Mardi Gras Mamou is the home of the traditional Mardi Gras celebration called le Courir de Mardi Gras a Cheval (the Mardi Gras run on horseback). The men and boys ride horseback or in wagons into the countryside for 20 or 30 miles, stopping at farm houses asking for donations of chickens and rice for the gumbo to be made at the end of the day. At every house they stop they have to do a Mardi Gras dance, it is a trade; entertainment for a food donation(they dance for their supper-so to speak.) When the donation is a hen or rooster, it usually has to be caught by the riders. The Mardi Gras in this area dates back before the Civil War. It was not held for many years and then it was recognized in 1953 by Paul Tate, Sr. It is a very popular celebration and now thousands of spectators visit Mamou every year to witness this traditional, festival event. Mardis Gras known as Fat Tuesday is celebrated the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday(the first day of the Lenten season.) Fat Tuesday is a day of enjoying yourself in food and celebration before the fasting of the Lenten season begins to prepare us for Easter. In Mamou and surrounding areas Cajuns go to the country on horseback for Mardi Gras day. People come from all over to watch the riders start their run. They are also there to greet them after their run. There is a big dance and gumbo that night made fom the food donation collected by the Mardi Gras runners. Another celebration was the baking of a King Cake. It is believed to have originated in France around the 12 Century. It is thought to have been brought to New Orleans from france in about 1870. The main part of the celebration was the baking of King Cakes to honor the three Kings. There is a baby in each cake representing the Christ child, the person getting the piece of cake with the baby in it is expected to host the next King Cake party.
Mardis Gras known as Fat Tuesday is celebrated the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday(the first day of the Lenten season.) Fat Tuesday is a day of enjoying yourself in food and celebration before the fasting of the Lenten season begins to prepare us for Easter. In Mamou and surrounding areas Cajuns go to the country on horseback for Mardi Gras day. People come from all over to watch the riders start their run. They are also there to greet them after their run. There is a big dance and gumbo that night made fom the food donation collected by the Mardi Gras runners. Another celebration was the baking of a King Cake. It is believed to have originated in France around the 12 Century. It is thought to have been brought to New Orleans from france in about 1870. The main part of the celebration was the baking of King Cakes to honor the three Kings. There is a baby in each cake representing the Christ child, the person getting the piece of cake with the baby in it is expected to host the next King Cake party.
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