“What we fight for every day is to keep this tradition alive. You won’t see a bead at one of these Mardi Gras cause we’re traditional Mardi Gras,” said reveler Jude Burton.

 

Revelers in the Tee Mamou-Iota Courir de Mardi Gras must wear traditional costumes and masks, which include the colorful and fringed Mardi Gras suits topped by the tall, cone-shaped hat called a capuchon. 

 

The attire dates back to Medieval times and is meant as a mockery of the nobility.

 

The day begins with revelers gathering to sing their traditional chant in French. 

Once the song is completed, the “Mardi Gras” begin dancing with any available ladies and begging for loose change.

 

 The men then head to a field to chase chickens, which are traditionally used that evening for their dinner before Lent begins.

 

 Reveler John MCcrory said the most important thing for them is to make sure that these traditions are passed on through generations. 

“We try to put this on the younger Mardi Gras so they can remember it cause they think it’s a good time and it obviously is, but that history is what keeps us together,” he said. 

 

And although at first glance it may seem a bit chaotic, in reality ,there’s a system of rules to keep everything under control, participants say.