1. Le MARDI GRAS CAJUN

2. Carnaval comes from Latin “carne levare” which means “without meat” referring to the abstinence of meat during Lent. Lent is the period of 40 days (without counting «dimanches ») before Easter. During that time, people fast (which means they eat less) and give up something they like or they like to do. Lent starts on Ash Wednesday, le Mercredi des Cendres (the day after Mardi Gras) and ends on Easter Sunday.

3. Mardi Gras signifie en français “Fat Tuesday”. The name comes from the ancient custom of parading a fat ox through Paris on this day. The ox was to remind the people that they were not allowed to eat meat during Lent. Mardi Gras est toujours un mardi but the date depends on when Easter falls.

4. Dans les campagnes du sud de la Louisiane à Mamou, Eunice, Iota, Ville Plate, Church Point…, on célèbre le «Courir du Mardi Gras»!

5. Masked men wear patchwork costumes, capes, and peaked hats. They ride horses and stop at farmhouses to sing, dance, and beg for ingredients to make the gumbo.

6. Les Mardis Gras…

7. « Capitaine, capitaine, voyage ton flag… » Le capitaine a un drapeau blanc. Il demande permission pour les Mardis Gras d’approcher la maison.

8. « Un poulet pour le gumbo, s’il vous plait! »