Mardi Gras History
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No one really knows where or when the custom of Mardi Gras began…and there are those who don’t much care either! Nevertheless, it’s been traced all the way back to the Romans, whose pagan orgies were held during the spring season. Today, Mardi Gras is celebrated around the world, but no one does it like New Orleans…the City that Care Forgot! New Orleans’ premiere party season is irresistibly fun and vibrant for those lucky enough to experience it. While Mardi Gras is full of history, it’s also more than a tad “sassy” and to fully understand it, it’s necessary to understand New Orleans…how it hums during the day and sings at night…all the way back as early as 1718!
The French in New Orleans were having private masked balls and what many would call “wild parties” in 1718, but when the Spanish government took over, parties and street dancing were banned. Oppression didn’t sit well in New Orleans, but it took the Americans to restore the right to party in 1827 as they finally ascended to power in the port city. During the 1850's, the city's elite and their elegant Mardi Gras parties were quite a contrast to the wild partying and near-rioting in the streets. It was soon clear that all celebrations were in danger of facing yet another ban.
In 1857, a group of men formed a secret society called the Mystick Krewe of Comus. They knew that Mardi Gras could be preserved with planning, organization, and management of the celebrations. Comus planned the first parade around a theme and used flambeaux (lighted candles) to light the procession. The Krewe of Rex was formed to entertain the visiting Grand Duke Alexis Romanoff of Russia…but since the Americans had no royalty to properly welcome the Grand Duke, the men in Rex created a King "for the day.” In this manner, the Grand Duke was royally received. They secretly anointed one of their own to be the King of Carnival and to this day, most parades keep their King's identity a secret until parade day.
Typical Mardi Gras organizations have historically formed what is known as a "krewe." The krewe names their parade after a particular mythological hero or Greek god and the ranking structure is often a parody of royalty: King, Queen, Dukes, Knights and Captains...or some variation on that theme. More established Krewes allow membership by invitation only and now, years after the first Mystic Krewe of Comus was formed…”mega-parade Krewes” now exist, complete with their own personalities, agendas and over-zealous members!
Still, few in the ghetto felt they could ever participate in the typical New Orleans parade. Historically, slavery and racism were at the root of this cultural separation. Nevertheless, the black neighborhoods in New Orleans gradually developed their own style of celebrating Mardi Gras and their own"Krewes" named for imaginary Indian tribes according to the streets of their ward or gang. The MARDI GRAS INDIANS named themselves after native Indians to pay them respect for their assistance in escaping the tyranny of slavery. In turn, local Indians would accept runaway slaves into their society when they made a break for freedom. This support has never been forgotten!
Unfortunately, Mardi Gras was often used to settle scores and for many Mardi Gras Indians…it was a violent day! The police were usually unable to intervene due to the general confusion surrounding the Mardi Gras events in the city, where the streets were crowded and most everyone was masked. This violence kept many families away from the "parade," and created a great deal of worry and concern for a mother whose child wanted to join the "Indians." Today when two Mardi Gras Indian tribes pass one another, you will see a living theater of art and culture. Though each tribe's style and dress is on display...the manner is now friendly and competitive. Instead of the violence of old, they now simply compare one another's art, detail and craftsmanship.
The greeting of the Big Chiefs of two different tribes often starts with a song, chant, ceremonial dance, and a threatening challenge to "Humba." Both chiefs bow and pay the other respect. The retort is a whoop and equally impressive song and war dance with the reply, "Me no Humba, YOU Humba!" No longer a day to "settle scores,” violence has become a thing of the past. It is now Mardi Gras tradition and practice to simply compare tribal song, dance and dress with other tribes as they meet throughout the day. Each Indian has invested thousands of hours and dollars in the creation of his suit, and is not willing to risk ruining it in a fight. This tradition, rich with folk art and history, is now appreciated by historical societies around the world. It is a remarkable and welcome change from the past.
BACCHUS is the most innovative and imitated krewe this century. Bacchus was formed in 1968 and designed to put spark back into a celebration deemed “faded” by many. The krewe's large signature floats, Rendezvous supper dance with Las Vegas-type entertainment, and national celebrity monarchs featured each year are just a few of the tradition-breaking moves that set the Krewe of Bacchus apart from the very beginning! Celebrities such as Raymond Burr, Bob Hope, Dom DeLuise, Charlton Heston, William Shatner, Kirk Douglas and Dick Clark have portrayed Bacchus, the Greek god of wine. Luke Perry currently reigns as Bacchus XXVIII. The parade's more than 25 floats include several super floats such as the Bacchagator, Bacchasaurus, and Baccha-Whoppa.
