Carnival Season…
January 6, 2007 | 11:13 PM
Carnival, as we are apparently calling it here in New Orleans, began today. How appropriate then, that I saw the exhibit at the New Orleans Museum of Art last night. The parades don’t really get going until February though.
As a native (relatively speaking) of Mobile, however, I do find it necessary to say that the Mardi Gras celebration in America began there. According to Wikipedia, “Mobile, Alabama has the longest tradition of observing Mardi Gras in North America, with the Celebration of Mardi Gras in Mobile dating back to 1703, and detailed by the Mardi Gras Museum in downtown Mobile. It is said to have originated in Mobile.”
I had to say it. Anyway, if you’ve never experienced Mardi Gras or Carnival, you can soak in a little bit from these photos, which do it no justice. I do offer this disclaimer: it’s not nearly as bad in New Orleans as its reputation. I mean sure, if you go to Bourbon Street, it’s not going to be family-oriented. But there are plenty of places to go with the family without worrying at all. The same goes for Mobile and most of the places I went on the Mississippi Gulf Coast growing up. So relax, come on down, and enjoy the fun. Just try not to focus on its meaning.
Posted in Life, Media, Mobile Alabama, New Orleans
joe kennedy, 2008
Wow, so early in the year. I thought Mardi Gras didn’t happen till February something… why are they calling it Carnival now, when Mardi Gras has such a great draw by reputation?
Btw, if my questions make no sense, just ignore me…. It’s my first day back at work since the holidays and being sick, and I’m not quite awake yet…
January 8th, 2007 at 9:20 AM
ryc: yep, got the Job comment. makes good sense. Job’s wife was a real piece of work, no?
January 8th, 2007 at 10:22 AM
Lu, it’s just that the rest of the world calls it Carnival. And apparently now folks have taken to calling Mardi Gras (which is actually just one day) “Mardi Gras Day” so that the other can the entire season. Or something like that. It’s just what I’ve heard this year. Not so much on TV, but by “locals.” Who knows.
But it’s all the same- Carnival, Mardi Gras.
January 8th, 2007 at 9:33 PM
Yes, Carnival Season is upon us. And what a festive time it is! Actully, I think you have to a real native to understand the totality of the whole gig. Mardi Gras actually means “Fat Tuesday” in French, which is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent.
January 10th, 2007 at 8:08 PM
Carnival is actually the proper name for the entire season, which begins at Epiphany (6 January). Mardi Gras (literally translated “Fat Tuesday”) is just one day, the eve of Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent. That’s why all celebration ends promptly at midnight on Fat Tuesday, because Lent is a penitential season of self-examination, self-reflection, and “mortification” of fleshly delights, thus not appropriate to celebration. Mobile, which gave birth to the celebration, always refers to the overall season as Carnival, which culminates on Mardi Gras.
January 17th, 2007 at 8:55 AM
Just to be clear, since I wasn’t.
I am fully aware that Mardi Gras refers only to Fat Tuesday. I am also aware that along the Gulf Coast from New Orleans to Mobile, Mardi Gras also refers to an entire season. I’ve only lived along the Coast my entire life. But thanks for the lessons.
It’s just funny that here in New Orleans, for the first time, I see “Carnival” in use among a certain crowd.
January 17th, 2007 at 11:52 AM