Mardi Gras = Perfect Timing

[HistoryMamaX3]

I love this history involved with Mardi Gras. It is a very complex holiday- which most people know very little about. Every year I taught a Mardi Gras unit to my students- topped off with a masquerade dance! 

I should mention that I taught in a Catholic school and we celebrated all things Catholic associated with Mardi Gras!!!

The celebration of Mardi Gras is an example of the Mideval Church at its best. The mixture of symbolism, economics, ritual and human understanding is complicated and worked very well. So well, in fact, that people still celebrate it unchanged much from its original ideal- unlike many of our mainstream holidays.

The reason for the holiday was simple. The church was always working on ways to keep the people involved. It took people, at a time of year known to be the most dangerous, and made them spiritual and gave them hope for the coming of spring. Of course, most of these ideas were learned from our Pagan brothers and sisters- but the church knew how to make it their own as well as how to keep its followers.

Most holidays are well planned throughout the year. Mardi Gras is of no exception- It comes in a time that most people's foods supplies were near gone. The cold weather that was storing meats and fats was slowly warming, allowing them to rot. People had been cooped up in their homes, ailing and cold- praying and hoping for the darkness of the season to be gone. The Christmas Season has long passed and the Celebration of Easter is not close enough.

Mardi Gras itself is the precursor of Lent. A pious celebration of fasting and self study. Beginning on Ash Wednesday and lasting until Easter Sunday- people were encouraged not to eat meat or fats and focus on such foods as leeks and vegetable broths.

Not there was much left to eat- and this helped encourage people NOT to eat the rotting meats and fats they may still have in their supplies. But the Church knew that hunger and temptation would overcome people- thus Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday were created.

This festival allowed people to let loose- become naughty and enjoy themselves, even in the dead cold of winter. People were encouraged to gorge themselves with the remaining food supplies. Dressing up- dancing and a whatever attitude was a cheer up for people that knew they had 40 days until Easter and another fabulous feast.

Sure, the Church used this time to ready themselves for the season of Lent- but it was a practical idea as well. People sickened themselves and their families after eating foods gone too far.

So- I encourage you to go out and enjoy a local pancake feed. You'll find Knights of Columbus groups offering them up everywhere this time of year! Toss on an extra slab of butter and be thankful for electricity...

To be continued: Tomorrow- Looking at the Symbolism!

[ErikaRobin]

Feb. 21, 2009 at 5:07 PM

I do love me some Fat Tuesday Pancakes.  :)

(. ) ( .)   Now gimme some beads!      

[Fistandantalus]

Feb. 21, 2009 at 5:29 PM

I remember studying this back at Catholic school.  It's cool!  Tomorrow's lesson is very interesting, isn't it, Carmin?

[callmeann]

Feb. 21, 2009 at 6:15 PM

So, do you think it takes away from the meaning of the observation of Lent for people to give up chocolates, or cigarettes, or other things.  When I was young, my Catholic friends told me that the purpose of Lent was to give up something that matters to you in order to make people realize about personal sacrifice.

[HistoryMamaX3]

Feb. 21, 2009 at 6:29 PM

No, Ann. Lent has meaning and purpose of its own as well. It symbolizes Christ's time of personal search- when he went soul searching on his own for 40 days. His self sacrifice was for us- we in turn can sacrifice things that are important to us, reminding us that we can rise above the need for these things.

Also, in this time of electricity and delopment, the health concerns are not the same. Most people do not fast during the season of Lent. Rather, they choose to give up something instead. Also, giving something up isn't the only option. It is actually seen as the easiest. Another, more beneficial to others, option is doing extra services. Giving up your time and giving back to those around you.

(Original Poster)

[Moonrush]

Feb. 21, 2009 at 8:18 PM

Carmin, thank you for the history lesson!  I had no idea that Mardi Gras had so much background!