Monday, February 20, 2012

D-Xirably Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras and Multicultural!

Today is a great day for TWO AWESOME reasons! First, it is my AMAZING mother's birthday! Happy birthday to my lovely mom! :) Love you! :)

And second, it's FAT TUESDAY! Yes, today is MARDI GRAS! Happy Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras everyone!


In honor of Mardi Gras, my post will be about my heritage/multicultural background! Also, thank you Sam (http://frillsandthrills.blogspot.com) for suggesting that I do a post about it! :)

First, it's Mardi Gras! Mardi Gras is HUGE in Louisiana (New Orleans/Nawlins/NOLA)! My grandmother and great grandmother were both from Louisiana! So, my plan is to go "home" to Louisiana during Mardi Gras one year! I would LOVE that!

So, what's Mardi Gras and why is it such a big deal? Well, Mardi Gras is one of really cool and super fun celebration! I hear that celebrating it in New Orleans/Nawlins/NOLA, Louisiana is the best though, which is why I WILL be going to celebrate it there eventually!


Picture of a Mardi Gras cup and Mardi Gras beads

What Mardi Gras is and why it's celebrated!

For its unmatched exuberance, lively spirits, and city-wide participation, the Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans can be regarded as the most extravagant of all American festivals. Mardi Gras is possessed by New Orleans through a bond of uniqueness, love, and tradition.

Although Mardi Gras is basically a Catholic holiday, today it is party for everyone here in United States. This is especially true in New Orleans and other parts of Louisiana which can be credited for introducing this tradition in the country. Mardi Gras first came to New Orleans through French Culture in the year 1699 when the French explorers celebrated the holiday on the Mississippi River.

In French, "Mardi Gras" literally means "Fat Tuesday," so named because it falls on the day before Ash Wednesday, the last day prior to Lent...a 40-day season of prayer and fasting observed by the Roman Catholic Church (and many other Christian denominations) which ends on Easter Sunday. The origin of "Fat Tuesday" is believed to have come from the ancient Pagan custom of parading a fat ox through the town streets. Such Pagan holidays were filled with excessive eating, drinking and general bawdiness prior to a period of fasting.

Mardi Gras is always 47 days prior to this alloted Sunday (the 40 days of Lent plus seven Sundays). The beginning of the Carnival Season itself, however, is also fixed...being January 6, which is the Feast of the Ephiphany. The length of the Carnival Season varies accordingly from year-to-year. The origin of the word "Carvinal" is from the Latin for "farewell to the flesh," a time when one is expected to forego earthly pleasures prior to the restrictions of the Lenten Season, and is thought to be derived from the feasts of the Middle Ages known as carnis levamen or "solace of the flesh."

 Mardi Gras Colors!

The traditional colors of Mardi Gras are purple (symbolic of justice), green (symbolic of faith) and gold (symbolic of power). The accepted story behind the original selection of these colors originates from 1872 when the Grand Duke Alexis Romanoff of Russia visited New Orleans. During his stay, he was given the honor of selecting the official Mardi Gras colors by the Krewe of Rex...thus, did these colors also become the colors of the House of Romanoff. The 1892 Rex Parade theme ("Symbolism of Colors") first gave meaning to the representation of the official Mardi Gras colors. 

Picture of a flag with Mardi Gras colors

Picture of Mardi Gras beads

Mardi Gras Celebrations!

Today, Louisiana's Mardi Gras is celebrated not only in New Orleans, but also in numerous smaller cities and towns around the State and in the neighboring Gulf Coast Region. Louisiana is the only state in which Mardi Gras is a legal holiday. However, elaborate carnival festivities draw crowds in other parts of the United States during the Mardi Gras season as well. Each region has its own events and traditions.

Today, Mardi Gras is celebrated with much fanfare in many parts of the US and also all over the world in places like Belgium, Brazil, the Caribbean nations, Colombia, France, Germany, Guatemala, India, Italy, Mexico, Panama, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. In the US, the festival is fervidly observed in Louisiana, Alabama, California, and Florida. The French tradition apart, influences of the Germans, as well as the British are evident in the day's customs across the country.

Mardi Gras Parades!

However, the parade is the main attraction of the New Orleans Mardi Gras and precedes the balls. The entire Bourbon Street is dedicated to the parades and has a world wide fame. Each of the organizations picks a king and a queen for its parade. These parades comprise floats, dancers and bands. Most parades have at least 15 floats. The elaborate procession of floats, decorated to depict different themes, are pulled by tractors.

The Rex parade is the highlight of the day. Saluting his queen who sits in the reviewing stand in front of the Boston Club, Rex is toasted by the mayor. Manned by his glittering, masked knights the Rex parade then slowly winds its way through the narrow streets of the Vieusx Carré. The press of people is tremendous and they spill over the streets making the streets crowded. But it's not a problem because all businesses remain closed on the day. And the festive revelry floods the whole city.

Mardi Gras Goodies!

As the parade with its costumed figures on the floats crawls its way through the crowded streets, viewers along side shout with the traditional Mardi Gras cry: "Throw me something mistuh!" Strings of beads, doubloons, cups and trinkets are thrown into the air. Beads are of plastic and come in all different colors, shapes and sizes. They resemble jewels that royalty would wear. Doubloons are metal coins that are about the size of a silver dollar. They come in different colors and are stamped with the krewes' emblem and their theme for the year. Similar to doubloons, cups bear the krewes emblem and theme for the year. Trinkets might be anything from a candy, to stuffed toys, and knickknacks of every description. They are almost worthless, but a stranger would never know it judging by the enthusiasm with which they are received and fought for.

The floats, the dancers and the marching units with the innumerable bands apart, the city on Mardi Gras is thronged with ordinary citizens who for the day have become quite extraordinary. With costumes of all colors and varieties the children and the grown ups alike become circus clowns or fabulous beasts or live comic-strip characters. Some groups may also cavort according to their whim as harem beauties or Indians or famous Americans.

Mardi Gras Masks!

Picture of two beautiful Mardi Gras masks
Illustration of Theater (Tragedy/Comedy) Mardi Gras masks

Illustration of a lady with Mardi Gras colored masks

Picture of beautiful and colorful Mardi Gras masks

Mardi Gras Coins, Wreaths, and Beads!

Picture of Mardi Gras beads

Picture of a Mardi Gras wreath

Mardi Gras Costumes!

Picture of some Mardi Gras costumes
Picture of a Mardi Gras costume

Pictures of some Mardi Gras costumes/dancers

Delectable Mardi Gras Themed Cakes!

Picture of a beautiful Mardi Gras themed cake!
Picture of a beautiful Mardi Gras themed cake!


Picture of a beautiful Mardi Gras themed cake
Picture of a beautiful Mardi Gras themed cake!

Picture of a beautiful Mardi Gras themed cake

Picture of some beautiful Mardi Gras themed cupcakes!
Picture of some beautiful Mardi Gras themed cupcakes!


Second, I am Creole/Lousiana Creole (which is the mixture of African American, Native American, French, Spanish, and/or West African Ancestry)! So, you can see why I LOVE Louisiana and it's celebrations so much!

 Ashley Forrestier personally feels, "Creole is a culture and a way of life; It is a rich culture with numerous contributions to food, entertainment and Louisiana history."




Third, I am African American/Black and I'm Native American. In particular, I am Cherokee Indian on my mother's side. My father is Native American as well but he never told me which tribe. So, I just claim Cherokee since I know that it's true! :)

Some of my favorite Native American Images!


Picture of a Native American Prayer 




Picture with A Strong Woman poem

Picture with one of my favorite Native American tale's, "The Story of Two Wolves"!

The above image includes a short excerpt of my favorite Native American tale, "The Story of Two Wolves". It's an incredible story that teaches about the good and the bad side within all of us. I use the moral/lesson in my life as well. My dad told me this tale during one of our conversations and it has been one of my favorite moral tales ever since!

This picture of the beautiful Josephine Baker is also my desktop image! :)

 Remember when I said that Josephine Baker is my favorite 1920's icon? Well, she was Creole! She was called the "Creole Goddess"! She was a very well known singer and dancer of her time. She was born in St. Louis, MO in 1906. She eventually moved to France in 1937 and became a citizen. She felt that racism wasn't as big of an issue there. (Sidenote: Many Creoles would go to France to be educated to get away from USA racial inequality).


Sorry that my post is so long. I didn't expect that to happen but I hope that you enjoyed reading it! Happy Mardi Gras Everyone! I hope that you enjoy it! :)

Love always,
LaTasha B.
x0x0x0x

46 comments:

  1. Happy birthday to your mom and have great fat tuesday! This muli ethnic post is amazing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Francesca R. Capizzi - Thank you so much for your comment love! I really appreciate it! My mom says thank you so much! :) And I hope that you had a great Fat Tuesday as well! I'm so glad that you enjoyed my post! :)

      Love always,
      LaTasha B.
      x0x0x0x

      Delete
  2. Happy Birthday to your fabulous Mom! I hope you enjoy Fat Tuesday, we had a colleague who brought in paczkis :)

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    1. Bravoe Runway - Thank you so much for your comment hun! I really appreciate it! My mom says thank you so much! :) I did enjoy Fat Tuesday! I hope that you enjoyed it as well! :)

      Love always,
      LaTasha B.
      x0x0x0x

      Delete
  3. Replies
    1. Eye Spy - Thank you so much love for your comment! I really appreciate it! :)

      Love always,
      LaTasha B.
      x0x0x0x

      Delete
  4. Paaaaartyyyyy weekend! :)

    http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
    Twitter: @GlamKitten88

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bonnie - Yes, it's definitely Party Weekend! You are not lying about that! Thanks for your comment hun! :)

      Love always,
      LaTasha B.
      x0x0x0x

      Delete
  5. Hope u spoiled ur mama a bit!

    xx

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    1. Juanita Kenton - I had a dinner planned for her birthday but she didn't want to go. So, we are going to go to dinner for her birthday later! Thanks for your comment hun! :)

      Love always,
      LaTasha B.
      x0x0x0x

      Delete
  6. great post dear=)
    love carnaval hehe..
    kisses!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lapetiteblonde - Thank you so much for your comment hun! I'm glad that you like my post hun! I love carnaval too! :)

      Love always,
      LaTasha B.
      x0x0x0x

      Delete
  7. I loved learning about the celebration.
    I think very important to learn about different cultures.
    Your posts are always great.

    Xoxo.
    http://modaeexcelencia.blogspot.com/

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    Replies
    1. Leticia Mota - Thank you so much for your comment hun! I REALLY appreciate it! I'm glad that you enjoyed learning about the celebration and I agree! It's so important to learn about different cultures! Thanks so much! I'm so glad that you believe that my posts are always great! Means a lot! :)

      Love always,
      LaTasha B.
      x0x0x0x

      Delete
  8. Hi sweety, sorry I haven't visited this week, I was on vacation. Happy birthday to your mum too! Thanks for doing this post, so much information to take in, I am quite excited! Mardi Gras sounds sensational, so much fun, culture and vibrance, I'd love to be a witness to that someday. Your heritage is so interesting, part Native Indian, Creole and African American - wow! An amazing combination and a heritage you must be so proud of! Thanks for sharing it with us :))

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    1. Sam - My lovely Sam! I was wondering about you my love! :) It's okay! I hope that you enjoyed your vacation hun! Where was it? My mom and I both say thank you! She appreciates it! :) I know, it's a LOT of information but it was SO hard to cut it! Mardi Gras is wonderful in my opinion! :) Thanks, I'm so glad that you find my heritage so interesting! I appreciate that! I do enjoy being the combination and I'm very proud of it! No problem for sharing it! You gave me the idea, so thank you! :)

      Love always,
      LaTasha B.
      x0x0x0x

      Delete
  9. hello,
    i have found your blog via your comments in Sam's frills and thrills blog, i decided to check it out and thanks God i did cause this is one of the best blogs i've read, i rarely read non-fashion blogs but you are the exception, this is so well written,so helpful so informative thank you for that. as a non-american ( i live in greece) i didn't know that many informations about mardi gras but i now have learnt so many things.
    thank you
    LaTasha.

    xx
    Marianne
    http://lureofthedarkside.blogspot.com/
    you can stop by my blog if you want, its no way as interesting as this, and its mainly fashion related with lots of fashion editorials, but whatever, you come, read it and if you like come back, comment or follow.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marianne M. - Thank you so much for you awesome comment hun! I'm so glad that you found my blog through my comment in Sam's Frills and Thrills blog. I LOVE her! :) I'm glad that you believe that my blogs is one of the best blogs that you've read. I really appreciate that hun! It means a LOT! :) I'm glad and I'm proud that I am the exception! :) Glad you appreciate the post and learned some new things! I'm also happy that you said that it's so well written! :)

      P.S. I've checked out your blog and it's FABULOUS hun! LOVE IT! :)

      Love always,
      LaTasha B.
      x0x0x0x

      Delete
  10. perfect post dear!!
    and also happy birthaday to your mum!!
    kisses

    maitane

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    Replies
    1. Maitane - Thank you so much lovely! It's always nice to see your comments! I'm glad that you enjoy the post love! My mom and I say thank you! She appreciates the happy birthday love! You're wonderful! :)

      Love always,
      LaTasha B.
      x0x0x0x

      Delete
  11. hey,
    thanks for your comment on my blog and post about the hotness that's Francisco Lachowski, he is very popular, i thought you knew him, if you google him more than 1 millions results will appear. I don't do smokers either, but he is soooooo hot i wouldn't have a problem lol. i usually feature fashion editorials with women but i decided that a eye-candy section once in a while wouldn't be bad, right?
    oh and of course i am going to follow you, i am following you via GFC now, i really want to read your next posts.
    oh oh maybe u could make a post with quotes about war and peace? i love these kind of posts.
    i didn't see any bloglovin button, but if you have bloglovin account let me know and i'll follow you.
    i would love it if you followed me back
    via GFC, facebook, bloglovin, whatever u want.
    byeee
    http://lureofthedarkside.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marianne M - Thanks so much love for following me! As promised I'm following you back on Google Friend Connect AND Facebook! I'm SO looking forward to your future posts and congrats on your Adele post being featured as one of the best posts of the week in IFB's Links A La Mode Weekly Roundup! You deserved it! That post was AMAZING love! And an EYE CANDY section is incredible ezpecially when you pick eye candy that looks as good as Francisco Lachowski! I have some new eye candy now! :) And I will definitely do a post with quotes about war and peace hun! I would LOVE to do it! I'll be sure to link your name to it as inspiration for it! Thanks for the idea hun! :)

      Love always,
      LaTasha B.
      x0x0x0x

      Delete
  12. Happy birthday to your mom.
    I completely that today is FAT Tuesday. Fun fun. Great post.

    http://myminibag.blogspot.com

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    1. My mini bag - Thank you so much for your comments hun! My mom and I say thank you! She appreciates the happy birthday love! Yes, Fat Tuesday was this past Tuesday! I'm glad that you like my post! :)

      Checking out your blog now! :)

      Love always,
      LaTasha B.
      x0x0x0x

      Delete
  13. Awwww.. Happy Birthday to your mommy :)
    and Mardi Gras celebration looks and sounds fun :D
    Have a great week hon..
    N thank u fr ur heart-felt comments.. I really appreciate them :)

    New post is up, if you have time to read :)

    Love
    Akanksha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Akanksha - Thank you so much for your comment hun! I appreciate it! My mom and I say thank you! She appreciates the happy birthday love! Yes, Mardi Gras is SO much fun! Have a great week love and no problem hun. Anytime! Glad that you appreciate them! :)

      I will check out your new post now! :)

      Love always,
      LaTasha B.
      x0x0x0x

      Delete
  14. I love all those colors! great pictures,

    p.s the cakes look delicious!

    xoxo

    PurePreciousPerfection.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Bodil Huisman - Thank you so much for your comment hun! I appreciate it! I'm glad that you love the colors, the pictures, and the cakes hun! They do look delicious! :)

      Checking out your blog now! :)

      Love always,
      LaTasha B.
      x0x0x0x

      Delete
  15. Thanks for your lovely comment dear! I appreciate it, I will post the vaykay pics soon. Good to be back to your blog too!

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    Replies
    1. Sam - No problem on the comment lovely lady! I'm glad that you appreciate it! I can't wait to see your vacay pics soon! :)

      Love always,
      LaTasha B.
      x0x0x0x

      Delete
  16. Oops, I'm a little late on this. Aha, happy belated birthday to your mom and Mardi Gras! Haha, hope it was a fun time for all of you :)

    http://www.trendyteal.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's totally okay love! It's better late than never hun, that's what I believe! :) Thank you so much for your comment hun! My mom and I say thank you! She appreciates the happy belated love! Yes, it was fun for us! Have a great weekend! :)

      Love always,
      LaTasha B.
      x0x0x0x

      Delete
  17. Hi Sweetie, Thanks for great post, it is very interesting to read about other culture and tradition. Beautiful celebrations and the photos. Have a nice weekend.
    http://aprettylife13.blogspot.com/

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    1. Aurelia - Thank you so much for your comment love! I appreciate it! :) I'm glad that you like my post and I agree! It's always interesting to read about other cultures and traditions! I'm glad that you like the photos! Thanks, you have a great weekend as well! :)

      Love always,
      LaTasha B.
      x0x0x0x

      Delete
  18. I've never been to Mardi Gras before, but it sounds (and looks) like a great time!

    xo,Cortnie
    http://stylelustpages.com

    Stop by some time!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cortnie Elizabeth - Thank you so much for your comment hun! I appreciate it! Mardi Gras is fun! It's a great time! :)

      Checking out your blog now! :)

      Love always,
      LaTasha B.
      x0x0x0x

      Delete
  19. W.o.w. That was the longest post I've ever read :) At first I didn't know what you meant by Mardi Gras celebration but more I've read more familiar it became. Afterall you did mention Slovenia and we do celebrate it. We like to call it some kind of Halloween because we would wear costumes and go trick or treat. Attending carnevals is not really an option because we are after all small country, masquerades are more popular.
    And as always it's impossible to comment every detail (unfortunately) or I'll write as much as you did ;) Fabulously written, as always...

    xoxo
    http://marinnelle.blogspot.com/

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    1. Marinnelle - Thank you so much for your comment hun! As ALWAYS, I really appreciate it! I know! I didn't mean for it to be SO long, it just happened. Thank you for telling me how it's celebrated in Slovenia! I LOVE learning new things! Yes, that does sound like our Halloween! :) I'm glad that you thought that it was written well! You are so kind and wonderful! :)

      Love always,
      LaTasha B.
      x0x0x0x

      Delete
  20. Hi sweetheart, thnaks for your always lovely comments. I Hadn't seen the other comments you left last week until now...were you looking for some posts about South Africa? Theres a label for it if you'd like. It would be so awesome if you could come visit!

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    1. Sam - No problem at all for the comments beautiful! I found them love and commented on them! :)

      Love always,
      LaTasha B.
      x0x0x0x

      Delete
  21. thankyou for your sweet posts, i'm following you now! :)
    follow me back?

    kisses,

    Bo.

    PurePreciousPerefection.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bodil Huisman - No problem at all for the sweet comments hun! Thank you so much for following me! Of course, I will follow you back now love! :)

      Love always,
      LaTasha B.
      x0x0x0x

      Delete
  22. very interesting post dear, thanks for sharing that and happy birthday to you mum!
    xoox
    Faby

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    Replies
    1. Fabiana - Thank you so much for your comment love! I really appreciate it! :) Glad you found my post very interesting! :) My mom and I say thank you! She appreciates the happy birthday love! :)

      Love always,
      LaTasha B.
      x0x0x0x

      Delete
  23. Just to let you know, I have awarded you the Versatile Blogger Award. Check out the award on my blog- http://myminibag.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OMG! Thank you SO very much love! I really appreciate it love! That's the best news EVER! I really, really appreciate it! You are so wonderful! You just made my day 1000x better! :)

      Love always,
      LaTasha B.
      x0x0x0x

      Delete

Hello lovely reader! Thank you so much for reading my blog! I REALLY appreciate it! And if you're leaving a comment, thank you so much! I will respond back to you as soon as I can, and I will be sure to check out your blog as well! Have a lovely day! Love ya! x0x0x0x! :)