Carnival
Carnival
Carnival (pronunciation: /ˈkɑːrnɪvəl/) is a festive season that occurs before the liturgical season of Lent. The main events typically occur during February or early March, during the period historically known as Shrovetide (or Pre-Lent). Carnival typically involves public celebrations, including events such as parades, public street parties and other entertainments, combining some elements of a circus. Elaborate costumes and masks allow people to set aside their everyday individuality and experience a heightened sense of social unity.
Etymology
The term Carnival is traditionally held to derive from the Latin carnem levare or carnelevarium, which means to take away or remove meat. This coincides with the fact that Carnival is the final festivity before the commencement of the austere 40 days of Lent, during which the Roman Catholic Church, including many Christian denominations, prescribes abstinence from meat.
Related Terms
- Mardi Gras: Known as Fat Tuesday, it refers to events of the Carnival celebration, beginning on or after the Christian feasts of the Epiphany and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday.
- Samba: A Brazilian music genre and dance style, with its roots in Africa via the West African slave trade and African religious traditions, particularly of Angola and the Congo.
- Masquerade ball: A formal costume party that was a feature of the Carnival season from the 15th century and remained at least through the 17th century.
- Fasching: The term Fasching is used in Bavaria and Austria. While it has its origins in the time of fasting that follows, it has evolved to a time of costumes and masked balls.
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