Lundi Gras

Lundi Gras

Lundi Gras-Precursor to Mardi Gras

The tradition of Rex, king of the New Orleans carnival, arriving by boat began in 1874, but the term "Lundi Gras" was NOT applied intil 1987 when the arrival was brought back as part of a series of river related events under the name of "Lundi Gras." Lundi Gras was the creation of journalist Errol Laborde. The event was staged with the cooperation of Riverwalk Marketplace and its then marketing director Carol Thistle Lentz. The events are detailed in Laborde's book, "Krewe: The Early New Orleans carnival from Comus to Zulu."

In 1874, 18 years after the beginning of modern Carnival celebrations in North America, Rex chose to have a grand arrival in New Orleans from the Mississippi River. Once on dry land, Rex and his royal court were placed in carriages and driven through the streets to City Hall. Therein, the mayor and various city officials would present King with the keys to the city and proclaim the rule of Rex in this mystical and temporary realm of Carnival. Typically, the proclamation decreed the beginning of Mardi Gras and Rex's reign at sunrise the following morning.

The Rex landing was a success, and quickly became a treasured part of the Carnival celebrations which was unique to New Orleans; no other country or parishes observed the Monday before Shrovetide. The landing continued until World War I stopped Carnival in New Orleans. When the parades again returned to the streets some two years later, the laanding had fallen by the wayside, a seeming casualty of 'the war to end all wars.' In 1971 the landing was recreated for one time only to celebrate Rex's centennial.The Rex landing was a success, and quickly became a treasured part of the Carnival celebrations which was unique to New Orleans; no other country or parishes observed the Monday before Shrovetide. The landing continued until World War I stopped Carnival in New Orleans. When the parades again returned to the streets some two years later, the laanding had fallen by the wayside, a seeming casualty of 'the war to end all wars.' In 1987, Rex once again made a grand arrival on the Riverfront at the foot of Canal Street but now with the phrase Lundi Gras attached to the events which would include concertts and fireworks. Lundi Gras has continued since, although the chronologgy of the term's usage in the common language of the New Orleans carnival is generally misunderstood. Lundi Gras (which refers to a grouip of New Orleans riverfront activities) is a relativley new rather than an old carnival custom.

"Sources:

Errol Laborde, "Krewe: The Early New Orleans Carnival From Comust to Zulu" 2007, Carnival Press.

Robert Tallant, "Mardi Gras" (Louisiana Edition) 1947, Doubleday & Co.

Perry Young, "The Mystick Krewe: Chronicles of Comus and his Kin" (1969 re-issue) Louisiana Heritage Press (#376 of 1,000)

Henri Schindler, "Mardi Gras: New Orleans" 1997, Flammarion

The Compleat Carnival Compendium & Mardi Gras Manual, online at carlnivale.theatricana.com"

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  • lundi — [ lœ̃di ] n. m. • XIIe; var. lunsdi 1119; lat. pop. °lunis (class. lunæ) dies « jour de la lune » ♦ Premier jour de la semaine, qui succède au dimanche. Le lundi de Pâques, de Pentecôte, le lendemain de ces fêtes. Venez lundi, le lundi qui vient …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • GRAS — ASSE. adj. Qui est formé de graisse, ou Qui est onctueux. Les parties grasses du corps. Matières grasses. Corps gras. L huile, le beurre, sont des substances grasses.   Il signifie plus ordinairement, Qui a beaucoup de graisse. Il est gros et… …   Dictionnaire de l'Academie Francaise, 7eme edition (1835)

  • GRAS, ASSE — adj. Qui est formé de graisse. Les parties grasses du corps. Substantivement, Le gras du jambon. Le gras du bras, de la jambe, L’endroit le plus charnu du bras, de la jambe. En termes de Chimie, Corps gras, Corps onctueux, solubles dans l’éther… …   Dictionnaire de l'Academie Francaise, 8eme edition (1935)

  • lundi — (lun di) s. m. Le second jour de la semaine.    Lundi gras, le lundi de la semaine où le carnaval finit.    Lundi saint, le lundi de la semaine sainte.    Populairement. Faire le lundi, ne pas travailler le lundi et se livrer aux amusements du… …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

  • LUNDI — s. m. Le second jour de la semaine. Nous nous verrons lundi prochain. On s assemble tous les lundis.   Lundi gras, Le lundi de la semaine où le carnaval finit. Lundi saint, Le lundi de la semaine sainte.  Pop., Faire le lundi, Continuer, le lundi …   Dictionnaire de l'Academie Francaise, 7eme edition (1835)

  • LUNDI — n. m. Le second jour de la semaine. Nous nous verrons lundi prochain. Ils se réunissent tous les lundis. Lundi gras, Le dernier lundi avant l’ouverture du carême. Lundi saint, Le lundi de la semaine sainte. Pop., Faire le lundi, se dit des… …   Dictionnaire de l'Academie Francaise, 8eme edition (1935)

  • gras — gras, grasse [ gra, gras ] adj. • cras XIIe; lat. crassus « épais », avec infl. probable de grossus « gros » I ♦ 1 ♦ Formé de graisse; de nature graisseuse. Matière, substance grasse. Chim. Corps gras : esters de la glycérine. ⇒ graisse; lipide.… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • gras — gras, asse (grâ, grâ s ) adj. 1°   Semblable, analogue à la graisse. L huile, le beurre sont des substances grasses. Les parties grasses du corps.    Terme de chimie. Corps gras, corps neutres, acides ou salins, solubles dans l éther et l alcool …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

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