There was a small thread below about Mardi Gras. I thought I'd share some insight on this subject.
Anyone who knows me, knows that , although I'm not all that old ( 47, I don't mind telling ), I hold very dear in my heart, the old ways, the heritage and traditions of my ancestors. You see, I spent a lot of time when I was young, on an old farm place in Pecaniere, La. I saw the cracklings and boudain made every winter. I saw my old grandfather ( Pa Pa )catch and butcher a chicken for the gumbo supper. I know some of the old ways and I know that every day, we loose more of them.
It occurs to me that many people don't know what Mardi Gras is really all about. With out getting into a religious discussion, I'll start by saying that it is a Cajun Catholic tradition. Mardi Gras means " Fat Tuesday" which is the day before Ash Wedensday, which is the first day of Lent, the 40 days before the death of Jesus. Lent, for Catholics, is a time of reverance and respect . Much like a wake or funeral.
In the old days, Cajuns, for the most part, were poor. The few enjoyments in life came in the form of music, dancing, gathering, and maybe a little drink.
"Fat Tuesday", or Mardi Gras , was the last day the the Cajuns could "have fun" before Lent started.
In the old days, they had a Cuire De Mardi Gras where masked riders would ride through the countryside, begging for the makings of the gumbo ( rice, sausage, chicken, flour and oil for the roux ) . These were poor farmers who didn't have much, so they might only get a hand full of rice from one household, a cup of flour from another. The chicken would come from the farm that could spare one. It was the tradition , that once permission was given for the riders to come on to the property, and permission to take a chicken, the riders would have to catch the chicken themselves. Once they had all the ingredients, they would be brought to a central location and the meal would be prepaired. Then the whole comunity would come together to enjoy one last "Bon Temps" before Lent started the next day.
So there it is, in a short version.
For those who didn't know, there is a reason for all of this, and there is a much deeper meaning to it all.
Happy Mardi Gras to all.
Jude

Go to the listed website and there is a list of all the Courir in rural acadiana. Lots of photos.
JB

There are some Mardi Gras parades out in the country.
We have one in Pecaniere, probably more people IN the parade than WATCHING. Lots of horse riders and "chicken runs" for the kids. After the parade ends, everyone gathers at the corner hall ( used to be "The Happy Landing" dance hall ) for a free gumbo.
Jude

Thanks Jude, you are so right that many things are being let go, and others are losing sight of itself. Mardi Gras seems to have become more of a circus in some areas. Folks need to be shook a little and reminded that a pretty cool culture is slowly disappearing.

Thank you for posting this message. I try to explain to people what the Mardi Gras is all about but nobody seems to understand. It also bothers me that most people think that Mardi Gras only occurs in New Orleans, like that's the only city in Louisiana.

I would like to add here, that, although there is plenty of drinking/drunkeness associated with Mardi Gras, and Mardi Gras wouldn't be the same without it, the meaning of Mardi Gras goes a lot deeper than the drinking and partying. It is the concept of gathering engredients for a feast, having fun doing it, and more importantly, the sharing of the bounty with friends, relatives and neighbors. That is something that New Orleans, and a few of the other big celebrations, have lost touch with.

Dowell Lafleur

For those of you who haven't checked out our Maison-t-Bayou website page (#1 active website link above) there are two slideshows with music of the Eunice Courir. The first slideshow (2003) is my favorite. The second one is from 2005. There's also a slideshow of us crawfishing the OLD way ~ walking a shallow boat through a pond ~ which was full of snakes! Darryl who posts on this forum and his wife Jan are also in the crawfishing slideshow.

Forgot to mention that after you get to the first and then second pages, click on "EUNICE" to see the listing for these slideshows. Unfortunately, I don't believe people using Macs can view them.

Now that brings back some good childhood memories. Kids and crawfish nets were made for each other. Never mind the snakes, watch out for big loggerheads.

Thanks Jude for your information on Cajun Mardi Gras. I hope to be able to get to one some day. It is very interesting. I have seen the one in New Orleans many many years ago. Guys were carrying post with candles on them to light the way in parades. I've seen Fasching in Germany. My Irish wife has taught me the meaning of Pancake Tuesday. I really like your posting and look to coming to a real Cajun Mardi Gras.

Speaking of snapping turtles, mu Granma always said that if one snapped on to you, it wouldn't let go until it heard thunder. Fortunately that happens alot in East Texas and Louisiana, so you wouldn't have long to wait.

I figure if he already got a hold of me I would get him home and in the pot before thunder made me have a sore finger for nothing. Some of those things get over a hundred pounds, that may take a few things off.

Yeah, don't let too many things like fingers, toes and such dangle in front of one of those big boys. Some of the biggest ones I ever saw were in the San Marcos river right here in central Texas. Bigger around than a trash-can lid. Didn't know they were edible though. Always thought soft-shells were what was normally consumed by those folks who considered turtle a culinary delight. Think I'll stick with catfish.
JB

I'll step over catfish to get to turtle meat. Bit of a pain to clean, but its really good. Actually some fried catfish filets go nicely with turtle sauce piquant. Strange critters though, you can cut the head off and it will still be moving hours later.

A couple'a things here about that Mardi Gras business.

First: I got an email with an attachment on it from Kirk Menier here a while back. Sent me his version of the Mardi Gras song... done up with accordion, guitar and percussion... it was well done to be sure!
Mardi Gras song is a hauntingly sounding song (to me)and old timey, always enjoyed it. It envites feeling when ya play it, and I sure enjoyed Kirks rendition.

Second: In my opinion (just my opinion mind ya) You can have N.O. and the Mardi Gras celebration that occurs there! Most that flock to N.O. have no clue and it is media inspired shannigans that would get you arrested any other time, or any other place on the planet.... So I say to ole Ray N.... you got it bro. it's yours.. let em guzzle it up, pitch those gypsy junk beads and take it off right down to the skivies if you have a mind, hope ya get the creepy crud as a result! So anyhow, Thanks Jude for spelling out the real substance and meaning, it is important. It is a wide spread celebration more than N.O. and that's for sure.
Linda and I enjoyed the D'Iberville Mardi Gras located in Ms. when we lived there long ago.

I used to hear there were seven kinds of meat on a turtle. I grew up in Houma. Not sure I had much turtle when I lived down there. Maybe in a gumbo once.

I did have some racoon. Now that's something to leave home about, and now write back.

I'd be interested in hearing the deeper meaning. Perhaps would shed some light on how "Chanson de Mardi Gras" is a religious song and should not be played at any other time of the year.

Dwight

Great post Jude. I never really understood Mardi Gras in New Orleans or Lafayette. If anyone wants to see a real Mardi Gras run, come to Basile. I have been on their "run" every year since I was 14.(I'm 40 now)We have our own song we sing as we beg. It can be downloaded at www.lsue.edu/acadgate/basimard.htm
along with pictures from the last several years.