Launched February 28, 2023: 'CAJUN MARDI GRAS & The Chicken Chase' by award winning ZUMA photojournalist ERICH SCHLEGEL. When you think of Mardi Gras, what comes to mind? Beads, floats, music, and a bit of debauchery probably top your list. Early French settlers knew they had one last blow-out before the dreary Lenten season, and they made the most of it. Mamou is a small city with a big reputation. It's billed as the ''Cajun Music Capital of the World,'' and, as testimony of that distinction, is featured in many Cajun song titles. Every year, the town hosts the traditional Courir de Mardi Gras or ''Fat Tuesday Run'' with the chasing of the chickens. For those in Mamou, Mardi Gras is more like a marathon, after all the dancing and partying the event culminates with a community gumbo, where plans are made for next year's celebration. Welcome to 'CAJUN MARDI GRAS & The Chicken Chase'
© zReportage.com Story of the Week #878: Launched February 28, 2023: 'CAJUN MARDI GRAS & The Chicken Chase' by award winning ZUMA photojournalist ERICH SCHLEGEL. When you think of Mardi Gras, what comes to mind? Beads, floats, music, and a bit of debauchery probably top your list. Early French settlers knew they had one last blow-out before the dreary Lenten season, and they made the most of it. Mamou is a small city with a big reputation. It's billed as the ''Cajun Music Capital of the World,'' and, as testimony of that distinction, is featured in many Cajun song titles. Every year, the town hosts the traditional Courir de Mardi Gras or ''Fat Tuesday Run'' with the chasing of the chickens. For those in Mamou, Mardi Gras is more like a marathon, after all the dancing and partying the event culminates with a community gumbo, where plans are made for next year's celebration. Welcome to 'CAJUN MARDI GRAS & The Chicken Chase'

Mardi Gras participants capture a chicken for the evenings gumbo. Rooted in French medieval history and brought to Louisiana in the 19th century, Courir de Mardi Gras has many rituals that come together in a celebration on Fat Tuesday. It's commonly referred to as 'the real Mardi Gras.'
© Erich Schlegel/ZUMA Press Wire

Courir de Mardi Gras riders race on horseback down dusty road during the 1993 annual 'Fat Tuesday Run' in southern Louisiana.
© Erich Schlegel/ZUMA Press Wire

After the captain gives the signal, Mardi Gras riders charge a farmhouse field during one of the stops on the Courir de Mardi Gras. Accompanied by a live Cajun band, riders entertain the landowners, dancing on their saddles and general buffoonery, hoping for a live chicken. The run starts at 7am with a caravan following through the countryside, finishing late Tuesday afternoon in downtown Mamou.
© Erich Schlegel/ZUMA Press Wire

Mardi gras costumed participants on horseback during the 1993 Courir de Mardi Gras, or 'Fat Tuesday Run.' Riders on horseback ride is a group through the countryside, gathering ingredients for the towns communal gumbo dinner.
© Erich Schlegel/ZUMA Press Wire

Courir de Mardi Gras costumed runners chase down a chicken released in a field.
© Erich Schlegel/ZUMA Press Wire

A costumed Mardi Gras rider standing on his saddle during the 1993 Courir de Mardi Gras, or 'Fat Tuesday Run'.
© Erich Schlegel/ZUMA Press Wire

Mardi Gras riders fording a river on horseback during the Courir de Mardi Gras, or 'Fat Tuesday Run' which is part of the southern Louisiana Cajun culture.
© Erich Schlegel/ZUMA Press Wire.

Costumed and masked participants stand on their horses during the 1993 Courir de Mardi Gras, or 'Fat Tuesday Run' in southern Louisiana.
© Erich Schlegel/ZUMA Press Wire

Mardi Gras riders dancing any way they can on their saddles during the Courir de Mardi Gras, or 'Fat Tuesday Run'.
© Erich Schlegel/ZUMA Press Wire

Mardi Gras participants capture a chicken for the evenings gumbo during the 1993 event. Rooted in French medieval history and brought to Louisiana in the 19th century, Courir de Mardi Gras has many rituals that come together in a celebration on Fat Tuesday. It's commonly referred to as 'the real Mardi Gras.'
© Erich Schlegel/ZUMA Press Wire

During Courir de Mardi Gras revelers go from house to house singing and dancing for the owners in order to get different ingredients for a communal gumbo to be served later that evening. The last ingredient, and the highlight of the entire celebration, is the chicken..
© Erich Schlegel/ZUMA Press Wire

A costumed Mardi Gras rider sits on a kicking donkey during the 1993 Courir de Mardi Gras, or 'Fat Tuesday Run'.
© Erich Schlegel/ZUMA Press Wire

A participant dressed in colorful costume and mask holds a captured chicken during the Courir de Mardi Gras, or
© February 21, 2023, Mamou, Louisiana, USA: A participant dressed in colorful costume and mask holds a captured chicken during the Courir de Mardi Gras, or

A rider on horseback outside the Hotel Cazan in Mamou during the 1993 Courir de Mardi Gras, and 'Fat Tuesday Run'.
© Erich Schlegel/ZUMA Press Wire

A participant dives from his horse into the river during the Courir de Mardi Gras, or 'Fat Tuesday Run.' Riders on horseback ride is a group through the countryside, gathering ingredients for the towns communal gumbo dinner.
© Erich Schlegel/ZUMA Press Wire

A live Cajun band follows the 1993 Courir de Mardi Gras riders during the run. The run starts at 7am with a caravan following, finishing in a big parade late Tuesday afternoon in downtown Mamou.
© Erich Schlegel/ZUMA Press Wire

At the end of the day riders enter the town of Mamou, displaying some of the chickens they caught while crossing the countryside during the Courir de Mardi Gras.
© Erich Schlegel/ZUMA Press Wire

Participant wearing a stars and stripes costume stands on two horses during the 1993 Courir de Mardi Gras, or 'Fat Tuesday Run' in southern Louisiana.
© Erich Schlegel/ZUMA Press Wire

Mardi Gras riders dancing any way they can on their saddles during the Courir de Mardi Gras, or 'Fat Tuesday Run'.
© Erich Schlegel/ZUMA Press Wire

Everyone joins in the dancing during the 1993 Courir de Mardi Gras which is part of the southern Louisiana Cajun culture.
© Erich Schlegel/ZUMA Press Wire

Holding up a rooster to entice the Mardi Gras riders coming up the road during the Courir de Mardi Gras, or 'Fat Tuesday Run' which is part of the southern Louisiana Cajun culture.
© Erich Schlegel/ZUMA Press Wire