Mardi Gras represents carnival festivities that start on or after Epiphany, a Christian holiday observed on January 6th and ends on the day before Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras, French for Fat Tuesday, is also referred to as Shrove Tuesday. The holiday signifies carnival events celebrated during this time and includes feasting on rich fatty foods in preparation of the habitual fasting period of Lent.
The history of this holiday is coupled with controversies as some believe that the holiday is associated with the Roman pagan celebration of Saturnalia, while others think that this holiday is associated with Christian traditions. Below we look at both accounts.
Early Roman festivals
Roman pagan festivals of fertility or spring such as Saturnalia and Lupercalia date back to 133-31 BC. These holidays were celebrated in honour of the god of Agriculture, Saturn. For instance, Saturnalia was a week-long tradition observed from mid-December before the strewing of winter crops. However, with the adoption of Christianity among the Romans, the holiday was overpowered by Christmas celebrations which took place around the same period.
Christian traditions
According to this account, this holiday is closely associated with the Christian celebration of Epiphany, also referred to as Three Kings’ Day or Magi according to the Gospel of Matthew. On this day, the three wise men visited Jesus with gifts of myrrh, gold, and frankincense. Therefore, during the 12 days after Christmas, Western Christians observe Epiphany to mark Jesus’ coming not only to the Jews but to the gentile Magi as well. As such the Feast of Epiphany marks the beginning of the carnival celebrations which continue until the day before Ash Wednesday. Traditionally, Christians believe that the 40-day period between Ash Wednesday and Easter, exclusive of Sundays, is for abstaining from luxurious things, especially foods that bring them joy. In doing so, they believe that they can better understand Jesus’ trial and temptations during His 40 days in the wilderness before His death on Good Friday. Hence, on the last day of Epiphany, usually the Tuesday before Lent, Christians indulge in feasting on their favorite delicacies.
Although these feasts were initially observed by Christians only, with time feasts revolving around Mardi Gras gained publicity and were adopted under new names as the tradition continued to spread. For instance, the first observance of this holiday in the United States dates back to March 1699 following the arrival of the French-Canadian traveler Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville in North America. Because this day coincided with Fat Tuesday back in France, Iberville decided to call the spot Point du Mardi Gras and organized a small gala. In the following years, French soldiers and settlers dined and wore masks in celebration of Mardi Gras in present-day Alabama.
Celebrations of Mardi Gras before Lent always involve the custom of wearing masks and costumes. For instance, in New Orleans, typical costumes include fairies, animals, mythical characters, medieval costumes, clowns, feathers, and capes. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the week before Ash Wednesday is referred to as Shrovetide and culminates on Shrove Tuesday. During this period, pancakes or pastries are the customary celebratory foods, especially in the Caribbean and Latin America regions.
Observation of this holiday varies from region to region. For instance, in the state of New Orleans, this holiday is observed from the twelfth night of Christmas until Ash Wednesday while in others, it is observed on the last three days of the period before Ash Wednesday. Typically, carnival celebrations are significant in Catholic and Anglican European nations. Below is a list of countries and their traditions during the Mardi Gras holiday:
Belgium
In the city of Binche, Belgium, Mardi Gras celebrations mark a very significant period of the year, the Carnival of Binche. During this period, over 1000 Gilles dance across the city while playing traditional carnival songs. Another celebration includes the Aalst Carnival in celebration of Mardi Gras, which is thought to mark the day of “Voil Janet or Dirty Sissy.” During the Aalst Carnival, men wear their mothers’ or wives’ dresses, a custom which dates back to when workers did not have funds to buy clothes.
Brazil
The Brazilian Carnival is one of the most popular holidays around the world, especially among tourists. During this festival, Brazilians incorporate samba in their celebrations accompanied by massive parades, big parties, and a variety of musical styles in the streets.
Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic, Mardi Gras is celebrated as Masopust, which means meat-fast or the beginning of the fast. Major celebrations are held in Prague as well as other villages and activities include door-to door processions.
France
In France, parades are common in Nice, Granville, Alpes Maritimes, Dunkerque, Sarreguemines, and the French Caribbean islands. The Nice Carnival, which according to records by the Count of Provence, Charles Anjou dates back to 1294, is held annually on the French Riviera.
Germany
In Germany, Mardi Gras is known by different names including Fetter Donnerstag (Fat Thursday), Greesentag, among others. Usually, this holiday is observed one or two weeks before Ash Wednesday and may be referred to as Fasching, Fastnacht or Karneval, among others. Typically, the customary commencement of this season is on November 11 at 11:11 am.
Italy
In Italy, this holiday is known as Martedi Grasso (Fat Tuesday) and is the central day of the Carnival together with the prior Thursday, which is known as Giovedi Grasso (Fat Thursday) and marks the start of the celebration.
Netherlands
In the Netherlands, Carnaval is celebrated instead of Mardi Gras. The name Carnaval is derived from carnem levare, which translates to “take away meat” or Carne vale, which means “farewell to meat.”
Russians celebrate the carnival of Maslenitsa which from a pagan perspective commemorates the conclusion of winter and the ensuing summer, and from a Christian perspective marks the final week before Lent.
The United States
In the United States, this holiday is standard in traditionally ethnic French regions. The first Mardi Gras parade was observed in 1837 in New Orleans. Other cities with French colonial heritage and active Mardi Gras celebrations include Galveston, Florida, Texas, Lafayette & Alexandria, Louisiana, Natchez, Mississippi.
Twitter
Add a Comment
Please do not post:
Thank you once again for doing your part to keep Edarabia the most trusted education source.