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Mardi Gras Trivia Quiz

There are lots of misconceptions about Mardi Gras... how much do you really know about it?

A multiple-choice quiz by CAngel05. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
CAngel05

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
29,719

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
6 / 15

Plays
1729

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. True or False: The first organised Mardi Gras celebration in America took place in New Orleans.

Answer: ((true or false))

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Question 2 of 15

2. Which of the following is not one of New Orleans' Mardi Gras colors? Hint

blue

purple

yellow

green

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Question 3 of 15

3. Which of the New Orleans Mardi Gras colors is not a Mobilian Mardi Gras color? Hint

blue

purple

green

yellow

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Question 4 of 15

4. What medieval tradition can Mardi Gras be traced back to? Hint

parading held in celebration of Lent

ordinary citizens dressing in costume to celebrate Lent

the throwing of trinkets by children to celebrate Lent

feasting before the arrival of Lent

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Question 5 of 15

5. What does the French expression 'Mardi Gras' literally translate to in English?

Answer: (Two Words)

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Question 6 of 15

6. What is the name of the first mystic society, created in 1830? Hint

Crewe of Comos

Cowbellion de Rakin Society

The Lost Cause Minstrels

Order of Myths

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Question 7 of 15

7. When did this original mystic society hold its parade? Hint

New Year's Eve

Christmas Eve

Mardi Gras Day

Easter Sunday

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Question 8 of 15

8. How did the Spanish add their touch to the French Mardi Gras? Hint

by holding lighted torch parades

by throwing woven Spanish dolls off of the floats

by changing the name to 'Martes Gordo'

by marching on a different day

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Question 9 of 15

9. Which of the following was New Orleans' first mystic society? Hint

Order of Inca

Crewe of Columbus

Comic Cowboys

Crewe of Comos

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Question 10 of 15

10. Which of the following individuals gained fame for reviving Mardi Gras after the Civil War? Hint

Joseph Cain

Daniel E. Huger

Michael Kraft

Ethel Hodgson

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Question 11 of 15

11. Which of the following societies did Joseph Cain found? Hint

Order of Myths

Strikers Independent Society

Crewe of Comos

Mystics of Time

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Question 12 of 15

12. What was the first black mystic society in Mobile? Hint

Knights of May Zulu Club

Colored Carnival Association

Order of Mammoths

Order of Doves

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Question 13 of 15

13. Which of the following was Mobile's first women's society? Hint

Order of Athena

Polka Dots

Le Krewe de Bienville

Mystical Ladies

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Question 14 of 15

14. What is Mardi Gras known as in the Christian calendar? Hint

Happy Tuesday

Ash Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday

Lent

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Question 15 of 15

15. What Mobilian mystic society rides aboard floats that are decorated with sarcastic remarks and drawings and rarely throws candy and trinkets? Hint

Order of Athena

Knights of Revelry

Comic Cowboys

Krewe of Goats

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. True or False: The first organised Mardi Gras celebration in America took place in New Orleans.

Answer: false

The first organised Mardi Gras celebration in America was in Mobile, Alabama, in 1703. Records indicate that Mardi Gras balls were being held in New Orleans by 1743, though the first official parade was held in 1857.

2. Which of the following is not one of New Orleans' Mardi Gras colors?

Answer: blue

Well that one shouldn't have been too difficult.

3. Which of the New Orleans Mardi Gras colors is not a Mobilian Mardi Gras color?

Answer: green

Mobile's Mardi Gras colors are yellow, symbolizing power, and purple, symbolizing justice. Green was added when Mardi Gras arrived in New Orleans.

4. What medieval tradition can Mardi Gras be traced back to?

Answer: feasting before the arrival of Lent

Mardi Gras day was the last day before Lent, when Catholics would give up a certain food until Easter. Therefore, they would faest the day before. Hence the translation of Mardi Gras in the next question...

5. What does the French expression 'Mardi Gras' literally translate to in English?

Answer: Fat Tuesday

It was called so because of the feasting that took place on this day.

6. What is the name of the first mystic society, created in 1830?

Answer: Cowbellion de Rakin Society

This society, under the leadership of Michael Kraft, took the streets of Mobile in 1830 after plundering local stores for rakes, hoes, and cowbells. It was the Cowbellion de Rakin Society who traveled to New Orleans in 1857 to begin its first mystic society.

7. When did this original mystic society hold its parade?

Answer: New Year's Eve

Though the Cowbellion de Rakin society marched the streets of Mobile on New Year's Eve, they are still considered the first mystic society and a predecessor of modern Mardi Gras.

8. How did the Spanish add their touch to the French Mardi Gras?

Answer: by holding lighted torch parades

Some mystic societies today still march by torchlight.

9. Which of the following was New Orleans' first mystic society?

Answer: Crewe of Comos

The Crewe of Comos used to parade at Mardi Gras in New Orleans, but gave up in the 1990s (although they still participate in "The Meeting of the Courts" to end the Carnival season). The other three societies mentioned hold parades in Mobile.

10. Which of the following individuals gained fame for reviving Mardi Gras after the Civil War?

Answer: Joseph Cain

Joseph Stillwell Cain, affectionately known as 'Joe Cain', donned Chikasaw Indian clothing and climbed onto a decorated coal wagon pulled by a mule. The Sunday before Mardi Gras is still celebrated as 'Joe Cain Day,' where anyone who wants to can join in the parade. (Michael Kraft led the Cowbellion de Rakin Society, and Daniel E. Huger and Ethel Hodgson reigned as the first king and queen of Mobile's carnival.)

11. Which of the following societies did Joseph Cain found?

Answer: Order of Myths

Cain founded the Order of Myths, who still hold the final parade in Mobile on Mardi Gras night. He also founded The Lost Cause Minstrels, composed of sixteen former Confederate soldiers playing drums and horns.

12. What was the first black mystic society in Mobile?

Answer: Order of Doves

All of these were black mystic societies in Mobile, but the original was the Order of Doves, which held its first ball in 1894.

13. Which of the following was Mobile's first women's society?

Answer: Polka Dots

The Polka Dots were the first women's society in Mobile, holding their first parade in 1949. They still march today, along with several other women's societies, including the Order of Athena. Le Krewe de Bienville holds balls for tourists to Mobile during Mardi Gras.

14. What is Mardi Gras known as in the Christian calendar?

Answer: Shrove Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday is the day before Lent starts. The following day, the first day of lent is known as Ash Wednesday.

15. What Mobilian mystic society rides aboard floats that are decorated with sarcastic remarks and drawings and rarely throws candy and trinkets?

Answer: Comic Cowboys

The Comic Cowboys typically parade behind the KOR floats.

Source: Author CAngel05

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stedman before going online.
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