History of the Krewe of Iduna

The Krewe of Iduna History

The Krewe of Iduna (e-don-a) was organized in 1960 by a group of Baton Rouge women who wanted to establish a women’s social Mardi Gras organization based on the old traditions of New Orleans Mardi Gras Krewes. The purpose was to present a themed formal ball each year with a king, queen, pages, maids and dukes whose identity would be a secret until the night of the ball. Since our maids were not debutantes, any parties to honor the Court were held after they were presented at our ball. At the beginning, even the king did not know he would be king until the night of the ball.

The name Iduna was proposed by Ruth Sherlock, a Charter member, and was based on a Scandinavian myth “The Apples of Iduna”. Iduna was the goddess of youth, and her husband, Bragi, was the god of poetry and eloquence. Thus came the krewe’s name and our king and queen’s names.

The first ball was held in 1961 in an airplane hanger out at Ryan Field, now known as Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport. At the time, that was the only place large enough to hold a tableau, presentation, and ball for 300-500 people. The charter members had to do all the work themselves, from draping the entire hanger with fabric, to stocking the bathrooms with supplies. All the Baton Rouge krewes used the same facility, so they shared some of the decorating responsibilities. The first krewe to arrive put up the wall hangings and the last krewe to leave disassembled.

Since Iduna was the youngest Krewe, we traditionally opened Carnival with the first ball of the season and our responsibility was to put up the wall hangings. From what our charter members tell us, it was truly a family affair, as it is now, with husbands and children pitching in to put it together. For a number of years the balls were held at Ryan Field and since have been held in various hotels, the Riverside Centroplex and, for over 20 years, at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. The Krewe of Iduna balls are now held downtown at the Raising Cane's River Center.

The Myth of Iduna

An Ancient Scandinavian Myth

“The Apples of Iduna” a myth about the coming of spring, was a favorite with the Northmen. They believed that the long, cold winter was caused by the triumph of the giants of Jotunheim over the gods. When spring returned, the gods had prevailed.

In the shining city of Asgard, where the gods dwelt, lived Bragi, the god of poetry and eloquence, and his lovely wife, Iduna, goddess of youth. In the light of her warm smile, no one could grow old, and the trees in her garden were always in bloom. Best of all, she had a magic casket filled with wonderful apples, which the Fates had allowed her to pluck from the Tree of Life. They had the power of giving youth to all who ate them.

One day Loki, the mischief-making god, fell into the power of the storm giant, Thiassi. To gain his freedom, he promised to help Thiassi steal Iduna and her apples. He persuaded Iduna to accompany him to a grove where he declared there were apples finer than hers.

When they left the walls of Asgard, a bitter wind blew and the wings of an enormous eagle darkened the sky. This was the giant, Thiassi. Swooping down, he seized Iduna in his claws and bore her far away to the frozen land of the giants.

In Asgard, the trees turned red and brown, the birds grew silent, and snow fell in the streets. The sun pales and dwindles and sank so low it nearly fell off the rim of the world. The gods grew old and gray.

At length, the angry gods found that Loki had lured Iduna from Asgard. He promised to undo the harm he had wrought. Borrowing falcon plumage from Freya, the goddess of love, he flew to the bitter north and found Iduna imprisoned in a rock cave by the frozen sea.

Changing her into a sparrow, he set out with Iduna and her apples clutched in his falcon claws. The storm giant flew swiftly in pursuit. The gods, watching from the walls of Asgard, built a mighty fire. As Loki and Iduna cleared the walls, the fire flamed high, blinding the giant eagle. He fell within the walls and was killed. With Iduna back in Asgard, the earth burst the bonds of winter, trees budded, flowers bloomed, and the gods grew young and vigorous by eating the magic apples again.

2024 Carnival Ball

Iduna in the News

Krewe of Iduna Celebrates Cuban Culture at Annual Ball

The Advocate: Krewe of Iduna Takes On Bewitching Theme for 62nd Annual Ball

InRegister: Krewe of Iduna 2022 Ball

Nola.com: Krewe of Iduna Party for the Paqes

The Advocate: Krewe of Iduna celebrates '60 Years of Strong Women'

The Advocate: Krewe of Iduna celebrates with 'The Future's So Bright' theme

Krewe of Mystique and Krewe of Iduna: 2019 Parade

The Advocate: Iduna celebrates the krewe's 58 years at Jan. 6 ball

The Advocate: Krewe of Iduna makes ‘Run for the Roses’

InRegister: Krewe of Iduna 2019