The Sociocultural Anthropology of Mardi Gras
It has been said that a Scotchman has not seen the world until he has seen Edinburgh; and I think that I may say that an American has not seen the United States until he has seen Mardi-Gras in New Orleans.
~ Mark Twain ~
While you may not be reveling in New Orleans, you can learn more about the sociocultural customs of Mardi Gras (aka Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday, or Carnival) – check out some of these articles, books, and films available from the Georgia State University Library:
Films
- Snedeker, R., Watson, T., Independent Television Service., Palmetto Pictures (Firm)., & New Day Films. (2006). By invitation only. [Harriman, N.Y.]: New Day Films.
- Todd, S., Young, A., Archipelago Films., & Richter Productions. (1995). Cutting loose. New York, NY: Distributed by Richter Productions, Inc.
Articles
- Jankowiak, W., & White, C. (1999). Carnival on the clipboard: An ethnological study of New Orleans Mardi Gras. Ethnology, 38(4), 335-349.
- Sexton, R. L. (2001). Ritualized inebriation, violence, and social control in Cajun Mardi Gras. Anthropological Quarterly, 74(1), 28-38.
- Sexton, R. L. (1999). Cajun Mardi Gras: Cultural objectification and symbolic appropriation in a French tradition. Ethnology, 38(4), 297-313.
- Ware, C. E. (2001). Anything to act crazy: Cajun women and Mardi Gras disguise. The Journal of American Folklore, 114(452), 225-247.
Books
- Abrahams, R. D. (2006). Blues for New Orleans: Mardi Gras and America’s Creole soul. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.
- Gill, J. (1997). Lords of misrule: Mardi Gras and the politics of race in New Orleans. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi.
- Lindahl, C., & Ware, C. (1997). Cajun Mardi Gras masks. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi.
- Ware, C. (2007). Cajun women and Mardi Gras: Reading the rules backward. Urbana: University of Illinois Press.