KING CAKES

The season of Carnival (which some call the season of Epiphany) ushers in the practice of offering a king cake at parties and gatherings in south Louisiana. The king cake or gateau du roi is a tradition associated with the celebration of feast of the Epiphany in south Louisiana, French Canada, and France. The local cake is actually a loaf twisted into a circle and then iced and sprinkled with sugar colored purple, green, and gold, the official colors of Mardi Gras.

At king cake gatherings, whoever gets the small baby Jesus hidden somewhere in the cake must provide the king cake at the next scheduled gathering. The bakers no longer put the baby in the cake because of concerns about litigation by people who choke on it, swallow it, or break a tooth. The buyer assumes the liability of putting the baby in the cake...or not.

The funniest commentary I've seen on the baby as choking or swallowing hazard is from blogger Blondius Maximus.

THE REVELRY BEGINS WITH PHUNNY PHORTY PHELLOWS

 

The costumed and masked krewe assembled on Twelfth Night, January 6, 2012 (Sunday) at the Willow Street Car Barn (map) at 6:30pm. At 7pm sharp, the Phunny Phorty Phellows boarded the streetcar and began their ride to "Herarld the Arrival of Carnival" down the St. Charles Ave. Streetcar Line.

All were invited to come see the PPP off beginning at 6:30, when the group started to gather. Of course Storyville Stompers were there with us.

The Phellows are an historic Mardi Gras organization that first took to the streets 1878 through 1898. They were known for their satirical parades and today¹s krewe members’ costumes often reflect topical themes. The group was revived in 1981.

The people in New Orleans don't get a break between Christmas season and Carnival season.  The party goes on until Lent.  Where I live, we don't rush into Carnival partying as quickly, but the custom of sharing king cakes starts tomorrow.