Mamou Mardi Gras 1952 -1980

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Pics of Mamou Mardi Gras when it was still primarily locals participating. Mamou is the home of the traditional Mardi Gras celebration called le Courir de Mardi Gras a Cheval (the Mardi Gras run on horseback). The men and boys ride horseback or in wagons into the countryside for 20 or 30 miles, stopping at farm houses asking for donations of chickens and rice for the gumbo to be made at the end of the day. At every house they stop they have to do a Mardi Gras dance, it is a trade; entertainment for a food donation(they dance for their supper-so to speak.) When the donation is a hen or rooster, it usually has to be caught by the riders. The Mardi Gras in this area dates back before the Civil War. It was not held for many years (dormant during WWII) and then it was reorganized in 1953 by Paul Tate, Sr. and Revon Reed. The plan was hatched at the now famouse "Fred's Lounge." It is a very popular celebration and thousands of spectators visit Mamou every year to witness this traditional, festival event. Mardis Gras, french for " Fat Tuesday" is celebrated the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday (the first day of the Lenten season.) Fat Tuesday is a day of enjoying yourself with food and celebration before the fasting of the Lenten season begins to prepare us for Easter. In Mamou and surrounding areas Cajuns go to the country on horseback for Mardi Gras day. People come from all over to watch the riders start their run. They are also there to greet them after their run. There is a big dance and gumbo that night made fom the food donation collected by the Mardi Gras runners

Comments

I wonder why they don't show no videos of Craig Fontenot he was one of the best mardigras riders that ever walked the streets of mamou.

No relation J Burdick. Thank Goodness!

This was delightful. So glad to "reach back in time" to when traditions were "purer" than they are today. Thanks for the smile!

I apologize if this sounds absurd, but at 6:00 the video shows a man named Larry Bieber, 1971, and I'm wondering if he is any relation to Justin Bieber, the idiot musician kid who is currently "famous"?

@njt002: your comment really isnt worth addressing, but Acadian People are the least racist individuals on the planet.the area they are raised in is quite a diverse group of cultures, American Indians, blacks, whites, and every mixture of cultures in between they get along quite well and all look out for each other, as you must in places where there isnt much to begin with.they all share their love of their music and food, and sense of community shame on you for your uninformed commentary

I thought black folk lived in Louisiana...guess this is Kountry Kulture Kinfolk.

If Mardi Gras is "Fat Tuesday," shouldn't it be "Lard-y Gras"?

Sincerely yours, Too Much Time On His Hands

(!)

Glad to have discovered this video, especially since I ran it 3 times, 1971, 197?, and 1980 with Paul, Jr.. What a time it was and a privilege to be a part of the tradition. Hard to capture the craziness, butt the pictures do bring back great memories. Paul, Sr. was quite a guy, it is a great tribute.

ditto

I love this music so much.

Proper cajun music, long live freds lounge !!

What is the name of the song on 2:00 ?

I COULD LISTEN TO THESE SONGS ALLDAY!TOO BAD MY FAMILY LOST THE FRENCH!

Yep, Cousin Hannon was a die-hard Mardi Gras'er

@MrConeye : the name of the song is : La Valse du Port Arthur ( by the Balfa Brothers).

What is the name of the song @ 4:11 ?