In the Fall of 2000, a group of African Americans came together to discuss
how minorities could become more involved in the celebration of Mardi Gras in the spirit of the African American culture
in the Shreveport area. The group formed the Krewe of Harambee, the first African American Krewe in Shreveport, Louisiana.
MARDI GRAS is French for "Fat Tuesday", which is the day before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.
The term Mardi Gras is commonly used to describe the season of Carnival. The Carnival season always begins on the Twelfth
Night -- twelve nights after Christmas.
Many parades and balls will be held by Krewes (organizations) in the weeks prior
to Fat Tuesday. Purple, green, and gold are the official colors of Mardi Gras. Purple
represents justice, green is for faith, and
gold symbolizes power.