Human Planet Explorer
Mardi Gras is French for 'Fat Tuesday' and rightly so. As the day before Ash Wednesday, it is the traditional day for Christians to eat rich foods before fasting through Lent. However, in some part of the world - such as Brazil and New Orleans - the term has now come to stand for revelry which might take place for several days or even weeks before Ash Wednesday.
Mardi Gras
New Orleans Mardi Gras
Stephen begins his journey in New Orleans during its busiest day of the year, Mardi Gras.
Stephen Fry begins his journey up the Mississippi on the streets of New Orleans during its busiest day of the year, Mardi Gras.
"Mardi Gras" (pron.: /ˈmɑrdiɡrɑː/), "Mardi Gras season", and "Carnival season", in English, refer to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after Epiphany and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday. Mardi gras is French for Fat Tuesday, referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which begins on Ash Wednesday. The day is sometimes referred to as Shrove Tuesday, from the word shrive, meaning "confess." Related popular practices are associated with celebrations before the fasting and religious obligations associated with the penitential season of Lent.
This entry is from Wikipedia, the user-contributed encyclopedia. If you find the content in the 'About' section factually incorrect, defamatory or highly offensive you can edit this article at Wikipedia.
BBC © 2013 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.