What About Mardi Gras?
Judy Ramsook
September 04, 2005
The devastation caused by hurricane Katrina has been overwhelming. People in Mississippi, parts of Alabama, and the people of city of New Orleans have lost loved ones, homes, their sense of complacencey, historical buildings and even Tulane University has cancelled classes for the rest of the fall semester, but one thing that has not been mentioned enough, if at all, is one of New Orleans’ famous celebrations, Mardi Gras.
Now it’s natural for it not to be mentioned in the various news programmes, because of all the uncertainty that now abounds in the city of New Orleans. And as one wonders about whether or not that city will ever be the same again, one might also ponder about that annual event that has brought an abundance of tourists not only to the city of New Orleans but to the state of Louisiana as well. Will that festive occasion be moved to possibly another city in Louisiana or will it not be celebrated at all until the city of New Orleans has been rebuilt?
Mardi Gras, which is still a few months away, might or might not be celebrated in 2006 as victims, survivors and evacuees are still coming to grips with what has occurred to them, but one can still find some interesting facts as to how the celebration of that event came about in the first place.
After the Mississippi River had been founded in 1699, the new settlers rested at a place they called Point d’Mardi Gras. Soon after, a party erupted, a festive event that is commonly labeled as North America’s first Mardi Gras. Twenty years after this, when the city of New Orleans was founded by Bienville, festive celebrations took place once again and on an annual basis.
The occasion, marked by extravagant parties and masked spectacles, first began as small, private celebrations with others taking on more public scenarios. And although parades didn’t officially begin until 1838, every year, people would come out to enjoy and partake in the festivities.
And if and when Mardi Gras is ever celebrated again in the city of New Orleans, it might be one that’s going to be filled with much celebration as a city so devastated by an act of Mother Nature will someday rise up again, as if to say, ‘I am back.’ This is not a time to dwell on racial issues, this is a time for those who are in a fortunate enough position to reach out and assist his fellow man. Unite and stand together, for only you can stop the division among people and classes.
Source: www.mardigras.com
Now it’s natural for it not to be mentioned in the various news programmes, because of all the uncertainty that now abounds in the city of New Orleans. And as one wonders about whether or not that city will ever be the same again, one might also ponder about that annual event that has brought an abundance of tourists not only to the city of New Orleans but to the state of Louisiana as well. Will that festive occasion be moved to possibly another city in Louisiana or will it not be celebrated at all until the city of New Orleans has been rebuilt?
Mardi Gras, which is still a few months away, might or might not be celebrated in 2006 as victims, survivors and evacuees are still coming to grips with what has occurred to them, but one can still find some interesting facts as to how the celebration of that event came about in the first place.
After the Mississippi River had been founded in 1699, the new settlers rested at a place they called Point d’Mardi Gras. Soon after, a party erupted, a festive event that is commonly labeled as North America’s first Mardi Gras. Twenty years after this, when the city of New Orleans was founded by Bienville, festive celebrations took place once again and on an annual basis.
The occasion, marked by extravagant parties and masked spectacles, first began as small, private celebrations with others taking on more public scenarios. And although parades didn’t officially begin until 1838, every year, people would come out to enjoy and partake in the festivities.
And if and when Mardi Gras is ever celebrated again in the city of New Orleans, it might be one that’s going to be filled with much celebration as a city so devastated by an act of Mother Nature will someday rise up again, as if to say, ‘I am back.’ This is not a time to dwell on racial issues, this is a time for those who are in a fortunate enough position to reach out and assist his fellow man. Unite and stand together, for only you can stop the division among people and classes.
Source: www.mardigras.com
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