Howard mapped the levels of lead in various parts of the city, and discovered that the majority of lead in the soil is located directly alongside the Mardi Gras parade routes , where krewes the revelers who ride on the floats toss plastic beads into the crowds.
By the time Mardi Gras is over, thousands of shiny necklaces litter the streets, and partiers have collectively produced roughly tons of waste — a concoction of puke, toxins and trash. Independent research on beads collected from New Orleans parades has found toxic levels of lead, bromine, arsenic, phthalate plasticizers, halogens, cadmium, chromium, mercury and chlorine on and inside the beads. From a sociological perspective, leisure, consumption and desire all interact to create a complex ecology of social behavior.
During the s and s in the United States, self-expression became the rage , with more and more people using their bodies to experience or communicate pleasure. Revelers in New Orleans started flashing each other in return for Mardi Gras beads at the same time the free love movement became popular in the U.
The culture of consumption and ethos of self-expression merged perfectly with the production of cheap plastic in China , which was used to manufacture disposable commodities. Americans could now instantly and cheaply express themselves, discard the objects and later replace them with new ones. When looking at the entire story — from the Middle East, to China, to New Orleans — a new picture comes into focus: a cycle of environmental degradation, worker exploitation and irreparable health consequences.
No one is spared; the child on the streets of New Orleans innocently sucking on his new necklace and young factory workers like Qui Bia are both exposed to the same neurotoxic chemicals.
In recent years, a company called Zombeads have created throws with organic, biodegradable ingredients — some of which are designed and manufactured locally in Louisiana.
What about going a step further and rewarding the factories that make these beads with tax breaks and federal and state subsidies, which would give them incentives to sustain operations, hire more people, pay them fair living wages, all while limiting environmental degradation? A scenario like this could reduce the rates of cancers caused by styrene, significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions and help create local manufacturing jobs in Louisiana.
French for the holiday known as Fat Tuesday , Mardi Gras is that special day for Christians to get all that "naughty" behavior out of their system before they head to church the very next day — likely hungover as hell — to mark Lent with Ash Wednesday. For those who observe Lent, Mardi Gras is a healthy way to exorcise to the devil inside. And one of the most infamous devilish traditions?
Flashing for beads on Bourbon Street. But when — and how exactly — did that supposed tradition begin? If they only knew what was to come. Of course, there are the floats, masks, and the Zulu coconuts which, if you score one at Mardi Gras, is pretty much like being handed a pound of hydrating gold. Probably the most well-known of the traditions is the throwing of beads from floats. For example, some local tour companies specialize in providing entertainment for children during Mardi Gras.
While parents are collecting beads in the Quarter, staff all trained in CPR and bonded will take their children for a ride on the St. There are cooking classes in which children create their own traditional "King Cake" with its purple, green and gold icing. And scavenger hunts or Mardi Gras trivia tours can be arranged for groups in the French Quarter. Families will also enjoy special programs at the Louisiana Children's Museum , where all Mardi Gras activities are included in the price of admission.
If your children have their hearts set on seeing some of the parades, some local hotels invite youngsters to watch from their private reviewing stands on St. Charles Avenue. Children get a great view of the parade, and when they need a break they can retire to the hotel's game room for some organized Mardi Gras fun.
Another great family outing is a dinner and jazz cruise on a paddlewheeler that takes you down the Mississippi River for a view of old plantations and properties. If time and budget constraints don't allow a trip to New Orleans this Mardi Gras season, involve the whole family in planning your own Mardi Gras party, complete with King Cakes and Mardi Gras crafts made with items you can find around the house! If you'd like to go to Mardi Gras next year, start planning now — there is a lot of good information on the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau Web site.
Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close. Mobile Newsletter chat close. Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe. Other Holidays. How Mardi Gras Works.
The Krewe of Orpheus parade gets underway. This is one of the best-known krewes, or social organizations, in New Orleans. What Does Mardi Gras Celebrate? Mardi Gras beads line a balcony in New Orleans. Mardi Gras was celebrated in that city as far back as the 18th century. Mardi Gras Around The World. A Mardi Gras Glossary " ". The King Cake is an oval, sugared cake iced in the Mardi Gras colors of green, gold and purple, with a plastic baby doll hidden inside.
Ball tableau ball - This is a masked party featuring, as entertainment, the performance of scenes representing a specific theme. Boeuf Gras - This is the fatted bull or ox and symbolizes the last meat eaten before the Lenten season of fasting the "live" version presented in the Rex parade was replaced in by a papier-mache version.
The Boeuf Gras is one of the most photographed sights at Mardi Gras. Captain - The leader of each Mardi Gras organization Court - The king, queen, maids and dukes of a Mardi Gras organization Doubloons - These are aluminum, coin-like objects bearing the krewe's insignia on one side and the parade's theme on the reverse. Doubloons were first introduced in and created by New Orleans artist H.
Alvin Sharpe. Doubloons are also minted and sold in. Favor - This is a personalized souvenir, given by organization members to friends attending the ball. Invitation - This is a non-transferable printed request for attendance at a Mardi Gras ball. Note: It is considered improper to call these "tickets. The person who finds the doll is crowned "king" and buys the next colorful cake. According to "Mardi Gras Guide" publisher Arthur Hardy, more than , King Cakes are sold each year in New Orleans during carnival season, and thousands more are ordered from special bakeries and shipped to celebrants around the country.
Krewe - This is the generic term for all carnival organizations and clubs in New Orleans. Greek, Roman and Egyptian mythology are the sources for nearly half the krewe names.
Some clubs are named after the neighborhoods through which they travel, while others are named after historical figures or places. Clubs are chartered as nonprofit entities and are financed by dues, by the sale of krewe-emblemed merchandise to its members and by fund-raising projects. Most Mardi Gras krewes are also involved in charity work.
From to , the day before Mardi Gras was celebrated by the arrival of King Rex aboard a steamboat. The custom was revived in Throws - These are inexpensive souvenirs tossed from floats since around by costumed and masked krewe members in response to traditional calls of, "Throw me something, mister!
0コメント