Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras (/ˈmɑːrdiɡrɑː/), also called Shrove Tuesday, or Fat Tuesday, in English,
refers to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or
after the Christian feasts of the Epiphany (Three Kings Day)
and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras
is French for "Fat Tuesday", reflecting the practice of the last
night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the
Lenten season.
Related popular practices are associated with
Shrovetide celebrations before the fasting and religious obligations associated with the
penitential season of Lent. In countries such as England, Mardi Gras is also known as Shrove
Tuesday, which is derived from the word shrive, meaning "confess".
Popular
In many areas, the term "Mardi Gras" has come to mean the whole period of activity
related to the celebratory events, beyond just the single day. In some American cities, it is
now called "Mardi Gras Day".
The festival season varies from city to city, as
some traditions, such as the one in New Orleans,
Louisiana, consider Mardi Gras to stretch the entire
period from Twelfth Night (the last night of Christmas
which begins Epiphany) to Ash Wednesday. Others treat
the final three-day period before Ash Wednesday as the
Mardi Gras. In Mobile, Alabama, Mardi Gras-associated
social events begin in November, followed by mystic
society balls on Thanksgiving, then New Year's Eve, followed by parades and balls in January
and February, celebrating up to midnight before Ash Wednesday. In earlier times, parades
were held on New Year's Day. Other cities famous for Mardi Gras celebrations include Rio de
Janeiro; Barranquilla, Colombia; George Town, Cayman Islands; Port of Spain, Trinidad and
Tobago; Quebec City, Quebec, Canada; and Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico.
Carnival is an important celebration in Anglican and Catholic European nations. In
the United Kingdom and Ireland, the week before Ash Wednesday is called "Shrovetide",
ending on Shrove Tuesday. It has its popular celebratory aspects, as well. Pancakes are a
traditional food. Pancakes and related fried breads or pastries made with sugar, fat, and eggs
are also traditionally consumed at this time in many parts of Latin America and the
Caribbean.
