Carnaval

Carnaval, the merrymaking and festivity that takes place in many historically Roman Catholic countries in the last days and hours before the Lenten season. The derivation of the word is uncertain, though it possibly can be traced to the medieval Latin carnem levare or carnelevarium, which means to take away or remove meat. This coincides with the fact that Carnaval is the final festivity before the commencement of the austere 40-day season of Lent, during which Roman Catholics and other Christians have traditionally fasted, abstained from eating meat, and followed other ascetic practices. In its long history Carnaval has played a significant role in the development of popular theater, vernacular song, and folk dances, and is marked with a rich variety of cultural observances.

Dates and length of Carnaval

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The first day of Carnaval varies with both national and local traditions. Thus, in Munich in Bavaria the Carnaval season, there called Fasching, begins on the feast of the Epiphany (January 6), while in Cologne in the Rhineland it begins on November 11 at 11:11 am (11th month, day, hour, and minute). In France the celebration is restricted to Shrove Tuesday (the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday) and to mi-carème (the Thursday of the third week of Lent). More generally, the commencement date is Quinquagesima Sunday (the Sunday before Ash Wednesday) and the conclusion is Shrove Tuesday. In some parts of Spain, Ash Wednesday also is included in the Carnaval celebrations, an observance that stems from a time when Ash Wednesday was not an integral part of Lent.

Festivities

The historical origin of Carnaval is obscure. It possibly has its roots in a primitive festival honoring the beginning of the new year and the rebirth of nature, though it is also possible that the beginnings of Carnaval in Italy may be linked to the pagan Saturnalian festival of ancient Rome. Indeed, in earlier times Rome was most conspicuous as the center of Carnaval activity, and the splendor and richness of the festivity that marked its observance there were scarcely surpassed elsewhere.

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Today, masked balls, elaborate costumes, parades, and various other festivities mark many Carnaval celebrations. In the United States the principal Carnaval celebration is in New Orleans, where the Carnaval season opens on Twelfth Night, or Epiphany (January 6), and climaxes with the Mardi Gras festivities commencing 10 days before Shrove Tuesday. The French name Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday, from the custom of using all the fats in the home before Lent.

In Italy, Venice became a gathering place for traditionally disguised Carnaval revelers. In Einsiedeln, Switzerland, a popular Carnaval parade features demon masks and the clanging of large bells to drive out evil spirits and to announce the end of winter on the eve of Lent and spring.

The most famous modern Carnaval is perhaps that of Rio de Janeiro, which lasts for four days each year and attracts many tourists. It is a traditional festival in which the people of the city enthusiastically participate. Samba schools, which serve as community associations throughout the city, take part in vibrant parades filled with music, dancing, and elaborate costumes.