Carnival in rural Louisiana

In Louisinana, each community possesses its own particular style for celebrating Mardi Gras, a grand masked celebration originating from European traditions and introduced by French settlers in the 17th century. Erin will disclose the specificities, illustrated by her photo archives.

Erin Segura makes costumes and masks and every year she takes to the streets for Mardi Gras in the small village of Ossun, in Louisiana. Participating writer for the literary project La Prairie des femmes, she also researches Mardi Gras traditions in different villages of Louisiana. Erin Segura is also a teacher for francophone studies at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She studied in Nova Scotia, and in France. Her research subjects and area of expertise include the traditions of the Traiteurs-euses (traditional Louisiana healers), and the management of the francophone oral history archives at the university.