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Most people may think of beads and flamboyant parades when they imagine Mardi Gras but  in southwestern Lousiana, in a region known as Acadiana, Mardi Gras celebrations look dramtically different. This celebration is officially known as, Courir de Mardi Gras or Mardi Gras Run. This celebration includes dressing in colorful  costumes, begging neighbors for food, and a real live chicken chase. The festivities originated in 17 th century France as a means to taunt the wealthy and beg for food. The tradition followed Acadiana settlers to Louisiana after they were exiled from Novia Scotia during the French-Acadian war. These settlers brought this traditon with them and share it with new generations.

Photo by Laura Gerdes Colligan

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There is an actual run, well more like very intoxicated foot parade, involved. Particpants are members of local Mardi Gras Chapters. Chapters in this case are local societies that organize on the events of Cajun Mardi Gras. Each Chapter goes door to door dressed in costumes, and performs in exchange for food or money. The food is used toward a communal meal called the fete of begging, or feast of begging. The run includes a literal chicken chase, so is sometimes reffered to as the chicken run or chicken race. Each Chapter is assigned a Capitan or Capitaine, who is expected to maintain order and lead the group on the secretly arranged route. Initially captains and leaders were only allowed to be white men but today people of color and women are granted equal opportunities. The group has strict guidelines and traditions the captain is responsible for enforcing. Captain’s typically lead the group on horseback, wear a cape, carry a flag and even use a whip. The whip is mostly for show, no one but the chicken is usually injured.

Photo by Lauren Smith

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The multi-colored costumes participants wear today come from tradition carried over from medieval France. People would dress in costume so not to be recognized. Most of the participants were extremely poor and would sew unmatching fabrics to make a costume. They would taunt or tease weathly households when they refused to give them food or money. They may even antagonize law officers.
(added on 12/02/20 in response to discussion question)

Photo by Bryan Tarnowski

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The Chicken run, also known as the chicken race or chicken chase, is especially competive. The chicken is considered the prize of the Courir de Mardi Gras. Chapters typically take winning very seriously and try to hold on to their tiltle as champion each year.  Particpating is considered a rite of passage for many young women and men. To give you an idea of how serious some take it heres a quote one one Co-Capitaine. "If the chicken runs on top of somebody’s house, they’re gonna run on top of that house to catch the chicken. They’ll go across 30 acres and catch it. If it goes up a tree, they’re gonna climb that tree and catch that chicken. They’re not gonna stop until that chicken is caught.”

-Todd Richard, Co-Capitaine of the Church Point Mardi Gras

Photo by Scott Clause

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Music is an integral compomet of the Mardi Gras Run. A performance consists of masked dancing and singing. Revelers sing the traditional Mardi gras song, “La Danse de Mardi Gras.” Each chapter typically has some version of their own band. The Cajun bands will play with traditional Cajun instruments such as; a wash board, fiddle, and accordion.

Photo by William Widmer

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The chapters meet at a designated area to drop supplies they have gathered. The revelers would gather all the ingredients, including the chicken, for a communal feast, known as the fete of begging. Traditionally the meal prepared is gumbo.

Photo by Bryan Tarnowski

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You may be thinking, wow how did I not know about this? Well until recently, communities did not allow non-locals to participate in Courir de Mardi Gras. It is traditionally very secretive but slowly the exclusive chapters are allowing outsiders in. Although not as reknown as the New Orleans Mardi Gras festival, Courir de Courir is a crucial part of Lousiana culture.

Photo by Tee-Mamou Iota Mardi Gras Folklife Festival

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I am including two videos for anyone who may be interested in learning more about Cajun Mardi Gras. The second one is a clip of Anthony Bourdains visit. Graphic warning- the video includes the chicken chase and there is some rough handling of the chickens that may be hard for some to watch.

Interesting fact about this video, some of my family members make an appearance around 46 seconds in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nErTddCxwB4

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Chasing the Chicken - an old-fashioned Cajun Mardi Gras

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Anthony Bourdian attends Cajun Mardi Gras

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Anthony Bourdian attends Cajun Mardi Gras

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bourdain agreed to attend cajun mardi gras - cnn video

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Bourdain agreed to attend Cajun Mardi Gras - CNN Video

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On this week's episode of Parts Unknown, Bourdain travels to southwest Louisiana to experience a 'Cajun Mardi Gras.' Watch Parts Unknown Sundays at 9PM ET/PT on CNN.

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Gerdes Colligan, Laura. Photograph of Revelers on Horses, 04 Mar. 2014, www.blog.nationalgeographic.org/2014/03/04/mardi-gras-from-louisianas-cajun-country/. Accessed 01 Decemeber 2010.

Smith, Lauren. Photograph of Revelers Gathering Food for Fete of Begging, 13 Feb. 2020, www.instagram.com/p/BfKfPYHAvCM/?utm_source=ig_embed. Accessed 01 Decemeber 2010.

Tarnowski, Bryan. "Cajun Mardi Gras", 01 Jun. 2017,
www.bryantarnowski.com/Cajun-Mardi-Gras. Accessed 01 Decemeber 2010.

Tee-Mamou Iota Mardi Gras Folklife Festival. Photograph of Revelers in the Parade.  03 Mar 2019, www.facebook.com/teemamouiotamardigras/photos/a.448457795259922/1847215868717434. Accessed 01 Decemeber 2010.

Widmer, William. Photograph of Musicans at Grave Site Playing Traditional Music,   21 Feb. 2015, www.projects.aljazeera.com/2015/02/cajun-mardi-gras/. Accessed 01 Decemeber 2010.