The city of New Orleans really didn’t need any extra incentive to promote their annual headfirst dive in debauchery, excessive indulgence, and careless carousing in the French Quarter that we’ve come to know as Mardi Gras.
But then the “Who Dat? Nation” — fans of the NFL’s New Orleans Saints — are still celebrating the first Super Bowl victory in the city’s history, so New Orleanians have been completely immersed in a blissful orgy of carnivals, lewd behavior, mock ceremonials, spectacular parades, mass dancing, street parties and, well, actual orgies.
But for all the talk around this time of year about Mardi Gras, many people aren’t aware of the deeply religious connotations of Mardi Gras and the period of Lent.
Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday.” Fat Tuesday is a day of unbridled partying and celebrations and parades and always falls on the day before Ash Wednesday, which begins the period known as Lent. Ash Wednesday is also called “Shrove Tuesday,” referring to the final night of eating richer fatty foods and conspicuous consumption before Lent. Lent is the 46-day period (or 40 if you don’t count Sundays) between Ash Wednesday and Easter, when the devout begin a period of fasting, confessionals and personal sacrifices. According to historians, some version of Mardi Gras — or the practice of a daylong exercise in excess followed by a prolonged period of fasting — dates back to the Middle Ages.
So, technically speaking, Mardi Gras is supposed to last a grand total of … one day. But c’mon. That’s not how it goes down in cities like Rio de Janeiro or Quebec City. One day is simply not going to get it done. In Nawlins, the city actually grinds to a complete and utter halt as an explosion of festivities and parties begin as early as two weeks prior to Ash Wednesday. This includes innovative floats, body painting, bead throwing, musicals, eating fatty foods and consuming impossible quantities of alcoholic beverages that lead up to the ultimate party, Mardi Gras.
When midnight strikes on the evening after Mardi Gras, ushering in the beginning of the Season of Lent, all parties, debauchery and excessive consumption are supposed to stop. Yeah, right.
If you’ve ever been to New Orleans, then you know that might not be the case. But at least now you know what Mardi Gras is. –terry shropshire
