Attending a Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans can be a similar experience to attending a music festival due to the parallel traditions such as bead trading, incredible costumes, and sense of community.
We decided to take a look at the history behind both Mardi Gras and music festivals to parallel their similarities.
What we found will give you pride in what we are a part of.
Mobile, Alabama was the first location of the first American Mardi Gras celebration more than 300 years ago in 1703. Mardi Gras, however, was nothing back then compared to what it is now.
Today, Mardi Gras is filled with two months of celebration ending in a massive parade of the krewes (non-profit organizations that design the event).
This celebration mirrors the carnival-esque activities such as acrobatic performances and rides presented in vibrant color at music festivals.
The parallels between Mardi Gras and EDM festivals extends beyond the overall pageantry of the events.
Torches – or “flambeaux” in French – were lit along the pathways of the parades to add romance and excitement.
The flambeaux are a reflection of the fire spinners and flame displays many music festivals design to add to their mystique.
Krewe members also created a phenomenon known as “throws” – and it’s exactly what it sounds like. Members on the floats would choose items such as beads and throw them into the crowd; similar to how the EDM community exchanges beads. It’s kind of like getting to take a piece of the festival or that Mardi Gras krewe with you when you leave.
Another incredible Mardi Gras tradition are the Mardi Gras Indians.
The African-American community created this tradition to celebrate the efforts of the Native Americans aiding in their escape from slavery.
This tradition is filled with arts and culture as you’ve never seen it before. Just like electronic dance music festivals, Mardi Gras reaches back to a time where we were all primitive and creative.
Extravagant costumes and colors surround the Mardi Gras Indians, much like the costumes of Burning Man.
In the old days, the Mardi Gras Indians were violent in order to “settle scores.” Today, it is a friendly environment where unity and uniqueness is proudly recognized by each “tribe.”
Individuality and unity are also major themes instilled in music festival culture around the world.
There is also much meaning behind the three colors of Mardi Gras: purple for justice, green for faith, and gold for power – much like we have our own motto and meaning behind it.
So, what does all of this have to do with EDM or music festivals?
Mardi Gras is not only a celebration of power or wealth, but it is also a celebration of the arts, culture, music, food and drink.
It is kind of like its own music festival in a way.
The history of Mardi Gras and music festivals is an intriguing comparison.
Before Mardi Gras was even a thought, the first “music festivals” were held during the Pythian Games of the 6th century.
Most of these festivals were considered competitions between musicians and sports. Later, during the Middle Ages, competitions evolved into showcases specifically for musicians.
The Newport Jazz Festival was one of the first recorded music festivals of the 20th century beginning in 1954.
Like the Newport Jazz Festival, Mardi Gras (and New Orleans in general) holds jazz near and dear to its heart.
New Orleans is the birth place of jazz music, so the connection between these two is undeniable.
The Newport Folk Festival was the second ever recorded US music festival taking place in 1959.
It was designed as a counterpart to the Newport Jazz Festival to include music lovers of all kinds.
After Newport Folk Fest was the Monterey Pop Festival which began in 1967.
Including artists like The Who, Jimi Hendrix, and Janis Joplin, the Monterey Pop Festival was considered the first and largest rock festival of its kind leading up to Woodstock Music and Arts Festival.
Held in 1969, Woodstock paid homage to the hippie and free love movements combatting the Vietnam War, providing a template for some of the world’s largest modern music festivals including Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, and Coachella.
What is the common denominator of all of this information?
Throughout history, music festivals and Mardi Gras have provided a reason to celebrate art, music, culture, and community.
Festivals are ways to bring people of all kinds together under one voice plus bringing mass amounts of revenue to the cities and states in which they are held.
To compare EDM festivals of today to Mardi Gras, just look at the costumes and other traditions such as the throws.
Like throws, we too trade beads as kandi and, like the items used in throws, kandi has a personal meaning to each exchange.
The krewes have special items they pick out themselves to represent who they are. Ravers around the world use kandi in the same way.
We design intricate masks, necklaces, bracelets – doubles, singles, cuffs, 3D pieces and more. Each has a unique design and meaning to the person who makes it.
Trading kandi is a way of showing respect to those around us in every day life and at music festivals.
Costumes are another similarity between music festivals and Mardi Gras.
Whether at EDM festivals or Mardi Gras, costumes signify individuality, festivity, and creativity.
Another notable similarity is the use of flambeaux in Mardi Gras and the fire dancers of music festivals today. Traceable back to our tribal ancestors, both are used are alluring and captivating expressions of art.
The final comparison between Mardi Gras and EDM festivals is one of the most apparent.
That similarity is between the meaning behind the colors of Mardi Gras and the four letters of PLUR.
The three symbolic colors of Mardi Gras stand for justice, faith, and power while the four letters of PLUR stand for peace, love, unity, and respect.
These might not appear to be anything alike, but if you really sit and ponder the definitions of each of aforementioned words, the likeness can be clearly seen.
Power doesn’t have to mean that you’re a powerful person or hold power over others. It can simply mean having the power within yourself to be awesome.
Learning the values of peace, love, unity, and respect will teach you to find power within yourself which in turn will create more faith in your life along with the expression of true human justice.
Traditions, live art displays, music performances, food from all over the world, costumes from different tribes, cultures, and personalities are exhibited during Mardi Gras and most every music festival around the world.
Truths are expressed, taught, and learned.
Every year beginning in January, thousands from across the globe begin the celebration on the road to Mardi Gras; and every summer (and even throughout the year), millions gather together in places hidden and exposed to celebrate the greatest musicians and artists in history.
To parallel these two, although designed for different purposes, creates an image unlike any other.
It is community that binds music festivals and Mardi Gras together.
The expression of unity as humans is so incredibly important in maintaining a peaceful mind, body, and world.
The celebration of culture and individuality is equally important in maintaining peace.
Music ties all of this together. Being yourself is what life is about, but connecting to others on a deep, meaningful, creative level sets the stage for a beautiful existence.
We hope you all enjoyed your Mardi Gras 2015 celebration!
Get ready for this summer, because this year’s array of music festivals is likely to blow your mind. Find one (or one hundred) that you feel can move you into a better state of enlightenment and dive in!
There’s so much world out there to discover and explore.
You just might find that light and love will exude from you through your experience with the art and culture of a music festival.
Also, be sure to stay tuned in to Uphoric TV this festival season to view all the best interviews, behind the scenes footage, live streaming of events and more!
Looking for the best of both worlds? The Buku Music & Art Project returns to New Orleans Friday, March 13 through Saturday, March 14.
We hope to see you there!
