When the colors purple, green and gold begin to pop up around the city, you know it is time for one of Louisiana’s largest celebrations of the year, carnival. Different traditions of carnival are celebrated around Louisiana as well as around the world.
Sayuri Conte, nursing sophomore from Brazil, said in her country samba schools from around the country prepare all year by writing and singing a song related to a certain theme. Each school sings and dances to the song.
Each samba school is judged and compete similar to a football game and performs by singing and dancing for 80 minutes.
People from around the world travel to places like Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to celebrate Carnaval, Conte said. During the celebation the street is closed, and people from around the world are allowed to buy tickets to attend Carnaval. Tickets range from $100 to $900.
Some people who choose not to go to the Carnaval performance can participate in street Carnaval, which includes drinking and music.
Luciana Soares, assistant professor of piano from Brazil, has been to Mardi Gras in New Orleans several times and enjoyed it very much.
“Both events are vibrant, full of energy, color and rhythms,” said Soares. “They share the characteristic of being public celebrations, with parades and colorful costumes.”
Conte said the costumes of people in Brazil for Carnaval sometimes consist of painting their naked bodies; however, showing nipples or pubic areas is not allowed.
Conte said she has never experienced Mardi Gras in Louisiana but has heard many stories about the celebrations in New Orleans.
She said the carnival in Louisiana very wild and not as traditional, but she looks forward to experiencing it.
“We usually think of Carnaval as a time to forget all of our problems, let go of any worries and just have fun,” Soares said.
In parts of the world a little closer to Thibodaux, such as Gheens, there are some traditions that may seem unorthodox even to the neighboring cities.
Matthew Autin, social studies education junior from Gheens, said most people from Gheens begin Mardi Gras morning by watching the Mardi Gras parade.
After the parade runs, local people, who are called Mardi Gras, wear costumes and masks and travel down the Gheens road with sticks and whip people.
Kristen Toups, management senior from Gheens, said in order for you not to be whipped by the Mardi Gras, you have to get on your knees and say “pardon,” which means pardon me in French.
Dray Rivet Jr., freshmen from Gheens, said the Mardi Gras wear costumes and masks so no one knows who they are until they are all unmasked at the end of the day.
Rivet said in order to become a Mardi Gras, one must be at least 16 years old and have gotten hit by all the other Mardi Gras.
“I know it seems really stupid that you get whipped, but it’s fun,” Toups said.
The advice for people who have never experienced Gheen’s Mardi Gras is not to run because the Mardi Gras will hit you harder, Rivet said.
“It’s fun. Y’all should come and see it,” Rivet said.
