Expert: J.M.J. West - 3/9/2009

Question
hello,

I would like to ask -
what are the origins of the carnival in Christianity?


Thanks for your help.

Answer
Yair,

The notion of the carnival (From the Latin for "meat") traditionally describes a time immediately before Lent, the period of roughly 40 days of penance leading up to the Easter Triduum, which culminates with Easter Sunday, the ultimate feast of the Church.

Throughout those 40 days, traditionally many have undergone a number of sacrifices, including not eating certain fats or meats.  In order to clear out these goods from the house before lent began, people the week before (and especially the day before) lent began would use up all this food (lest it rot and spoil).  And using the good and sweet things in large groups leads to festivities in general, especially on the eve of a somber and solemn time.  So naturally this became a rather natural time to feast and party - all in good nature within the standards of decency.

The secular culture of course has a habit of taking a good thing and running it into the ground, hence the modern day debauchery generally associated with Mardi gras, itself a carnival celebration.

Hope that helps.

You might find this link helpful:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnival