Focusing on Mardi Gras in Southern Louisiana, author Barry Jean Ancelet correlates the rituals from the ancient and medieval Europe to modern day Mardi Gras in Mamou, Louisiana. Mamou's cajun country Mardi Gras is not the typical street celebration as seen in New Orleans. Masked men and women ride throughtout the countryside asking their neighbors to donate food items for their gumbo. Along with the community's version of the traditional Mardi Gras song, "Le Chanson de Mardi Gras," is a collection of black and white photos, by James Edmunds, illustrating la ft?e de Mardi Gras.