitat supported: 99,684.9 square feet.
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American Prairie habitat supported: 48,080.7 square feet.
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Rainforest habitat supported: 2,098,422.7 square feet.
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2246188.3 square feet is equal to 51.57 acres

Stradee,
thanks for the timeline link.... It's very interesting and informative - except there is no mention of the local tribe of Native Americans who inhabited the area - the Caddo. The Caddo - in fact - are the originators of the name "TEXAS". In the Caddo language the name translates to = "the land of friendly people." The Spanish used the name and most people think of the term as Spanish - which it's not. It's Caddo. The tribe actually had some sophstication akin to the Cherokee from which the "Trail of Tears" was established by one of our past presidents.

Dan, I'd never heard of the Caddos either until your posting. Interesting that Caddos survive today - and are not mentioned at Mardi Gras, even though they originated from what whites named "Caddo Province".

<not a surprise given the politics and removal of indians from their lands> but i believe you all will find "The History Of Caddos" interesting and informative.

The Caddo Indians are the principal southern representatives of the great Caddoan linquisitc family, which include the Wichita, Kichai, Pawnee, and Arikara. Thier confederacy consisted of several tribes or divisions, claiming as their original territory, all of the Red River and adjacent country in Lousiana, eastern Texas, and So. Arkansas...

http://ops.tamu.edu/x075bb/caddo/Indians.html#I3

Thanks for the interesting links.

In Great Britain Carnival, or more specific the last three days before lent, is called Shrovetide.
Mardi Gras- Fat Tuesday- is also called Pancake Day.

What happens on
Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day) in England?

Pancake on a platePancakes are eaten (recipe) and pancake races are held in villages and towns. The object of the race is to get to the finishing line first, carrying a frying pan with a cooked pancake in it whilst flipping the pancake a pre-decided number of times. The skill lies not so much in the running of the race but in flipping and catching the pancake, which must be intact when the finishing line is reached.

Tossing Pancakes (pancake racing)
The most famous one takes place at Olney. According to tradition, in 1445 a woman of Olney heard the shriving bell while she was making pancakes and ran to the church in her apron, still clutching her frying pan.

The Olney pancake race is now world famous. Competitors have to be local housewives and they must wear an apron and a hat or scarf.

Each contestant has a frying pan containing a hot, cooking pancake. She must toss it three times during the race that starts at the market square at 11.55 am. The first woman to complete the winding 375-metre course (the record is 63 seconds set in 1967) and arrive at the church, serve her pancake to the bellringer, and be kissed by him, is the winner. She also receives a prayer book from the vicar.

Annual Pancake Grease
At the famous Westminster School in London, the annual Pancake Grease is held. A verger from Westminster Abbey leads a procession of eager boys into the playground where the school cook tosses a huge pancake over a five-metre high bar. The boys then race to grab a portion of the pancake and the one who ends up with the largest piece receives a cash bonus from the Dean.
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/shrove.html

A recipe
INGREDIENTS

1/2 Ib (220g) self raising flour
1 pint (500 ml)milk
2 eggs
pinch salt
1 1/2 oz (40 g) lard
1 lemon
sugar for sprinkling

METHOD

Sieve the flour and salt into a basin, making a well in the centre. Break the eggs one at a time and pour into the well. Gradually beat the eggs and flour together, adding the milk little by little until creamy consisitency has been reached. Beat the batter for a few minutes to aerate it, and leave to stand for an hour or so if possible.

Heat the frying pan or griddle with a little lard and pour enough batter to cover the area needed. Cook until the top is dry, and then either toss or turn the pancake and cook the other side until brown.

Turn out onto a greaseproof paper, sprinkle with sugar and lemon juice as desired and roll up before serving.

Connection to the US:
Since 1950 Olney has competed with Liberal in Kansas, which holds an identical race, to see which town can produce the fastest competitor. After the 2000 race, Liberal was leading with 26 wins to Olney's 24.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/shrovetuesday.shtml

"... as fit as a pancake for Shrove Tuesday."
William Shakespeare (All's Well that Ends Well)

Stradee and ul, thanks for the links...... I was not familiar with the "Pancake Race" - but, it sounds and looks like a fun time. And very tastefully done too.

Also, the link to the Caddo is very interesting and I have saved it to my Favorites. :wink:

Here is an interesting thing connected to the name Caddo. Very near my home here is a large, swampy lake named Caddo Lake. In the early days of the E Texas oil boom - some men decided to drill a well in the middle of the lake. That well became the very first "off shore" oil well in the world.

all klicked..........................

I do declare this thread is a veritalble treasure trove of knowledge, and you are all treasures to boot!

In reference to Mardi Gras in New Orleans (or "Nawlins" as the locals say it) I have been, and to the city when it wasn't Mardi Gras. So sad what's happened. It was a grand time for me - some people were a little too drunk & raucous for my liking at times, but I had a good time. If you ever get to go, try the beignet at the Cafe du Monde or Cafe Beignet. It's a local fried pastry eaten covered with powdered sugar. One must also check out the architecture of the French Quarter. I've heard that the antebellum mansions along the shore are no more, but they were also something to see. Don't forget to peruse the shops and a local jazz club or two ... and have a Hurricane at Pat O'brien's on Bourbon Street!

Gonna go click now.

devriesj - you're so right - this is an absolute treasure trove of information

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aktbird57 - You and your 290 friends have supported 2,247,827.2 square feet!

Marine Wetlands habitat supported: 99,848.8 square feet.
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American Prairie habitat supported: 48,127.5 square feet.
You have supported: (11,587.9)
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Rainforest habitat supported: 2,099,851.0 square feet.
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1 Aktbird57 .. 1379 51.599 acres