The Exile of the Acadians and Their Resilient Faith

The roots of Cajun Mardi Gras stretch deep into history, back to the forced exile of the Acadians from Nova Scotia in the 18th century, known as Le Grand Dérangement. The recently released documentary Roots of Fire highlights this painful history, exploring how the Acadians, displaced and persecuted, found resilience in their faith, culture, and music. Their Catholic beliefs sustained them through hardship, and when they resettled in Louisiana,they wove those traditions into their daily lives, including Mardi Gras. The community-driven aspects of Cajun Mardi Gras—hospitality, celebration, and shared meals—are reflections of a people who have endured hardship and found strength in faith and unity. (Roots of Fire, 2023)

This history feels especially relevant today, as many individuals and families find themselves displaced due to shifts in migration policies and enforcement. Just as the Acadians clung to their faith and traditions to survive and rebuild, those facing uncertainty today can draw on the same hope and resilience. The Cajun spirit, formed through suffering and perseverance, is a testament to how faith and community can be a source of strength in difficult times.

The Cajun Mardi Gras: A Different Kind of Celebration

While the spectacle of Bourbon Street draws many visitors, rural South Louisiana tells a different Mardi Gras story. Here, the Courir de Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday Run) is a tradition that has been passed down for generations, especially in towns like Eunice, Mamou, and Church Point. Unlike the grand floats of the city, the Courir is an event of masked riders on horseback, running through the countryside, stopping at homes to dance, sing, and beg for ingredients to make a communal gumbo. It’s an experience that is equal parts humor and humility—riders are expected to entertain the homeowners, often through playful antics, before receiving their contribution (which usually includes a live chicken that must be caught before being added to the pot!). (Barry Ancelet, “Cajun and Creole Folktales,” 1994)

A Reflection of Catholic Tradition

At its core, Mardi Gras in all its forms is a Catholic celebration. The name itself—”Fat Tuesday”—reflects the day’s purpose: a final indulgence before the fasting and solemnity of Lent. The Courir de Mardi Gras, though playful and lighthearted, is rooted in the same themes. The begging and chasing of chickens may seem silly at first glance, but it echoes medieval European traditions of humility and dependence on community before the Lenten season of reflection and sacrifice. (Henry Glassie, “Passing the Time in Ballymenone: Culture and History of an Ulster Community,” 1982)

For Cajuns, the communal nature of the Courir is also deeply tied to faith. The journey from house to house, the willingness to take part in something larger than oneself, and the emphasis on sharing a meal at the end of the run all mirror Catholic teachings of fellowship and gratitude. By the time Ash Wednesday arrives, the revelry has served its purpose: we’ve laughed, we’ve danced, we’ve celebrated together, and now we turn our hearts toward Lent with a renewed spirit. (Carl Lindahl, “American Folktales: From the Collections of the Library of Congress,” 2004)

Faith in Celebration

Mardi Gras in South Louisiana reminds us that faith isn’t just practiced in pews or in quiet moments of prayer—it’s also found in the joy of community, in traditions that bring us together, and in the cultural expressions that deepen our spiritual lives. Whether we are catching beads in a parade or chasing chickens in a field, we are part of a long-standing rhythm of celebration and sacrifice, a rhythm that has shaped our ancestors and continues to shape us today. (Catherine Jones, “Rituals of Celebration: Honoring the Seasons of Life Through the Wheel of the Year,” 2007)

So, as we step into this Mardi Gras season, let’s embrace the joy and the reverence it brings. Let’s celebrate fully, love our communities well, and prepare our hearts for the Lenten journey ahead.

Laissez les bon temps rouler, cher!—and may they lead us closer to Christ!