By Francisco Peyret
Carnival, one of the most popular celebrations worldwide, represents a tradition that has evolved over time. There are different versions of the origins of Carnival, but all agree they are ancient and pagan. It is a celebration related to the harvest, a time when all kinds of excesses, joy, and freedoms were allowed.
Many studies suggest the festivity began some 5,000 years ago with the Sumerians and the Egyptians. Although we do not know if they dressed up in costumes, we know it was a celebration of excess. The celebration was taken up by the Greeks, who honored their god Dionysus, the god of festivities, dance, theater, excesses, and pleasures. The Romans did the same with their god Bacchus—the god of wine—and the celebration was known as Bacchanalia. It was known for drunkenness, binge eating, and sexual excesses. During the Middle Ages, European Christianity adapted this pagan festivity and placed it on the Church calendar for the three days prior to Lent. It became a Christian celebration of penance and fasting. Carnival takes place 40 days before Palm Sunday (the end of Lent) and 40 days and one week before Easter Sunday. The etymology of the word Carnival comes from the Latin carnem-levare which means «remove meat». Subsequently, another interpretation emerged that prevails today, carne-vale, which means «goodbye to meat.» The Catholic Church assimilated the pagan festival, implementing various elements of the original tradition.
Many countries have enthusiastically incorporated the festival into their own traditions, and in many cases turned the event into a tourist attraction. The best example is in Rio de Janeiro. According to the latest data in 2017 by EPM agency, 5,982,700 people participated in Brazil’s version of the festivity, which covered more than 570 city blocks. The figures surpassing the previous record of 5.4 million people.
Some of the most famous carnivals in the world take place in Venice, Italy; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Cadiz, Spain; Nice, France; Barranquilla, Colombia; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Cologne, Germany; and Veracruz, Mexico. In Mexico, more than 200 cities celebrate Carnival. Stand-outs are in Autlán de Navarro, Huejotzingo, Cozumel, Ensenada, Tlaxcala, Campeche, Chimalhuacán, Puebla, Mazatlán, Michoacán, Ciudad del Carmen, Mérida, Tlaltenco, Veracruz, and Tampico.
The Spanish and Portuguese brought Carnival to the Americas around the 15th century, when the indigenous peoples assimilated it. In Mexico, the oldest celebration is the Carnival of Campeche, estimated to be almost 430 years old. The most popular are the carnivals of Veracruz and Mazatlán. Originating in 1886 and 1898, respectively, they are characterized by a joyful sense of humor. In San Miguel de Allende, Carnival is known as El Día de los Cascaronazos—The Day of Eggshells. It is traditional for children and adolescents to show up in masks in the Jardin Principal, and break blown-out colored eggshells filled with confetti and glitter on each other and passers-by. Prepare, then, for another celebration in our town, where parades, parties, and costumes are so common. This year, the week-long Carnival celebration begins on February 26.
The Carnival
Anonymous
I paint my face
In myriad colors,
Adorn my suit
With ribbons and flowers.
I sing songs
And wear a mask.
Laugh along with me
Because it’s the Carnival.
