Episode 122: Cajun Country Carnival

There are two principal ways of Carnival group ritual in Louisiana. One is the New Orleans style float parade with bands, marching groups and maskers flinging throws from floats. And the other is the Cajun style Courir de Mardi Gras in which mounted riders and runners go different places begging ingredient for a gumbo. Both have their own indigenous music and traditions.

Dixie Poche joins Errol Laborde, executive editor of Louisiana Life, along with podcast producer Kelly Massicot to talk about her new book “Cajun Mardi Gras: Chasing Chickens and Making Gumbo.” Learn how different communities along the Cajun prairie have different costume elements including cone-shaped hats and masks made from screens. We’ll also answer the question, which town is the epicenter of the Courir culture?

Original photo from Dixie Poche