Want to make creations as awesome as this one?

Worksheet à compléter.

Transcript

Mardi Gras
in New Orleans

"Mardi Gras" (which is the French for "Fat Tuesday") is always 47 days before Easter.


• This year, Mardi Gras takes place on Tuesday, 21st February.


Origins

Traditions

Food

The origins of Mardi Gras can be traced to medieval Europe, passing through Rome and Venice in the 17th and 18th centuries to the French House of the Bourbons.

The first American Mardi Gras was celebrated in 1703 in Fort Louis. It was just a small celebration. Later, the first Mardi Gras parade was organized in 1857.

Origins

Traditions

Colors

In 1872, Rex, the king of Carnival, decided that the official colors of Mardi Gras would be purple, green and gold.
Purple represents justice, green stands for faith, and gold signifies power.

Traditions

Carnival Krewes

The term “Krewes” refers to carnival clubs that participate in the parade.

Krewe of Zulu

Krewe of Nyx

Traditions

Throws

"Throws" are items that krewe members on floats throw to spectators. Throws often include beads, cups, toys and more!
There are also decorated Zulu coconuts, the “signature throws” of the Zulu krewe. They are the most prized throws of Mardi Gras.

beads / beaded necklaces

cups

Zulu coconuts

Food

The king cake tradition is believed to have been brought over from France in the 1870s.

The cake is oval and it is covered with delicious sugar toppings in the traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold and there is a plastic baby hidden inside. The person who finds the baby buys the next cake for the group.