Countryside Courirs a Cajun Tradition

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The sights and sounds of a Mardi Gras celebration on city streets are something special – that can’t be denied. The pageantry and extravagance makes for a beautiful display of royalty and revelry. But one could argue that you haven’t experienced a true Fat Tuesday until you’ve done it in Cajun country.

A Courir de Mardi Gras – translated Running of Mardi Gras – is a traditional celebration of Mardi Gras that dates back to medieval France, but more on that later. It is steeped in ritual, from the events of the day down to the threads in the costumes. The main components of a Courir de Mardi Gras embody all that most know and love about the Cajun culture – faith, family, food and music. While celebrated throughout the South by nearly everyone, Mardi Gras is considered a religious holiday. It is celebrated in the Catholic faith as the day before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten season. During Lent Catholics fast and focus boards and capuchins all aim to ridicule the rich, educated and aristocratic French. It’s also why most runners will disguise their voice while begging and teasing spectators. They pray, sing, horse play and dance with women, men and children alike to persuade the home owner to give them anything

At the end of the day, the men gather with the community and their families, usually at a church hall or the home of a community member and cook up a gumbo. There is food and a good time to be had by all at the fais do-do. Don’t be surprised to find people of all ages, from babies to grandparents. It is a family affair!