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The Conversation

Factual: Life Stories

Two women from different parts of the world share the stories of their lives

Two women from different parts of the world, united by a common passion, experience or expertise, share the stories of their lives.

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The Conversation: Women in Carnivals

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Washer Princess and Muses shoe

Women in Carnivals

BBC World Service - The Conversation, Women in Carnivals

Two women who are part of Mardi Gras in New Orleans and the Women's Carnival in Bonn

Joanna Impey brings together two women from New Orleans and Bonn who argue that feminist ideas are at the heart of carnival, and that we should look beyond the stereotypes.

Cutting off men's ties, throwing sequined stilettos and storming City Hall - carnival may at first appear to be a frivolous occasion, but Joanna Impey speaks to two women who say that feminist and even revolutionary ideas are at the root of carnival traditions, and are still highly relevant today.

Staci Rosenberg is the founder of one of the few all-female Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans. When she moved to the city as a student, she discovered that the social clubs which organise the parades were mostly male, moneyed and invitation-only. So she set up the 'Krewe of Muses' - which now has over 1,000 members and has had to close its waiting list due to high demand.

Monika Hoerig is the spokeswoman for the City of Bonn in Germany. But once a year, she joins a group of women to 'overthrow' her boss, the Mayor, and take control of City Hall. This symbolic takeover can be traced back to the 1820s, when a group of washerwomen got together to ditch their work and complain about their menfolk. The event marks the start of the carnival season in the area.

Image: (L) Washer Princess. ©: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images 
Image: (R) Muses shoe. ©: Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee

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