Mardi Gras: Pancakes, Parades, and Peculiar Traditions

This is an Anglais Compréhension écrite article and an Anglais Audio article.

Mon article sur : Festivals of light : Candelmas, la Chandeleur peut aussi vous intéressez …

Au lycée, cet article sera utile pour :

Anglais 2nd thème 8 : Le passé dans le présent

Anglais 1ère thème 5 : Fictions et réalités

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Bonne écoute 🙂

Introduction:

Mardi Gras is also known as Fat Tuesday. It is a lively and exuberant celebration with deep roots in history and a tapestry woven with colourful customs. This festive carnival has evolved over centuries, blending various cultural influences into a dazzling display of music, dance, and vibrant costumes.

History:

The origins of Mardi Gras can be traced back to ancient pagan celebrations and medieval European traditions. The Roman festivals of Saturnalia and Lupercalia marked the end of winter and the arrival of spring. During these early celebrations, people engaged in feasts and festivities before the solemn Christian season of Lent. When Christianity spread, these pre-Lenten celebrations were incorporated into the Christian calendar, giving birth to the Mardi Gras we know today.

Mardi Gras in the United States has its origins in 1699 when French explorers, led by Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville, landed near present-day New Orleans. The French brought the tradition of lavish masked balls and feasts, and over time, Mardi Gras in Louisiana evolved with the influences of African, Spanish, and Native American cultures.

Customs:

Pancake Day:

Mardi Gras is often a time when people enjoy lots of special treats. Interestingly, pancakes are a big part of this day in the United Kingdom. There, Mardi Gras is called Shrove Tuesday. The word “shrove” comes from an old term “shrive”, which means to admit to what you’ve done wrong and be forgiven. People eat pancakes on this day as a way to use up foods like eggs and milk before Lent starts. This is because Lent is a time when people eat less of certain things.

Parades and Floats:

Mardi Gras is synonymous with elaborate parades featuring dazzling floats, marching bands, and costumed revellers. The first recorded Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans took place in 1837. Since then, the parades have grown in scale and extravagance. Krewes, the social organizations that host the parades, meticulously plan their floats, often with a theme that can range from mythical creatures to historical events.

face painting and the tradition of “throws” for mardi gras

face painting and the tradition of “throws” for mardi gras

Beads, Doubloons, and Throws:

One of the most recognizable Mardi Gras customs is the tradition of “throws.” Revellers on parade floats toss beads, doubloons (coin-like tokens), and various trinkets to the eager crowd. The act of catching these throws is considered a symbol of good luck and adds an element of excitement to the celebration.

King Cakes:

One of the sweetest traditions of Mardi Gras in the USA, is the King Cake. This circular pastry, adorned with colourful icing and sprinkles, hides a tiny plastic baby – representing Jesus – inside. Whoever discovers the baby is believed to have good luck and must host the next Mardi Gras party. This delicious treat symbolizes the search for the baby Jesus by the three kings.

The colored sugars are gold, green and purple, which are the traditional colors of Mardi Gras. Gold represents power, green stands for faith, and purple is justice.

https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/king_cake/

Masks and Costumes:

Mardi Gras is a time for revellers to don elaborate masks and costumes, allowing them to escape from everyday life and embrace a sense of anonymity. The tradition of wearing masks can be traced back to the medieval European carnivals and has become an integral part of the celebration, allowing participants to immerse themselves fully in the festive spirit.

In conclusion:

Mardi Gras, with its rich history and eclectic customs, continues to captivate and unite people worldwide. From the quirky traditions like pancake indulgence to the lively parades and unique throws, Mardi Gras remains a testament to the enduring spirit of celebration, diversity, and the joyous coming together of communities.

Rooted in history and adorned with unique customs, Mardi Gras has become a cultural phenomenon that transcends borders and brings communities together in joyous celebration.

D’autres articles seront publiés sur ce sujet. Je publierai deux autres articles : l’un sur la Compréhension orale, l’autre sur la Compréhension écrite.

Bye for now … See you soon 😉