Students learned that Mardi Gras, sometimes referred to as Shrove Tuesday or Carnival, is much more than colorful beads through celebration of the holiday last night at the French House.

Mardi Gras, which is French for “Fat Tuesday,” is traditionally celebrated the day before the Catholic observance of Ash Wednesday. Roman Catholic communities in Europe and the Americas celebrate Mardi Gras in various ways.

“Mardi Gras has a long history, as it comes from the medieval times,” Korine Henault, French House mother, said. “It (Mardi Gras) is a chance for everyone to party, eat and drink as much as they can before the fasting time of Lent.”

“It’s (Mardi Gras) like the one big last hurrah before the period of Lent,” Deborah Schocket, Assistant Professor of Romance Languages, said. “However in New Orleans, the tradition goes from the day the kings would go to visit Jesus, up until now.”

The Mardi Gras celebration, also attended by German students who provided additional ethnic foods, featured a King cake, or Galette, a traditional French necessity for Mardi Gras.

This specialty cake, containing a baby figurine, or a bean in France, is traditionally served 12 days after Christmas.

“After the cake is cut and served to everyone, the person who has the item is supposed to throw the next party,” Schocket said. “Parties (traditionally) continue for weeks building up to Ash Wednesday.”

The carnival season, marked by parades with floats, pageants, and costumes, also maintains Cajun traditions.

The Cajun ethnic group, which adopted French culture after refugees settled in Louisiana in the 18th century, contributed many foods to the traditions known today of Mardi Gras.