228 Culture, Identity, and Community: From Slavery to the Presentsuch as Carnival, are celebrated around the world in
places such as Rio de Janeiro, Bolivia, and the Caribbean.
In the early 1700s, Code Noir, an offi cial regulation of
conduct between slaves and slave owners, had both posi-
tive and negative consequences in New Orleans. One ben-
efi t of the code was the margin of freedom it provided for
slaves, which aided in the sanctioning of a public space
that would later be called Congo Square. By the mid 1730s,
Congo Square was a public market where African singing,
dancing, and costuming were commonplace occurrences.
Th ese artistic expressions were forerunners to and aided in
the establishment of African American Carnival traditions.
All social classes in New Orleans celebrated Mardi Gras
(French for “Fat Tuesday”), although for a brief period,
blacks were prohibited from masking because of fear that
the maskers might aid the king’s enemies in gaining access
to dances or might commit robberies.Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras is an annual celebration, historically held in
New Orleans, Louisiana, that draws tourists from around
the world; it is the culmination of 10 days of street festivi-
ties that include musical performances, dancing, costume
displaying, extravagant parades, and fancy balls. Mardi
Gras marks the last day of feasting prior to the beginning
of Lent. Th e holiday is always scheduled 47 days before
Easter Sunday and falls between February 3 and March 9.
Surrounding Mardi Gras are multicultural and boisterous
public spectacles that have maintained particular signifi -
cance and distinction in the communities of African Amer-
icans and Creoles of Color. Two of the most prominent
events associated with the merriment, and having deep
cultural and historical roots, are the parades of the Mardi
Gras Indians and the Zulu Krewe. As such, similar festivals,
Revelers beg for prized Zulu coconuts from Zulu Rascals member Benjamin Bennett, left , during the Krewe of Zulu Mardi Gras parade in
New Orleans, February 5, 2008. (AP/Wide World Photos)