Last night in Lake Charles, LA, krewes (not crews) kicked off the Mardi Gras season with an early Twelfth Night celebration. Traditionally, Twelfth Night is celebrated twelve days after Christmas, but it's on a Sunday this year, so southern Louisianians bumped up the celebration so as not to interfere with church services. I enjoy going to local parades, especially with my daughter, who loves catching beads, cups, dubloons, etc. I grew up in Oberlin, LA, where they still celebrate Mardi Gras similar to its ancient roots of having a chicken run. Folks don't dress up fancy to be seen, but to hide their identity. They usually ride horses or on trailers, travel through the countryside and ask folks if they have anything to donate to a gumbo. If the people oblige, the Mardi Gras runners, under the guidance of a captain, dance and pretty much act silly to thank the person for their donations, be it rice, a chicken, or anything else. In the evening, the runners come into town and make a huge gumbo for the whole community.
When I was growing up in Oberlin, I wasn't allowed to celebrate Mardi Gras because I was told it was a Catholic holiday and it was wrong. After growing up a bit, I started celebrating Mardi Gras with my friends in college and found that it was quite enjoyable. Sure, it wasn't the traditional gumbo runs that I heard the other kids in school talk about, but it was and is my Mardi Gras. I fully took in the beads, the music, the food and the celebration that is Fat Tuesday. It has become one of my favorite holidays. The best part of the Mardi Gras season, in my opinion, is the King Cake. It is quite possibly the best dessert your mouth will ever taste. It's usually a big cinammon roll-type cake that contains a baby or a bean inside. The person who finds the baby (which represents the infant Jesus) usually wins a prize and/or has to pay for the cake the next year. It's a wonderful tradition. Some versions of the King Cake include a filling which ranges from strawberry to Bavarian cream to chocolate. I personally like the Bavarian cream treat.
Since becoming Catholic, I understand more fully the true meaning of Mardi Gras. It isn't supposed to be the last big sinful hurrah before Lent, but a day to put to an end celebrations in order to prepare for Easter and the celebration of our salvation through Jesus Christ's sacrifice for us. It is a wonderful holiday and if you're ever passing through southern Louisiana during the Mardi Gras season, take in a parade, eat some King Cake, and hang a bead or two off of your rearview mirror.
Until next time loyal readers...
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