{"id":864,"date":"2013-02-11T18:51:22","date_gmt":"2013-02-11T18:51:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mikemalonedds.com\/blog1\/?p=864"},"modified":"2019-08-27T20:14:23","modified_gmt":"2019-08-27T20:14:23","slug":"mardis-gras-traditions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.camelliadds.com\/blog1\/mardis-gras-traditions\/","title":{"rendered":"Gearing up for the Gras!"},"content":{"rendered":"

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One of the most popular Mardis Gras parades is put on by the Krewe of Rex, founded in 1872.<\/p>\n

It has been said that a Scotchman has not seen the world until he has seen Edinburgh; and I think that I must say that an American has not seen the United States until he has seen\u00a0Mardis-Gras\u00a0in New Orleans.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 —Mark Twain<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Most of us already know that Mardis Gras means \u2018Fat Tuesday.\u2019\u00a0 It is the culmination of the Carnival season that lasts for weeks\u2014from January 6th<\/sup> until Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.\u00a0 Mardis Gras<\/a> is a European celebration that dates back to the Middle Ages but today, Louisiana\u00a0Mardis Gras is steeped in our own traditions we formed right here in the U.S.A.<\/p>\n

The Krewes\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Before the first \u2018Krewe\u2019 (private social club with restrictive membership) was formed in 1857, the Mardis Gras parade was no more than a simple foot and horseback affair.\u00a0 Nowadays, these clubs (which are completely funded by their members) use their money to finance the thematic parades.\u00a0 The establishment of Krewes back in the mid 1800’s led to the introduction of lavish and laboriously designed floats that we see today.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mardis Gras Indians\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Another cherished tradition is that of two Mardis Gras Indian tribes<\/a> \u2018battling\u2019 on a street corner.\u00a0 There are more than 50 Mardis Gras Indian tribes living in New Orleans, and they spend all year creating their costumes and practicing theatrics for when they encounter another tribe during Mardis Gras, during which ritualized dancing, singing, and chanting ensues.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Flambeaux Tradition<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Flambeaux<\/a> or torch-carrier tradition dates back to the 1800s when slaves or free African-Americans would carry gaslight torches during the night festivities.\u00a0 The purpose of them at first was to light the way for parade-goers and floats when the streets were not well lit.\u00a0 Today, the flame carriers have become a tradition that involves more than just carrying a torch\u2014these talented revelers spin, twirl, throw and dip the torches all while keeping them lit.<\/p>\n

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King Cakes\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

These can be found all over New Orleans during Carnival season.\u00a0 The tradition of the cake is as old as the holiday itself.\u00a0 It dates back to the Middle Ages when, during Christmastime, the Three Wise Men were celebrated as much as the birth of Jesus Christ.\u00a0 In some cultures, the Twelfth Night after the birth of Christ is the end of Christmas and the Epiphany.\u00a0 In many cultures still today, it is a time for pageants and giving gifts\u2014one being the king\u2019s cake<\/a>.\u00a0 It is a Danish braided pastry sprinkled with spiced cinnamon and gold, purple, and green sprinkles.\u00a0 Inside the cake, a tiny plastic baby is hidden; whoever finds it (or eats it accidentally) is required by tradition to buy the next cake.<\/p>\n

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Showing Skin for Mardis Gras Beads\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

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This tradition formed in the 1970s when Mardis Gras started earning its reputation as a rowdy event filled with tourists and other drunken fools taking over the French Quarter.\u00a0 Even when a ban was put forth to prevent the Kewe parades from going down the streets, people flooded to this area (especially Bourbon Street) where the tradition of showing skin to earn beads began.\u00a0 You can imagine what it means to see a woman walking about in layers and layers of beads. \u00a0Most locals dislike this tradition and the chaos it brings to the city and will avoid the French Quarter this particular week.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

New Orleans and Louisiana in general have such a historically rich culture with so many diverse traditions, it’s hard to compare it to any other place in America. Are we missing any key points? Do you have any traditions you carry out that are particular to your area? Let us know in the comments!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Dr. Mike Malone<\/a>\u00a0and his\u00a0team<\/a>\u00a0practice expert cosmetic dentistry in Lafayette, LA. Dr. Malone is the former president and current accredited member of the\u00a0American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry<\/a>. He\u00a0is also the official Cosmetic Dentist of the Miss Louisiana USA and Miss Louisiana Teen USA pageants. Check out his\u00a0website<\/a>\u00a0for more information.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  One of the most popular Mardis Gras parades is put on by the Krewe of Rex, founded in 1872. 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