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Lagniappe (lan-yap) is a great Louisiana expression meaning a little something extra, such as a baker’s dozen.
This and many other fun and necessary Cajun expressions can be found in Speaking Louisiana. This book grew from my moving to South Louisiana as a young bride and falling in love with this unique and rich culture. From its moss draped oaks, plantation homes, majestic riverboats to its sounds, smells and tastes, to its cypress filled bayous and wildlife including beautiful herons to alligators, Louisiana offers what no other state has. Here are just a few of the phrases common to my now beloved home. Many more are in this fun collection and full color “Cajun Dictionary”.
“Laissez les bon temps rouler” is heard at our family gatherings and plentiful festivals--”Let the good times roll”.
“Joie de vivre” is literally translated as “Joy of Life” which is the essence of the Acadians and Creoles whose lifestyle is known for its good food, love of God and family.
Mardi Gras Lagniappe
What is Mardi Gras? Mardi Gras, “Fat Tuesday” translated from French , is the last chance before Lent for revelry and almost anything goes. It can occur on any Tuesday between February 3 though March 9. This is due to the Gregorian calendar designed by the Catholic Church which sets a fixed date for Christmas and movable dates for other holidays. Easter is set on any Sunday from March 23 to April 25, and its exact date is set to coincide with the first Sunday after the full moon that follows the Spring Equinox. Mardi Gras is set 46 days prior to Easter--the 40 days of Lent plus 6 Sundays.
A little history--In the late 1700’s pre-Lenten balls and parties were held in New Orleans. Under French rule, masked balls flourished, but were banned later when Louisiana was under Spanish rule. After becoming an American city, New Orleans’ fun loving Creole populations convinced the governor to allow Mardi Gras balls in 1823. In 1837, a costumed group of revelers walked in the first documented parade. Due to the violence of several masked paraders during this period, Mardi Gras once again faced prohibition. Six New Orleanians formed the first “krewe” Comus, and proved Mardi Gras could be a fun and beautiful celebration. Comus began several traditions such as forming a secret Carnival society, choosing a namesake from mythology, having themed parades with floats and costumed maskers, and having a ball. Rex began in 1872 and has been known as the “King of Mardi Gras” ever since. This group honored visiting Russian royalty; organized the first daytime parade; choose the colors of Mardi Gras (purple, green and gold); the musical theme, (“If Ever I Cease to Love”); and produced its first flag. In 1916, the first black krewe, Zulu, came upon the scene. The first Zulu king poked fun at Rex and ruled with a banana scepter. Mardi Gras survived the war year, the Great Depression, and other struggles. It is celebrated throughout the entire Gulf Coast from the Florida panhandle to Texas.
The Carnival Season (from the Latin Carnivale meaning farewell to flesh) is the season of merriment which begins with Epiphany of January 6 (the Twelfth Nigh) and ends at Midnight on Mardi Gras. The season of feasting ends when the season of fasting begins with Ash Wednesday.
Krewes--Parades are organized by social clubs known as krewes and most take their name from historical or mythological figures. Comus and Momus are the two oldest krewes in New Orleans. Most krewes parade and hold Carnival balls. Usually a king and queen are selected to reign over the masked tableaux ball. This royalty usually rides on their own floats, but don’t usually throw trinkets. They may be accompanied by their courts on floats, in convertibles or masked dukes on horseback.
Parades--Although all parades are fun, they are not created equal. Parades range from kids on bikes and little red wagon floats in area neighborhoods to the elaborate theme parades with floats that can hold up to 200 riders. Most parades have marching bands, jazz bands or flambeaux carriers interspersed with the floats. The best known theme parades are Babylon, Hermes, Bacchus, Endymion, Rex and Orpheus. Some of these groups are known as “super-krewes” and have celebrity grand marshals. Flambeaux carriers light the way during night parades with propane held torches. In the past, flambeaux carriers were traditionally white robed black men. If you are lucky enough, you may get to see a Mardi Gras Indian. These black men portray American Indians with elaborate beaded and feathered costumes.
King Cakes are an oval, sugared cinnamon coffee cake that contains a plastic baby inside. The person who “finds” the baby is crowned “king” and provides the next cake. Originally, a bean was baked inside the cake, but has been replaced by the plastic baby. King cakes are available beginning January 6, officially designated as the day the wise men “found” the baby Jesus.
Colors of Mardi Gras--Everything is purple, green and gold. Purple represents justice, green stands for faith, and gold signifies power. These colors have so much prominence in Louisiana, that LSU choose purple and gold as its colors and Tulane University choose green.
Doubloons are aluminum coins which can be minted in a variety of colors. Rex introduced the first doubloon in 1960 which had the krewes insignia on one side and the parades theme on the reverse. These coins have become quite valuable as collector items.
Check out some of these links for more info:
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Ring of Fire
