I have lived in South Louisiana for 40 years, but had never attended the authentic Courir de Mardi Gras. Courir is a French Cajun word meaning run. In the western parishes north of us, there are multiple small towns that have a chicken run. The basic idea is the krewes are going house to house to get all the ingredients for a gumbo. The final ingredient is a chicken. The chicken run is a crazy, wild drunken race to catch the chicken.
I introduced this cultural tradition to my students, and we did chicken art on the Thursday before our Mardi Gras break. We followed a video created by the Acadiana Center for the Arts linked here. The chickens were created using recycled materials. In Courir de Mardi Gras, the costumes are made with scraps of fabric and masks are made with screen. It is the total opposite of New Orleans Mardi Gras which is all about royalty and elaborate beautiful costumes. Courir de Mardi Gras has a captain rather than a king who leads the krewe.
My husband and I became interested in Courir from a performance we saw at the Acadiana Center for the Arts. We decided to go to the parade in Eunice when all the krewes come in, some on horse back. My daughter, son-in-law, and grandkids joined us. We had made some costumes by adding fabric patches and fringe to old clothes. I used an old scarf, some sparkling jewel tape, and an old denim shirt. As the parade came through, Leo was poked (in jest) by a couple tricksters; one of them untied my shoelaces. Afterward there was a band we love to hear and dance to, Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys.
I have to admit I was a bit creeped out by the chickens. I refrained from petting one. They walk close to the crowd to allow for petting. The chickens are surprisingly calm. I gasped when I saw a dead one on the ground. And to top it all off, a woman was wearing a taxidermic chicken on her head. While the band was playing, some of the tricksters got on the stage and threw a live chicken into the crowd. Luckily, I was not close by.
Learning more about the culture of my own state is fascinating and fun. I’m also trying to accept some of the craziness of it all. For the most part, it is harmless fun.
Reflections on the Teche 
Gee – I never knew about this way of celebrating Mardi Gras. I usually celebrate with pancakes! I love this glimpse into the parishes. Being a yankee it seems to be a whole other incredible world!
Even to me as a southerner, it seems foreign.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Margaret. I saw an Anthony Bordain show where he visited a small town in Alabama who celebrated in this way. As worddancer says, it seems to be a whole other incredible world!
Yes! Anthony Bordain came to courir in Louisiana. We have some friends who met him and were interviewed.
Courir de Mardi Gras sounds like a joyful way to celebrate.
We have a framed picture of a running chicken in my kitchen. Now that I’ve read your slice, I’ll forever think of Courir de Mardi Gras when I look at it.
Margaret, I am so excited that you shared your Courir de Mardi Gras. It is fun to learn about different traditions.
Margaret, wow, I never knew there were different Mardi Gras celebrations. I know nothing of the rich culture of Louisiana. It’s nice to know after 40 years there is still more to learn about your state. I like the way you describe the cringy moments (like when the chicken was thrown into the audience). You describe the way I think I would react too.
Margaret, I’m so glad you shared this part of the culture that I have never heard about or seen. I learn so much from reading blogs that share the nuances of culture and tradition, and this seems like so much fun! I’m not sure about those tricksters – especially the throwing of the chicken. But the parade, the costumes, and the festivities seem so upbeat and charged with energy.