6 Curiosities About Carnival

Carnival is one of the funniest and craziest times of the year. This festivity is celebrated all around the world, involving people of all ages. In the same country it can differ a lot from town to town, with many peculiarities and curiosities. Here's 6 of them!

1.

The first "carnival" originated in ancient Rome. This festivity, in fact, comes from the Roman "saturnalia". During this ancient celebration, the social order would be completely subverted: salves were owners and vice versa. This is also why we dress up. The Romans would elect a "princeps", all dressed up in vivid colors and silly masks, who would represent an infernal divinity descended on earth. The only way to appease his rage was to offer big banquets in his honor.

2.

The name "Carnival" comes from the latin "carnem levare". This term was born along with Cristianity and it means "take away the meat". It refers to the absence of meat in the diet of Christians, who are preparing for the Lent time. Carnival, in fact, takes place in the period that comes before this time of abstinence and fasting.

3.

A typical Italian tradition during Carnival is to prepare the so-called "chiacchiere". This dish has many different names, because of the several different Italian dialects, but is usually called this way. The reason may be because of the simpleness of its cooking. "Chiacchiere" can be fried or baked and are eaten with the typical "sanguinaccio". This chocolate sauce was once made with real pig boold and chocolate. However, today the practice of adding blood to it is illegal ("sanguinaccio" comes from "sangue", which means "blood").

4.

Another fun-fact about Italian Carnival is the orange battle in Ivrea (Piemonte). In this little town every year the streets witness a great orange battle: people throw them at one another and chariots parade. On these chariots more fighters throw oranges at pedestrians. All this results in great mess and great fun, even though sometimes someone gets hurt.

5.

As well as other countries, Spain has its own traditions when it comes to Carnival. One of these is the "entierro de la sardina" ("funeral of the sardine"). It takes place at the end of the festivity and represents the very end of the period of fasting. It results in a real funeral court in honor of the sardine, along with the hanging of the sardine's testament in communal houses.

6.

The last curiosity comes from Greece. In Patrasso, women are used to dress up in order to become unrecognizable. This comes from a tradition which sees, in the festivity of Carnival, the moment to escape reality and so housework. However, men and kids do not dress up and simply wear their usual clothes.