Carnival - A Flourishing History

By: S. Chuahy 

How has Carnival changed over the years and is it as culturally contributing as it was the past few centuries? 

Every year, mainly in Brazil, there is a big party with light shows and confetti and dancers, as we all know. But, what brought us to this big party? Why is it in February? The truth is, Carnival’s origin dates back to 10,000 B.C, in Ancient Greece and Egypt, and evolved to many different parties in different regions in the world. Let’s find out how all these celebrations led to Carnival in our culturally vibrant country. 

In Ancient Egypt, the celebration was there simply to welcome Spring. But in Ancient Greece, it was a festival focused on religious practices based on agriculture, called the agrarian cults, and the Dionysia, to honor the wine god. 

Centuries later, in Ancient Rome, the festivities were simply based on the Saturnalia, to honor Saturn, and Lupercalia, where people switched their social roles and had and abundant amount of food and drinks. 

Carnival had an impact on Christianity too. During the 12th century, it was a celebration to channel a collective urge before Lent – where people don’t eat meat for 40 days and 40 nights, honoring Jesus Crist’s fasting and praying and temptation. The festival served as some sort of “Farewell to Flesh”. 
The meaning of the word “Carnival” derives from the Latin words “Carne vale” or “Carnem levare” literately meaning “farewell to meat”.

And that was how the celebrations led to today’s famous party in Brazil. But the real question is – how will Carnival look like in the next few centuries?