Considering that one of the most well known Mardi Gras traditions is women flashing their boobs for a strand of beads, it is hard to believe that the holiday celebration sprung from the Catholic church. Mardi Gras, also known as “Fat Tuesday” or “Shrove Tuesday,” is a pre-Lenten festival that was originally celebrated by the Roman Catholic church. However, today Christians and other people who love to eat, drink and party also celebrate. Lent is a forty day (amount of days vary depending on type of Christian faith) fasting period where Catholics and other Christians fast and practice penance. They do this in preparation for the celebration of Jesus’ victory over sin and death. Mardi Gras is the last day and last opportunity to feast, drink and celebrate before the forty days of fasting.
Today, Mardi Gras has become more than just one day of feasting, drinking and celebrating. It has become a season of celebration that some practice from Epiphany (January 6) to Ash Wednesday. Most commonly today though, people make it a four day celebration starting the Saturday before Ash Wednesday. The most famous cities for their elaborate Mardi Gras celebrations include Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, New Orleans in the United States, Quebec City in Canada and Mazatlan in Mexico.
Jambalaya, Muffuletta, Gumbo, Feijoada, Churrasco de Fraldinha, King Cake, Paczki and Papaya are just a tiny handful of foods traditionally served to celebrate Mardi Gras. Foods served are usually based on a person’s heritage or where the person is celebrating. Cajun foods are common at celebrations in the southern part of the United States, Churrasco is big in Brazil, Paczkis are well known in Polish communities and potato pancakes with the Irish. Wherever the celebrations occur, you are sure to see a lot of meats and sweets at the feasts.
Some say the colors of Mardi Gras are gold, green and purple, but Mardi Gras is actually the most colorful holiday of the year. The parades and carnivals that take place are known for their elaborate floats, outfits and headdresses. Everyone who celebrates is encouraged to dress in their finest and most colorful apparel. Masks are also common at Mardi Gras celebrations. People started wearing masks at Mardi Gras celebrations to disguise themselves from other people as they played out their final days of fun before the penitence of Lent.
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