Mardi Gras celebrations all over the United States have begun and will continue through Fat Tuesday. Historically, this event reflects the last night of consuming fatty foods in preparation for the Christian fasting season of Lent. More recently, Mardi Gras celebrations have evolved to include elaborate costumes, Cajun food, festive dance and music, and lavish parades. Using MeL eResources from the Michigan eLibrary (MeL), learn more about the traditions that surround this celebratory season.

History

While New Orleans might have the most well-known, modern-day celebration, it was not the first. That distinction goes to Mobile, Alabama. Opening the Related tab in Britannica High’s Mardi Gras page, users are given a curated list of Web’s Best Sites, including a link to Mobile’s “Mardi Gras” entry in the Encyclopedia of Alabama and Mardi Gras New Orlean’s “Mardi Gras History.”

Rural festivities in southwestern Louisiana tend to be more unique than others. In FOCUS on Geography from Education Source, Photojournal: The Cajun Mardi Gras offers not only several historic photos, but also explains the purpose behind courir de Mardi Gras (runs), which are kept secret until the day of the event and mostly excluded to outsiders. Mardi Gras Magic and Let the Good Times Roll, both from Louisiana Life in MasterFILE Complete, give a clear picture of building the floats and where to find parties.

From the eBook K-8 Collection, young readers can learn about the role of krewes; the Organization of Rex; the symbolism of the purple, green, and gold throws; and various cultural dances through the titles, Mardi Gras by Julie Murray and Mardi Gras and Carnival by Molly Aloian.

Food

For recipe ideas in these last few days before Lent, explore Mardi Gras Fixin’s (Louisiana Life) to find suggestions for Crawfish Shells, Louisiana Guacamole, Dirty Rice, and a delicious Bloody Mary with pickled okra spears. Food & Wine, a publication in MAS Complete, offers a step-by-step process (with pictures) for making the perfect King Cake, New Orleans-Style Barbecue Shrimp, and Crawfish Fettuccine in Feasting Season.

Information about the celebrations, food and history is plentiful in MeL, but there are also resources that remind us not every story is a happy one. The article, With Spotlight on New Orleans, Louisiana Moves Homeless Out of Sight, published last month in the New York Times from Gale in Context: Opposing Viewpoints, offers yet another perspective of Mardi Gras season.

If you have any MeL eResources questions or issues, contact [email protected] for help.