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We attended another carnival parade, that of the Krewe de Vieux. Krewes generally contain multiple sub-krewes—so here we saw the Krewe of Underwear, the Krewe de Mishigas, and the Kazoozie Floozies, among others. Below are a lot of random images; they probably make more sense if one understands what is happening in New Orleans culture or politics. Some themes, however, require no explanation.
We arrived in New Orleans during Carnival, the buildup to Mardi Gras. Everything was gold, purple, and green, even the Nepali elephant pants of the type we used to see in Kathmandu.1 (The photo is a bit fuzzy because I dropped my camera at the Stax Museum and the filter shattered; I replaced it in New Orleans but the camera store in New Orleans accidently sold me a “fogglizer” filter, which I didn’t realize until later that morning.) Later that evening, we came across our first Carnival parade, although it turns out to have been for a corporate party—as soon as the parade cleared a bar in the middle of the block, the groups dispersed.
We had a better Carnival experience later that week, albeit with very shaky iPhone capture.
Next: more new Orleans stuff.
with the coming of easter, it is carnival season in greece, and we went to a carnival parade this past weekend. regarding carnival, wikipedia says:
carnival typically involves a public celebration and/or parade combining some elements of a circus, masks and public street party. people wear masks and costumes during many such celebrations, allowing them to lose their everyday individuality and experience a heightened sense of social unity. excessive consumption of alcohol, meat, and other foods proscribed during lent is extremely common. other common features of carnival include mock battles such as food fights; social satire and mockery of authorities; the grotesque body displaying exaggerated features especially large noses, bellies, mouths, and phalli or elements of animal bodies; abusive language and degrading acts; depictions of disease and gleeful death; and a general reversal of everyday rules and norms.
shocking business!
as it happened, while there was some consumption of alcohol, the parade was carefree and family-friendly, with some impressive costumes (including a woman dressed as a contortionist on a table, complete with portable tabletop). we were accompanied through the streets by various troupes of musicians, including a brazilian percussion combo and a team of people playing hand drums; and then, about halfway through the event, the paraders piled into a courtyard where we were met by an even larger brazilian drum club and an accompanying dance troupe – a total surprise, and absolutely thrilling.
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