Krewes organize Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans and other Gulf Coast cities. The Mistick Krewe of Comus created the first krewe and established traditions. Membership is limited and involves building floats, participating in parades, and throwing items to onlookers.
A krewe is a group of people who are responsible for organizing a parade during the Carnival season. While there are Carnival celebrations around the world, the word krewe was originally coined by the Comus Organization in 1857 and specifically refers to the Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans, Louisiana. With the popularity of Mardi Gras spreading across the Mississippi Gulf Coast of the United States, krewes now exist in many other Gulf Coast cities. It’s important to understand a bit of Mardi Gras history to understand how the krewe were developed.
New Orleans Mardi Gras began in the early 19th century and was influenced by the annual French tradition of pre-Lent masquerade balls that took place in the late 19th century. When the Spanish gained control of New Orleans, they put out read these balls. After New Orleans became an American city, balls were eventually reinstated and street masking was permitted a short time later. The masqueraders paraded on foot, in carriages, and on horseback, and their violence was the cause of severe public aversion to New Orleans’ Mardi Gras celebration.
A group of six New Orleans residents, eager to prove that Mardi Gras could be a safe and beautiful celebration, formed a secret carnival society called the Mistick Krewe of Comus. After coining the word krewe, Comus created many new Mardi Gras traditions that are still practiced today. Once a krewe is established, they must choose a mythological namesake, decide on a theme for their parade, and host a ball following their parade.
Individuals can become part of a krewe in a number of ways. Many krewe limit membership to those with a previous family member who was a part of the krewe or belong to an exclusive krewe-affiliated organization. Other krewes charge annual dues, and membership is determined by who can afford the price. These fees or dues can range from $20 US dollars per person for a small krewe to thousands of dollars for an elite large krewe.
Krewe members have many responsibilities. First, most krewes have some sort of Mardi Gras parade float, which is built and decorated by the members. Larger and more expensive krewes usually pay professionals for these services. Members of the krewe participate as chariot riders during the parade by dressing up in costume and/or throwing beads at onlookers. Krewe members are financially responsible for any items they throw out of the wagons, such as beads, candy, and even coconuts.
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