Confession 3 - Mardi Gras

The entire deep South (emphasis on deep) seems completely fascinated by the Mardi Gras season. Don't get me wrong, I am all for it! I absolutely love nothing more than a big slice of King Cake. I was also intrigued by the Christian background of the holiday. The baby in the kind cake is symbolic of baby Jesus, our king (hence the name King Cake).  Last year, I attended my first Mardi Gras parade in Mobile, Alabama. This year, not only was I in the Hattiesburg parade, but I will also enjoy the madness first hand in New Orleans.

I have began wondering if and how other parts of the world celebrate Mardi Gras, also known as Carnival Season. Sometimes, it seems that the holiday is isolated in the Louisiana/Mississippi/Alabama area. I have learned, after research, that Mardi Gras began centuries ago as spring fertility rituals. In the later years, it became a Roman Catholic holiday before Lent. Brazil and Venice are among the list of famous Mardi Gras celebration sites.

The first American Mardi Gras was in Louisiana, which confirms the claims I have been told. Mardi Gras was even banned in New Orleans after the Spanish took control of the French settlement. It was once again celebrated when Louisiana was purchased by the United States. Mardi Gras is only legally a holiday in Louisiana. What a surprise since several schools and universities in Mississippi and Alabama release school to celebrate.

http://www.history.com/topics/mardi-gras

Venice, Italy is a well known Carnival Season attraction. The term Mardi Gras means the time before fasting. Carnival refers to the period of celebrations, a time of "letting go". In Venice, a lot of emphasis is put on masks. In 1608, a law was put in place which made it illegal to wear masks unless it was Mardi Gras.http://www.italyguides.it/us/venice_italy/venice_carnival/venice_carnival.htm

In true spirit of the season, I will gladly shout, "Throw me some beads, mister"this Mardi Gras.