Mardi-Gras in New Iberia

 Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras ,"Fat Tuesday", is a custom that originated long ago in Southern Europe. It is celebrated just before the forty days of Lent. Mardi Gras is celebrated on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. It was setup principally to entertain the Grand Duke, Alexis Romanoff of Russia. Through time and evolution this simple French custom was turned into an extravagant party - going holiday.

Mardi-Gras, est une coutume qui naquit il y a longtemps au sud de l'Europe. On le célèbre juste avant les quarante jours du Carême. Mardi-Gras est fêté le mardi avant le Mercredi des Cendres. Il fut surtout institué pour divertir le Grand Duc, Alexis Romanoff de Russie. Avec le temps et l'évolution cette simple coutume française fut transformée en une grande fête extravagante.

Here in New Iberia, we celebrate Mardi Gras in many different ways. We have extraordinary parades and 24 hour parties sponsored by various krewes(groups). New Iberia is also famous for the exclusive Mardi Gras Balls. In addition, we have costume judging contests, Fais-do-dos, Le courir de Mardi Gras(running of the Mardi Gras), Zydeco dances,and communal Boucheries (hog butcherings). Here in Acadiana, maskers ride on horseback going from house to house begging and collecting things for a chicken gumbo. They also stroll through the streets playing tricks on neighbors. Mardi Gras is very old, but it is very young.

Ici, à la Nouvelle-Ibérie, on célèbre Mardi-Gras de plusieurs façons. Il y a des défilés extraordinaires et des fêtes qui durent 24 heures, parrainées par diverses sociétés. La Nouvelle-Ibérie est aussi renommée pour ses bals typiques de Mardi-Gras. En plus de cela il y a des concours de déguisements, des fais-do-dos, le courir de Mardi-Gras, des danses zaricos et des boucheries communales (des cochonnailles). Ici en Acadiana, des masques vont à cheval de maison en maison pour mendier et récolter des affaires pour un gombo au poulet. Ils se baladent aussi dans les rues en jouant des tours aux voisins. Mardi-Gras est très vieux, mais il est aussi très jeune.

New Iberia is famous for many things, but one of those things is the beautiful and delicious King Cake. In New Iberia, the King Cake is prepared and eaten during the Epiphany season. The King Cake is believed to have originated in France around the 12th century. The main theme in baking the King Cake is to honor the three kings. It is made in the pattern of a circle to portray the circular route used by the Wisemen to get to the Baby Jesus. In the early King Cakes, a bean or pea was placed inside the cake. The person who found the piece was King for the day, or was said to have good luck in the following year. Now, in New Iberia, we have small plastic babies in the King Cake. Whoever gets the baby has to hold the next King Cake party or provide the next King Cake. Are you hungry for some King Cake? The customs have changed slightly, but we still celebrate the theme, "Party today for tomorrow we fast."

				 
Dates for future Mardi Gras
2001-February 27  2005-February 08  2009-February 24  2013-February 12
2002-February 12  2006-February 28  2010-February 16  2014-March    04
2003-March    04  2007-February 20  2011-March    08  2015-February 17 
2004-February 24  2008-February 05  2012-February 21  2016-February 09