Meaning
A krewe is a club or organization formed to participate in Carnival, commonly staging Mardi Gras parades, balls, pageants, throws, or other festivities in New Orleans.
How it is used
The Historic New Orleans Collection defines a krewe simply as a club or organization that exists to celebrate Carnival and explains internal roles such as captain and ceremonial royalty. New Orleans visitor material uses krewe as the generic term for Carnival organizations across the city.
Examples
- “The krewe announced its parade theme for Carnival.”
- “She joined a krewe that makes its own signature throws.”
Pronunciation
/kruː/ · KROO
Tone and register
Neutral and institutional within Carnival culture. Individual krewes differ enormously in history, membership, cost, social role, traditions and public visibility.
Visitor guidance
Do not assume all krewes are socially identical or equally old. Some historic organizations emerged from elite White social structures, while later krewes include Black, women-led, LGBTQ+, neighborhood and other community traditions; describe the specific organization when that history matters.
Cultural context
The term became central to the organized-parade era of New Orleans Carnival in the nineteenth century. The Historic New Orleans Collection also documents how Carnival organization reflected changing class, race, gender and political power, so 'krewe' names a form of organization rather than one single social tradition.
Places represented
Open the reviewed place guide for each regional sense carried by this canonical entry.