Every place and culture has at least one type of ritual, but New Orleans is just THAT place. I honestly cannot put it into words. What do YOU think of when you hear New Orleans? Do you think of the food, the streets filled with people, or the famous music that is said to be played far into the night?
After thinking about those, consider the amount of people that go to NO yearly. What do they go for? Mardi Gras. If you don't know what that is, basically it is a Catholic holiday celebrated on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday where people eat extravagant foods before the Lenten sacrifices and fasting.
On top of that, what is Mardi Gras in NO? Close your eyes, not actually, but imagine streets full of people with bright and beautiful clothes. Masks and beads jangle from guests who are fully decorated and are absolutely "bumpin'" too good ol' NO jazz. A thick savory aroma of gumbo and jambalaya wafts through the air and the sounds of people having the time of their lives are heard. If all of your senses aren't already at their max, imagine the warm, dense environment of hot Louisiana.
Im going to be honest, I have no idea how people do it. Is it the alcohol? The People? The Clothes? The MUSIC? What is it that draws people in?
Yeah, yeah, I get what your thinking. This is a blog about rituals, do you know what another ritual can consist of, or should I even say what most rituals are a part of. Cults. New Orleans is a cult. However not all cults are "evil or bad." New Orleans has many rituals besides Mardi Gras, the have their own types of "Jazz Funerals" and "Cajun Birthday Bonanzas." Theres just something that is so appealing about the atmosphere that it lures people in. I have never heard anyone say that they never want to go, much less the people who have been have never said they don't want to go back.
In my honest opinion I feel like the heavy hitting point, besides the food of course, is probably the music. In the ritual of Mardi Gras the people celebrate in the street as men and woman play jazz and funky music for the many people partying in the street. Their instruments are primarily brass instruments, trumpet and trombones, along with some winds like the saxophone family. These combinations of instruments is typical jazz but they are fantastic party instruments. They're loud and pretty portable so it's easy for the people of New Orleans to dance AND play. There's just something about the STANK a saxophone can make that gets people absolutely turnt and hypnotized into partying the night away.
I don't even want to talk about the voodoo section of New Orleans...
Ive been to New Orleans, its insane. Thats the best way to put it. We went in the dead middle of summer, it was so hot, but the atmosphere was unforgettable. The food, the music, the culture. Its huge blend of African and French traditions. There is beauty, however the poverty was heartbreaking. Seeing people strung out on drugs, laying in the street, sleeping where they can. It's a rough area, but incredibly historic. I highly recommend going there, but I don't see myself going back unless I am playing music down there.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely love to celebrate in New Orleans after reading your blog. Never in my 20 almost 21 years of being alive did I ever picture a funeral as "jazzy," but I think that is actually a really fun concept. We should definitely propose a class trip to New Orleans :)
ReplyDeleteHey Jaimee! I really love the topic you chose, it is different and unique. I have never been to New Orleans but I would love to go one day to experience the culture for myself. Mardi Gras is definitely on my bucket list.
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