Why Is Mardi Gras Celebrated
Why Is Mardi Gras Celebrated. Carnival is a time to eat, drink and be merry before the rigorous fasting and sacrifice during Lent. This version involves beads, masks and lascivious behavior.
My first reason why Mardi Gras is so much fun is that it's a month-long celebration. Mardi Gras is technically celebrated on Shrove Tuesday, the last day before Lent begins, however, these celebrations have also taken over the weekend prior to Lent as well. It was brought to the new world by the French explorer Iberville.
Celebrations are concentrated for about two weeks before and through Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday (the start of lent in the Western Christian tradition).
Challenge students to choose a country and learn more about how they specifically celebrate Mardi Gras.
Mardi Gras " is a lively, colorful [not to mention bawdy and debased] celebration held on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent begins ," says the World Book Encyclopedia. Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday", reflecting the practice of the last night of eating rich, fatty foods before the ritual Lenten sacrifices. In many areas, however, Mardi Gras has evolved into a week-long festival.