Mardi Gras as a Carnival is not big in Canada -- at least, not on its traditional date before Lent. It's too damn cold here in winter for those fabulous half-nekkid costumes, feathers, beads, parades and public partying. So our Mardi Gras-like Caribbean festivals are all held in the summer instead, such as Caribana in Toronto and Cariwest in Edmonton.
On Fat Tuesday itself, there's little hoopla here apart from maybe eating pancakes. No King Cakes. No beads. No nuthin'.
But that doesn't mean we can't all enjoy a rousing rendition of the official song of Mardi Gras -- Iko Iko! Its infectious beat and joyful lyrics will stay with you all day long! In other words, sorry for the earworm you're about to get, everyone --
Iko Iko un-day
Jock-a-mo fee-no ai na-ne
Jock-a-mo fee-na-ne
Iko Iko is a traditional New Orleans song about a confrontational mock battle between rival Mardi Gras "krewes" participating in the Carnival parade. The refrain is said to be a phonetic rendition of an indigenous Native American victory chant but its actual meaning or significance is unknown.
