Today, February 21, 2023 is Mardi Gras!
Mardi Gras, meaning "Fat Tuesday" in French, is a traditional holiday celebrated the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the Christian season of Lent.
The origins of Mardi Gras can be traced back to ancient pagan celebrations of the arrival of spring and the rebirth of nature, which were later adapted by early Christians into a pre-Lenten festival. During the Middle Ages, the festival was popular in Europe, and was brought to the French colonies in North America, including Louisiana, in the late 17th century.
Lent
Lent is a period of 40 days leading up to Easter. It is a time of fasting and prayer which commemorates the 40 days spent in the desert by Jesus Christ.
It is meant to help Christians prepare for the celebration of Easter.
The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, which falls 46 days before Easter Sunday. The 40-day period of Lent does not include Sundays, as Sundays are considered to be days of celebration and rest.
Fasting is a common practice during Lent, and many Christians choose to give up certain foods or types of food during this time.
Feast before Fast!
Mardi Gras was originally a Roman pagan festival celebrating the end of winter, the Calends of March, during which prohibitions were broken and disguises authorized.
The Calends was a term used in ancient Rome to refer to the first day of each month. It was a day of celebration and was marked with various religious and civic ceremonies. It was also an important day for the Roman economy, as many people received payment for work or services on this day.
The Calends gave us the word “calendar”.
The feast was later Christianized, to mark the start of Lent, and became known as carnival.
The word "carnival" comes from the Latin phrase "carne levare," which means "remove the meat."
The first documented use of the word "carnival" dates back to the 14th century, when it was used to describe the festive season leading up to Lent in Italy.
Today, "carnival" is a popular term used to describe the pre-Lenten celebrations that take place in many countries around the world, including Brazil and several European nations.
Each culture has its own unique traditions, but the common thread is a celebration of life and a farewell to the pleasures of the flesh before the period of Lenten sacrifice and penance begins.
The Roman Calendar
In the early Roman calendar, the first day of the year was March 1st, which was marked by the festival of Matronalia, a celebration of women and mothers. The calendar originally had ten months, starting in March and ending with December, with a period of winter downtime between December and March.
In 713 BC, the calendar was reformed, and two new months, January and February, were added at the beginning of the year.
However, it wasn't until 153 BC that the Roman Senate officially declared January 1st to be the beginning of the New Year, which remains the start of the year in most Western countries.
The last “fat" meal before Lent
The traditional food of Mardi Gras varies depending on the region and culture, but many celebrations include rich, indulgent dishes that are meant to be enjoyed before the period of Lenten fasting and abstinence.
In many parts of the world, pancakes or other types of pastries are also a popular food on Mardi Gras. In the United Kingdom, for example, people often eat pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, which is the British equivalent of Mardi Gras. In France, people traditionally eat crepes and beignets (doughnuts) on Mardi Gras.
From New Orleans…
In New Orleans, one popular Mardi Gras dish is gumbo, a hearty stew made with a variety of meats, vegetables, and spices, typically served over rice. Another classic New Orleans Mardi Gras dish is jambalaya, a spicy rice dish that often includes sausage, chicken, shrimp, and other ingredients.
In Louisiana, Mardi Gras evolved into a cultural phenomenon, with parades, masked balls, and other celebrations that reflect the state's unique history and multicultural influences. Today, Mardi Gras is a major event in New Orleans, where elaborate floats, costumes, and music are the hallmarks of the festivities.
…to Douarnenez
Bretagne (Brittany) doesn't have Rio or New Orleans, but it has Douarnenez!
Douarnenez is a little fishing town, once famous for its sardine canneries.
Located 30 miles from my hometown of Brest, I would go there “religiously” every year to attend and celebrate the carnival, or “Les Gras", as the people of Douarnenez calls it (plural since the party lasts about a week!).
The carnival goes back to at least the early 1800s and was not only a religious celebration. This time of the year was a transitional period for the local fishermen as the fishing season was about to start. It was the last time for them to get some fun before going to sea.
Les Gras are a great showing. On Tuesday night, people wear original and colorful costumes, mostly homemade, which sometimes take a full year to be completed.
There are some famous events like the cremation of Den Paolig (an tall effigy made of papier-mâché representing a local personality) and the town waiters and waitresses race, to name a few.
I was told that 11,000 tickets were sold this year. Which is close to the town population!
It you happen to be in Douarnenez at the time of the carnival, don’t miss it!
Wherever you are in the World today, happy Mardi Gras!