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Iota News
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Arn B
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Mar 11, 2006 19:09 PST
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Subject: Iota News
The following article was in the Iota News after Mardi Gras:
THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED
It was a dreary Saturday morning with rain pelting against the
windshield as I headed north on Highway 91. I turned onto Grey Fox
Road and pulled over near the Ellis Cart home. As I watched down the
road I had just traveled, there came a sight that brought my heart to
my throat. If I could have taken that Acadia Parish Sheriff's car
with the flashing lights and just lifted it into space, the sight that
follwed would have taken me back a hundred years. I can do no justice
in trying to describe the sight before my eyes. The most beautifully
colored costumes the riders were wearing as they drove their trusty
steeds through the rain and midst and cold was a sight not easily
forgotten. This entourage of riders belonged to the LeJeune Cove
Couriers de Mardi Gras. This parade of riders gave me a feeling of
great pride that this tradition was brought back to this community; it
gave me great humility knowing the history of this Cajun type of Mardi
Gras - when men dressed in costumes to be someone they were not so
they were unrecognizeable as they went about the countryside begging
for food for their families. We must remember that this holiday comes
near the end of winter when food was scarce and times were hard. Men
dressed in costumes that hid their identity. All wore masks and
screen was abundant and cheap. Masks were easily constructed adding
noses of all sorts, eyes and mouths. Some men dressed as women.
Costumes were colorful, because scraps of material left over from the
home's sewing was used to make costumes. We often saw burlap used
because that was plentiful too. Today, the construction of these
colorful costumes has become an art and several people in this
community are well known for their craftsmanship.
Another feeling this awesome parade brought to me was great respect
for those of the LeJeune Cove community who revived this tradition.
The LeJeune Cove Mardi Gras is not new. It existed for many years
until it died away 40 or 50 years ago. I'm not familiar with the
whole history of it, but I know that it was one of the bigger crews to
run the countryside. I would assume that the war in the 1940's
probably had something to do with the falling out of this crew. But
whatever the reasons, the LeJeune Cove Mardi Gras is back! I'm not
going to name names because as usual I know I will forget someone, but
several people in this little community had the foresight and the
determination to bring this tradition back. And what a comeback it
has been. This is their third year back in existence (I think; and
I'm sure someone will correct me if I am wrong) and they just become
more powerful each year. These innovative persons, both young and
old, have done a great service to not only their little community but
to all of the Iota community. I know there was a lot of work and
hours and hours of planning to accomplish this mission, but they
pulled it through and they should be very proud of their accomplishment.
Now back to the parade. Once the mounted revelers went by, we were
brought back to the present by the sight and sound of the heavy
pick-up trucks pulling trailers packed with more brightly costumed
runners. This crew is also accompanied by musicians who play at each
stop, and more cars, trucks, and SUV's than you care to count. They
all bravely weathered the rain as they descended upon the Cart
property. They perform their chant and dance with the women and beg
for their "tee cinq sous" as they work their way through the crowds.
By this time it is mid-morning and hunger starts to set in, but
Phyllis always comes through with heavily sugared beignets and coffee
for those Mardi Gras and followers who want to partake.
As I worked my way around to those riders who were holding on to the
horses, I snapped a couple of pictures and one of the riders hollered
my name and asked, "Miss Elaine, are we gonna be on your next Road
Less Traveled?" And I answered, "Yea, I think Grey Fox qualifies as a
Road Less Traveled, don't you?" He said, "Yes, maam, it sure does!"
But believe me, young man, you guys could be the basis for many stories!
To make the story end happily ever after, we have to come to the end
of the day, and move on to the dance that night at the lovely Pay E
Bas campground. The huge pavillion served as the perfect end to the
perfect day for these runners. All day they had braved the rains,
gone home and wahsed and dried costumes, and reunited that night to do
some more entertaining. Thanks to Clyde and Linda Hebert for allowing
their campground to serve this wonderful crew. The band was great
(The Pine Leaf Boys), the crowd was great and I think this is the
beginning of a great new tradition too.
Once again, I am so very pround of these guys and am already looking
forward to next year. It is a wonderful way to spend my Saturday
before Mardi Gras Day. It allows me the opportunity to unwind and
relax and be with my family before our busy day at the Tee Mamou-Iota
Folklife Festival.
See you next week on the Road Less Traveled.
Elaine Chatagnier
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Arn
http://www.arnb.org
In some parts of the world my behavior is considered to be normal
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