People have been celebrating Mardi Gras for centuries, and in more ways than one.
Beginning in the times of the Roman Empire and the emergence of Christianity, Mardi Gras has been celebrated the day before a period in the Liturgical Calendar called Lent, during which it is tradition to fast.
French for “Fat Tuesday,” Mardi Gras is celebrated worldwide. In New Orleans and Brazil, the holiday is marked with lavish parades and parties, while in Italy, masquerades commemorate the occasion.
Carnival is the time that begins after the Feast of Epiphany until Lent, while Mardi Gras refers to the day before Lent. Carnival is a season, while Mardi Gras is only a day.
Although Mardi Gras and Carnival celebrate the same thing, the terms should not be interchangeable.
Closer to home, the Winthrop Newman Catholic community hopes to educate students about the celebration of Mardis Gras and Catholic tradition.
When describing the traditions of Mardi Gras, Winthrop sophomore and member of Winthrop Newman Marianna Beltran, said, “For us Catholics, Mardi Gras is a preparation for Ash Wednesday because when Ash Wednesday comes around (is) when Lent starts. Lent is the time for fasting, preparation, abstinence and prayer in preparation for Easter. So Mardi Gras is basically our indulgence day, so we partake in the celebration, eat the King’s cake and get the baby in celebration.”
The Mardi Gras babies are plastic baby figurines baked into the King’s cake. The Mardi Gras booth offered cupcakes with the babies on top and a King’s cake with a baby inside.
Whoever got the piece of cake with the baby inside would have won 10 dollars.
The plastic baby is symbolic of the holiday, according to the Catholic campus minister, Courtney Hull. “The baby represents baby Jesus, and really, Mardi Gras lasts from Epiphany–which is in January–until the day before Lent starts,” Hull said.
“Epiphany for Latin American countries is when they eat the King’s cake and whenever someone gets the baby, they have to have a party in February. This is on January 6 and they have to plan a party in February, which is like a little celebration for Mardi Gras,” Beltran said.
Countries abroad have their own traditions as well.
For New Orleans, this includes music, parades, floats and excitement. Costumes adorned in gold and purple, along with beads thrown from floats, are often worn.
Another member of Winthrop junior student Newman, Nicole Riera said, “That’s how they celebrate. We celebrate as described. They celebrate differently.”
Adding onto Riera, Beltran said, “I think it’s possible that a lot of the French were Catholics and that mixed in with the African American and Creole culture that has developed and shaped it into the modern day celebration.”
Using their booth as their platform, Winthrop Newman’s goal was to give back to the Winthrop community through sharing the celebration.
Students had the option to get a free cupcake with a baby, try their luck with the King’s cake or get beads, all in the spirit of Mardi Gras.
