Special Sub-Topic: Mardi Gras Authored by: CAngel05 Sub-topic of: January & February

True or False: Mardi Gras in America was begun in New Orleans.

false & F. A common misconception - Mardi Gras in America was actually begun in Mobile, Alabama in 1703, a year after its {founding;} in 1857, members of a Mobilian mystic society brought Mardi Gras to New Orleans.

Which of the following is not one of New Orleans' Mardi Gras colors?

blue. Well that one shouldn't have been too difficult.

Which of the New Orleans Mardi Gras colors is not a Mobilian Mardi Gras color?

green. Mobile's Mardi Gras colors are yellow, symbolizing power, and purple, symbolizing justice. Green was added when Mardi Gras arrived in New Orleans.

What medieval tradition can Mardi Gras be traced back to?

feasting before the arrival of Lent. Mardi Gras day was the last day before Lent, when Catholics would give up a certain food until Easter. Therefore, they would faest the day before. Hence the translation of Mardi Gras in the next question...

What does the French expression 'Mardi Gras' literally translate to in English?

Fat Tuesday. It was called so because of the feasting that took place on this day.

What is the name of the first mystic society, created in 1830?

Cowbellion de Rakin Society. This society, under the leadership of Michael Kraft, took the streets of Mobile in 1830 after plundering local stores for rakes, hoes, and cowbells. It was the Cowbellion de Rakin Society who traveled to New Orleans in 1857 to begin its first mystic society.

When did this original mystic society hold its parade?

New Year's Eve. Though the Cowbellion de Rakin society marched the streets of Mobile on New Year's Eve, they are still considered the first mystic society and a predecessor of modern Mardi Gras.

How did the Spanish add their touch to the French Mardi Gras?

by holding lighted torch parades. Some mystic societies today still march by torchlight.

Which of the following was New Orleans' first mystic society?

Crewe of Comos. The Crewe of Comos still holds parades at Mardi Gras in New Orleans. The other three societies mentioned hold parades in Mobile.

Which of the following individuals gained fame for reviving Mardi Gras after the Civil War?

Joseph Cain. Joseph Stillwell Cain, affectionately known as 'Joe Cain', donned Chikasaw Indian clothing and climbed onto a decorated coal wagon pulled by a mule. The Sunday before Mardi Gras is still celebrated as 'Joe Cain Day,' where anyone who wants to can join in the parade. (Michael Kraft led the Cowbellion de Rakin Society, and Daniel E. Huger and Ethel Hodgson reigned as the first king and queen of Mobile's carnival.)

Which of the following societies did the Joseph Cain found?

Order of Myths. Cain founded the Order of Myths, who still hold the final parade in Mobile on Mardi Gras night. He also founded The Lost Cause Minstrels, composed of sixteen former Confederate soldiers playing drums and horns.

What was the first black mystic society in Mobile?

Order of Doves. All of these were black mystic societies in Mobile, but the original was the Order of Doves, which held its first ball in 1894.

Which of the following was Mobile's first women's society?

Polka Dots. The Polka Dots were the first women's society in Mobile, holding their first parade in 1949. They still march today, along with several other women's societies, including the Order of Athena. Le Krewe de Bienville holds balls for tourists to Mobile during Mardi Gras.

What is Mardi Gras known as in the Christian calendar?

Shrove Tuesday. Shrove Tuesday is the day before Lent starts. The following day, the first day of lent is known as Ash Wednesday.

What Mobilian mystic society rides aboard floats that are decorated with sarcastic remarks and drawings and rarely throws candy and trinkets?

Comic Cowboys. The Comic Cowboys typically parade behind the KOR floats.