Cultural Cloth on the Bayou

On Sunday I had a wonderful opportunity to be part of a test class for a Cultural Cloth Workshop taught by my friend Ann Flaherty. Ann has developed this class to help educate people on the diversity of various cultures. Our assignment was to represent a culture in a fiber-based artistic composition. Eight talented women had an enjoyable time in this no sew class, composing our beliefs about our given culture. We also shared a cultural potluck lunch with foods representing our given theme.

The cullture I chose was New Orleans. New Orleans, in my mind, is truly a melting pot. The foods, traditions, and life style truly portray the blended ethnic and religous backgrounds that formed this facinating city.

I remember in high school how one year our marching band (yeah, I was a band geek) was promised to attend Mardi Gras. Our participation never happened. I don’t know why, maybe we didn’t have the money. Or maybe the instructors didn’t want to deal with a bunch of Chicago Public School teenagers on a free-for-all in New Orleans. Anyway we never went.

Many years later, on a whim, I convinced my husband to visit this great city with me. For a short, but fun-filled, entertaining 4 days, we explored the city. My high school dream was realized. I was amazed at the juxtaposition of the cultures, both current and historical.

New Orleans is known for it party life, especially along Boubon Street. However, it is also know for its strong faith. Carnival is the celebration that most of us refer to as Mardi Gras. Technically, the culmination of the Carnival events is Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday. Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, is the day after Fat Tuesday. I view Carinval as a free-for-all celebration, where rompous sinning is allowed, because all will be forgiven during the fasting of Lent.

Many Haitians brought their VooDoo culture to the city. The Spanish, French, American Indian, and Cubans also had their cultural influences on the city. I remember standing on Canal Street and feeling the presence of the characters from “A Street Car Named Desire.” I was transported in time back to the 1950s.

I loved walking the city and experiencing all the sounds and smells, both good and bad. The music moved me. The human characters intrigued me. If it wasn’t for the oppressive heat and humidity of Louisiana, I would want to live there.

Several years after my visit, I watched the story of Hurricane Katrina unfold. I was heart-sick as I watched the the residents of this fine city suffer. So many lives were affected. So much history destroyed. The city may never be the same, but the culture will still be rich.

I look at the colors of Mardi Gras – purple represents justice; green is for faith; and gold stands for power — and realize the hues truly represent this fine city. May the colors stand true and continue to stand for the importance of this blended historical culture, justice, faith and power.