The Cajun Mardi Gras, traditionally known as Courir de Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday Run, has been a staple in southern Louisiana for hundreds (yes, hundreds) of years. The Courir de Mardi Gras is a cultural tradition dating back to Europe as early as the 17th century. It was then brought over to settlers in the Cajun country. https://pelicanstateofmind.com/louisiana-love/history-cajun-mardi-gras-chicken-chase
Chicken Run: Prairie Acadiana Cultural center
Eunice,La
Courir de Mardi Gras translates roughly as “the run of the Mardi Gras.” And in Eunice the museum has a great exhibit to explore. this tradition. And try a Saturday class to explore Cajun life with food,music and crafts for the whole family.
Today’s events :
Live music & events Downtown at Walnut & Second St.
9:30 Eunice Old Time Boucherie
10am Ryan Simon & Acadien
12:30pm Kegan Navarre & Louisiana Traditions
3pm Children’s “Lil Mardi Gras” Parade
4pm Horace Trahan & the Ossun Express
Iota Tee Mamou Mardi Gras :
Like all living traditions, the rural Mardi Gras has changed over time, but the ritual celebration retains much of its old character, symbolism and significance. In communities of Mamou, Eunice, Church Point and others, the day still begins with masked and costumed revelers riding on horseback or in trucks from house to house, begging gifts of food or money in exchange for performances of singing and dancing. As always, it ends with the triumphant return of the Mardi Gras to town and the community gathering to share a day’s bounty in a gros gumbo and dance which ends promptly at Midnight, the beginning of Ash Wednesday.All who run the Tee Mamou-Iota Mardi Gras must wear traditional handmade costumes and masks. The Mardi Gras suits fashioned of colorful or motley fabric and fringe are topped by the tall, coneshaped hat called a capuchon which dates back to medieval times and symbolizes a mockery of the nobility. Homemade masks, traditionally constructed of wire screen, are creatively elaborated with beards, eyebrows and exaggerated features. In recent years, embroidered plastic mesh has also been employed as an innovation in the art of mask making. The capataine and his co-captains remain undisguised. They maintain discipline among the Mardi Gras and act as the liason between the Mardi Gras and the public. Each captain carries a distinctive whip of braided burlap, which is often used generously to keep unruly Mardi Gras in check.
