Although the American version of Mardi Gras is most often associated with New Orleans, its roots are actually in Mobile, Alabama. It was in Mobile that mystic societies, the forerunners of Mardi Gras krewes (pronounced “crews”), first began. These societies were called “mystic” because their membership was secret – and often “based in class, economic and racial groups.” Mystic societies and krewes are both Carnival organizations (“Carnival” being the festive season immediately before Lent) that “build colorful Carnival floats and create costumes around each year’s themes.”
Wikipedia also explains how Ye Mystick Krewe of Comus grew out of these traditions. Prior to the development of this krewe, New Orleans Carnival celebrations were irregular and mostly informal. In 1856, six New Orleans businessmen (who were formerly from Mobile, Alabama) organized a “secret society to observe Mardi Gras in a less crude fashion.” They named themselves “Ye Mystick Krewe of Comus.”
Comus who?
The answer lies with John Milton’s Comus (the actual title of which is - now take a deep breath – A Mask presented at Ludlow Castle 1634: on Michelmas night, before the right honorable John, Earl of Bridgewater, Viscount Brackley, Lord President of Wales, and one of His Majesty’s most privy council). If this title sounds a lot more stilted than today’s Mardi Gras ambiance, that’s because Milton’s puritanical agenda was to reign in the hoopla with which Comus (the ancient Greek god of “festivity,
revels and nocturnal dalliances”) is often associated.
Although people now refer to Milton’s masque (“a form of festive courtly entertainment which flourished in 16th and early 17th century Europe”) as simply “Comus” (shows where their minds are at) - the prim and proper heroine of the masque was actually (and aptly) named “the Lady.” It was she who resisted all of the
less-than-ethical advances of Comus. However, in true Miltonian fashion, her human efforts alone were not enough to save the day. It was grace, combined with her valiant and steadfast “works,” that ultimately preserved her purity. Perhaps this Lady will also provide a much-needed balance for today’s Comus-oriented Mardi Gras revelers.
Resources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krewe
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masque
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystic_society
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comus_(John_Milton)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mistick_Krewe_of_Comus
Copyright February 21, 2012 by Linda Van Slyke All Rights Reserved
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