Mardi Gras

Paper Summary:

This paper explains the origins of Mardi Gras. It looks at the original customs and how the traditions have evolved over time. It also discusses how the media have recently portrayed this festival in a bad light because of the drunken crowds, but that the real traditions of the festival do not support this behavior.

From the Paper:

"Mardi Gras or "Fat Tuesday" had roots in the Middle Ages and was later reformed when the Catholic Church adopted the event. The Europeans of the Middle Ages celebrates Mardi Gras as a festivity before the commemoration of Jesus' death. A "carnival" is traditionally related to a Mardi Gras celebration. "Carnival" which means "without flesh or meat" is being celebrated in relation to the religious event of the Lent. After years of Mardi Gras celebration, the Catholic Church decided to adopt the event as it relates to religious beliefs. The celebration was eventually passed down to other countries especially during those times when the Europeans were able to conquer some lands. One example of a country that was influenced by the Mardi Gras celebration was America. Because of the French conquerors, whose countries traditionally celebrate the Mardi Gras, the tradition of the event was handed down to the Americans."

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