Mardi Gras : Masquerade + Magick at Carnival Time

Last updated on: February 25, 2020 at 4:35 pm by Lilith Dorsey

Mardi Gras : Masquerade + Magick at Carnival Time 2020-02-25T16:35:35-05:00 Lilith Dorsey

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Many scholars agree that the first Mardi Gras happened in New Orleans in 1699. New Orleans itself wasn’t even a city until 1718, so the celebrations there are even older than the city which houses them. Mardi Gras is a floating holiday and can happen on any Tuesday between February 3rd and March 9th.

Mardi Gras is a legal holiday in Louisiana. This has been the case since 1875, when Governor Warmoth signed the “Mardi Gras Act .” This made Fat Tuesday an official government holiday. It’s over a hundred years later and the party is still going strong.

Pagan Roots of Mardi Gras

A popular theory holds that Mardi Gras’ origins are in ancient pagan celebrations of spring and fertility, like Saturnalia and Lupercalia. Saturnalia was an ancient Roman celebration of the God Saturn, and frequently involved exchange of gifts, elaborate decorations, singing, dancing and feasting. Connection claims like these are difficult to substantiate, but nonetheless the decadence is real. If you are easily offended New Orleans natives recommend staying home from parades and parties. I have written a lot here on this blog about the history of masquerade, most recently in the post J’Ouvert: Drums, Dress, and Resistance. Here I say ” There is a long tradition of Satire as resistance in Africa and throughout the Diaspora …. Those familiar with the Egungun masquerade in Africa will see parallels here. In this particular predawn event it manifests as masquerade and ritual theatre. ” Here, as in Mardi Gras we are reminded of a time when protests were just as necessary, but not as brightly lit.

The Magick of the Mask

Lilith Dorsey of Voodoo Universe in a Mardi Gras Indian Suit

In the city of New Orleans it was illegal to mask between 1817 and 1823. However by 1827 street masking was again allowed and the traditions of balls, and parades began in earnest. The first official recorded parade occurred in 1838. A mask has the ability to hide one’s identity, but in many ways also allows one’s true nature to be revealed.

The Crescent City has always been home to African Americans so where did they fit into the celebration. PBS.org tells us “African Americans, who were not invited to Mardi Gras celebrations, created their own Carnival rituals. Mardi Gras Indians began appearing in the late 19th century; the first group was the Creole Wild West from the Seventh Ward.” The history of the Mardi Gras Indians is almost as colorful as the suits themselves.

Most times it is a rare treat to see the Mardi Gars Indians, but there are a few times you can be sure to get a glimpse of the authentic majesty this tradition holds. One of these times is Fat Tuesday morning when you can see the Northside Skull and Bones Gang making their way through the Treme.

As always if you have enjoyed what you read here please remember to like, comment, and share !

About Lilith Dorsey

Lilith Dorsey M.A. , hails from many magickal traditions, including Celtic, Afro-Caribbean, and Native American spirituality. Her traditional education focused on Plant Science, Anthropology, and Film at the University of R.I, New York University and the University of London, and her magickal training includes numerous initiations in Santeria also known as Lucumi, Haitian Vodoun, and New Orleans Voodoo.Lilith Dorsey is a Voodoo Priestess and in that capacity has been doing successful magick since 1991 for patrons, is editor/publisher of Oshun-African Magickal Quarterly and filmmaker of the experimental documentary Bodies of Water :Voodoo Identity and Tranceformation,’ choreographer/performer for jazz legend Dr. John’s “Night Tripper” Voodoo Show, and author of Voodoo and Afro-Caribbean Paganism, 55 Ways to Connect to Goddess, The African-American Ritual Cookbook, and Love Magic. You can read more about the author here.

Previous Post

February 9, 2018

Holla For #BlackHogwarts

Next Post

February 16, 2018 Goodbye Mr. Okra - Farewell To A New Orleans Legend

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Ancestors astrology Candomble Crystals Divination Entertainment Goddess Herbs Hoodoo Ifa Pagan Ritual Recipes Santeria Spells Uncategorized Vodou Voodoo Witchcraft

Select a Month May 2025 January 2025 September 2024 August 2024 April 2024 March 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 September 2023 June 2023 March 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 January 2022 November 2021 October 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What happened when the Israelites saved the with leftover manna?

Select your answer to see how you score.

It turned to gold It fed animals It bred worms and stank It melted