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Writer's pictureJames C French

Mardi-Gras Memories

Being from South Louisiana, cultural traditions run deep. Like really deep. My family has been in the area since the seventeenth century. Most of those traditions involve your family or your neighbors and mostly involve music, food and a good time. After now living in Los Angeles as a product photographer, being a transplant means removing yourself from those deep seeded traditions and missing out on those events, one of those being Mardi-Gras. For those that don't know, Mardi-Gras and its festivities lead up to the days before Lent, which starts on Ash Wednesday. Lent lasts 40 days, so Mardi-Gras serves as a time to get all the revelry and debauchery out of your system before. There are two different types: One has beads, balls, floats and parades that everyone knows and then the other; Country Mardi-Gras or what is called the Courir de Mardi Gras. We get even more wild at those, usually involving alcohol, chasing chickens, bragging rights and making a complete ass of yourself. The moment I picked up a camera, I've been photographing these events. Being young and curious about the world, it mystified me and this was one of the only times of the year where people would let loose and do things they wouldn't usually do. This of-course made for great photos over the years....Enjoy these Mardi-Gras Memories


Mardi gras women with iphone

Mardi Gras woman dancing alone

Mardi gras man dancing alone


patriotic mardi gras queen lady with american flag

Courir de Mardi Gras group

Courir with chicken celebrating

Courir de Mardi Gras climbing up a greasy pole to catch a hen

Courir de Mardi Gras riding a horse in the rain in Eunice, LA

Courir de Mardi Gras with chicken looking intimidating



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