The King Cake, a beloved staple of Mardi Gras celebrations in Louisiana, has a history as colorful and vibrant as its sugary exterior. This sweet treat, deeply rooted in European traditions, has evolved into a symbol of Louisiana’s cultural heritage and festive spirit. Origins and History of the King Cake The King Cake tradition can be traced back to European celebrations of Epiphany, also known as Three Kings Day or Twelfth Night. This Christian holiday, observed on January 6th, commemorates the visit of the three wise men to the baby Jesus. In medieval Europe, elaborate feasts were held on this day, featuring a special cake that contained a bean or coin. Epiphany was widely celebrated in Europe, and French settlers brought this tradition to Louisiana in the 18th century. Over time, the King Cake became intertwined with the Louisiana’s Mardi […]
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Poverty Point State Historic Site on UNESCO Nominee List
The U.S. Department of the Interior is nominating Poverty Point State Historic Site in northeast Louisiana for the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2013. The 3,500-year-old site is considered one of the most culturally significant American Indian sites in the U.S., and is already designated a National Historic Landmark, National Monument and Smithsonian Affiliate. Poverty Point is the largest, most complex U.S. archaeological site of its age. No other site in the country matched its size until 2,500 years later. In addition to its impressive size and design, the site is outstanding because of its widespread trade network. The site’s design is unlike any other site in the world, including a massive earthen complex, with five mounds (the largest in photo above), six concentric, C-shaped ridges and a large, flat plaza. Archaeologists believe Native Americans moved millions of basket-loads of […]
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I’m currently on a plane (yay inflight wi-fi), heading to Shreveport-Bossier for my first Mardi Gras celebration. When I was younger, the idea of partying and whooping it up at this quintessentially decadent holiday had great appeal with all the drinking, parades, and beads. Somewhere along the way to adulthood, the allure faded and the idea of a Mardi Gras celebration had more appeal in my mind that in my reality. At a recent travel event, however, I had the opportunity to meet and chat with some lovely people from the Shreveport-Bossier Convention & Tourist Bureau. I’ve never been to Shreveport, but they shared the knowledge and enthusiasm about their area, and convinced me that Mardi Gras there was just as much fun, while still being primarily family friendly. Sure, there were still some of the traditional activities – parades, […]
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