Traditional Rural Louisiana Mardi Gras
Courir de Mardi Gras - 2023
A small community west of Lafayette called Mermentau Cove. Mermantau has a deep rooted celebration of the traditional Courir de Mardi Gras. The morning was spent walking along the flooded rice fields and crawfish ponds as participants honored a tradition dating back to Catholic Medieval Europe. A tradition carried to North America by European immigrants during the 17th and 18th centuries. Along with Mike Murat, Shannon Atkinson, Kevin Rabalais Dressed in traditional style costumes made from a variety of materials. Participants walked, rode horseback, or hitching a ride on tractor drawn trailers. Participants moved from farm to farm collecting items to be added to a gumbo celebration taking place at the end of the route, pausing only at a community cemetery to honor their ancestors with prayers and songs in French and English before continuing on.
Courir de Mardi Gras 2021
