Mamou Mardi Gras

This is a great video about Big Mamou Mardi Gras uploaded by Rdezo.  Visit YouTube for more information by him and comments to his post.  It makes me wonder where this tradition originated.  I know Mardi Gras was around before even France started celebrating it, but I wonder what French groups brought it here to Louisiana.

Read Rocky Sexton's article for some thought on this:
CAJUN MARDI GRAS: CULTURAL OBJECTIFICATION AND SYMBOLIC APPROPRIATION IN A FRENCH TRADITION
Short quote from his abstract:

…Rural Louisiana Mardi Gras is viewed as a Cajun-French custom although it was once shared by a diverse Louisiana French population...