Masks are an integral part of Mardi Gras culture. During early Mardi Gras celebrations hundreds of years ago, masks were a way for their wearers to escape class constraints and social demands. Mask wearers could mingle with people of all different classes and could be whomever they desired, at least for a few days.
In New Orleans, float riders are required by law to have a mask on. On Fat Tuesday, masking is legal for all Mardi Gras attendees — although many storeowners will post signs asking those entering to please remove their masks first.
Flambeaux, meaning flame-torch, was the tradition of people carrying shredded rope soaked in pitch through the streets so that nighttime revelers could enjoy festivities after dark. They were originally carried by slaves and free African Americans trying to earn a little money.
New Orleans has been celebrating Mardi Gras for hundreds of years, and is the largest masked party in North America.
In the beginning, masks worn during Mardi Gras allowed wearers to escape society and class constraints. When wearing a mask, carnival goers were free to be whomever they wanted to be, and mingle with whatever class they desired to mingle with. However, they were also considered to be a diversion for poor people, and women who wore masks had their reputation questioned. Mardi Gras is a holiday celebration that lasts from January 6th of each year until the day before Ash Wednesday, 40 days prior to Easter Sunday.
Masks have been a major part of the Mardi Gras festivities for as long as it has been celebrated. Masks have been a part of Mardi Gras since the early s; however, from the s to , masks were forbidden during the celebrations. The original purpose of Mardi Gras masks was to protect the identity of revelers, men who went door to door to sing, dance and beg for offerings to make a communal gumbo.
In the old day, the Indians were violent. Indians would meet on Mardi Gras; it was a day to settle scores. Failure to wear a mask while riding on a float would even result in members of the krewe getting fired, especially from the famous Endymion and Zulu parades of the city. Today, many of the Mardi Gras masquerade masks worn closely resemble those of the Carnival of Venice.
One of the striking differences is that traditional Mardi Gras masks contain three colors: purple for justice, green for faith, and gold, which represents power. These masks continue to remain a crucial part of Mardi Gras, allowing festival goers to act like whomever they want for the few weeks a year that the celebration lasts. If we always tried to be one single self, without our masks, the world would grind to a halt. With them, the world proceeds from self to self.
Dombrowski, Jennifer. Laing, Jennifer. Pedroza, Katlyn. Ross, Philip. Silverman, Leah.
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