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Archive for the 'Carnival' Category
Contents
Posts
Easter Customs in Germany
Thursday, March 13th, 2008Christine von Kannen-Balgar sent me this fascinating letter, answering some questions I had about Easter customs in Germany:
Dear Lisa,
To answer to your e-mail:
1) I’ve never heard of a German custom of eating green eggs on Maundy (Green Thursday) [scroll down to the discussion of Green Dyes to see what Christine is referring to - Lisa].
2) In Germany the Catholics used to eat green vegetables on Green Thursday (and maybe also the Lutherans/Protestants).
Well, nowadays almost everything has changed! I shall try to explain to you about Maundy, Lent and Easter (and the Easter Bunny) in Germany.
What you are talking of was a matter of religion. In North Rhine Westphalia, where I come from, and in most parts of south Germany most people were Catholics, so is/was my family. When I was a child or young girl (and I am 63 now) we used to “lent”, which means that the children did not eat sweets. We collected all sweets we got in a big glass, and on Easter Sunday, when Lent was over, we put it into our “Easter baskets” with the other sweets and EGGS. The “Easter Bunny” brings little children eggs and all Easter sweets! I think nobody really knows where this custom came from. Though it is known that the Easter Bunny first became popular in Germany in the 16th century.
People in Germany also make Easter trees. They hollow out eggs, dye them and hang them on shrubs or trees.
Lent started on Ash Wednesday, the day after Carnival and ended on Easter Sunday (do you know that in Germany we have an “Easter Monday”, which is a holiday – no work?!).
On Green Thursday we used to eat spinach or green cabbage (it is a green kind/sort of cabbage) or brussels sprouts. Or any other green vegetable you can think of (winter vegetables – as you’ve written in your e-mail). But not eggs!
I don’t know what had been the custom in the 18th or 19th century, but since the beginning of the 20th century (my grandparents were born between 1874 – 1887) we have known this custom of green vegetables on Maundy. I never heart about eating green eggs on Maundy.
We eat eggs on Easter.
On Good Friday or Good Saturday we boil the eggs (they must be hard boiled, so that you can keep them for a few days). Then we colour them red, blue, yellow, green etc. or speckled with special “Easter Eggs Colouring”.
On Good Friday we used to eat fish or anything else, but never meat – a “law” of the Catholic Church.
So the Catholics were not allowed at all to eat meat on Fridays (according to Church Law, which is not a law given by Jesus but by the Institution of the Catholic Church!). But you might know that. As I said, custom and things change. Nowadays, almost nobody cares for that. We all eat meat on a Friday, and maybe this Church Law was given up!? I don’t know. But we still eat coloured eggs on Easter and give eggs, together with sweets, in a little basket, to children, sometimes also to adults.
Best wishes from Old Germany
ChristineThanks for sharing information about your customs in Germany with us Christine! Many of our customs in the US are the same. I believe a lot of them came here through the Pennsylvania Dutch (German immigrants to America).
Recently, I’ve even started to see Easter trees here too. I believe that’s a new custom.
If anyone knows more about the custom of eating green Easter eggs in Germany on Green Thursday, or if you’d like to share your customs with us, feel free to comment below or email me.
Happy Easter!
Mama Lisa
The Carnival Celebration in the Town of the Pailhasses in France – Putting the Politicians on Trial
Friday, February 23rd, 2007In France, Carnival is a big celebration held before the beginning of the Christian fasting season of Lent. In most towns, Monsieur Carnaval is a symbolic figure who is considered responsible for all the wrongdoing people do throughout the year. Usually, he’s judged and found guilty, and an effigy of him is burned at the Carnival.
In the town of the Pailhasses in France, Mr. Carnaval is given a different name every year. This year, there were two Mr. Carnaval’s, one called “Promises” and one called “Lies”. One represented the “promises”, and the other the “lies”, that the town’s governing council had made. In other words, the promises they had made during the election campaign versus what they’ve actually done since taking office. Both are put on trial. This version of the celebration is specific to this town, as the Pailhasses carnival form is different from elsewhere.
Ah, if only we could all burn effigies called “promises” and “lies” to wipe out all of the wrongdoings of politicians!
Many thanks to Monique Palomares of Mama Lisa’s World en français for sharing this story with us!
Lisa
Carnival Song from Malta, with an English Translation
Saturday, March 4th, 2006Carnival took place last Tuesday, and last week I presented different songs for the occasion from around the world. Here’s one that I was sent yesterday, from Malta. It’s a little late, but I really like it!
Perlini u prinjolata
(Maltese)Perlini u prinjolata
matul il-karnival
dawn huma jiem ta briju
ghall-kbar w ghalina tfal
min jilbes ta xi buffu
min jilbes ta pirat
ilkoll incapcpu u nidhku
hadd ma jkun irrabjat
evviva l-maskarati
evviva l-hmerijiet
ninghqadu llkoll mal-follol
naraw il-karrijiet
viva viva l-karnival
viva viva l-karnivalCarnival
(English)Pine-nut cake and sugared almonds
Coloured like these carnival days,
Full of noise and joy and laughter,
Of young and old with childish ways.Some will dress as mighty pirates,
Some will dress as funny clowns,
We’ll all clap and laugh together,
No one should be wearing frowns!So long live the masquerades and
Long live all the foolish deeds!
Let’s all join this crowd of people,
And see the floats parade the streets.Long, long live the carnival!
Long, long live the carnival!Many thanks to Christine George for sending me this song in Maltese. Thanks also to The Ministry for Tourism and Culture of Malta and Adrian Grimas of Inizjamed for all their help, and for Roderick Mallia of Inizjamed for translating this wonderful song.
Inizjamed is a cultural organization that supports culture and artistic expression in the Maltese Islands and actively promotes a greater awareness of the cultures of the Mediterranean.
Come visit the Mama Lisa’s World Malta Page for Maltese songs and rhymes.
Burning Monsieur Carnaval for Mardi Gras in France
Monday, February 27th, 2006In France, Carnival is a big celebration held before the beginning of the Christian fasting season of Lent. French adults and kids who celebrate Carnival will dress up in costumes and have parties. And, as I discussed last week, at the end, they will burn an effigy of Monsieur Carnaval.
Monsieur Carnaval… is responsible for all the wrongdoing people do throughout the year. At Carnival time in France, Monsieur Carnaval is judged for his behavior throughout the preceding year. Usually he’s found guilty and an effigy of him is burned at the Carnival.
While Monsieur Carnaval is burning, people dance in a circle around the fire singing (in French)…
Adieu pauvre Carnaval. Tu t’en vas et moi je reste pour manger la soupe à l’ail.
Here’s an English translation…
Goodbye poor Carnaval. You are leaving, and me, I am staying to eat garlic soup.
The soup is made with garlic, a vegetable, since, once Carnival is over, it’s time for Lent. Traditionally during the fast, meat was not allowed to be eaten.
There’s a similar song in Occitan called Adiu paure Carnaval (Farewell Poor Carnival). Occitan was the language of the Troubadours. It’s still spoken in some areas of Southern France (and some regions in Spain and Italy.) As the effigy burns, Adiu paure Carnaval is sung, speaking of Monsieur Carnival leaving the singer to eat garlic and oil soup.
Here’s Adiu paure Carnaval, in Occitan, with an English translation and an mp3 recording.
Adiu paure Carnaval
(Occitan)Adiu paure, adiu paure,
adiu paure Carnaval
Tu te’n vas e ieu demòri
Adiu paure Carnaval
Tu t’en vas e ieu demòri
Per manjar la sopa a l’alh
Per manjar la sopa a l’òli
Per manjar la sopa a l’alh
Adiu paure, adiu paure,
adiu paure CarnavalLa joinessa fa la fèsta
Per saludar Carnaval
La Maria fa de còcas
Amb la farina de l’ostalLo buòu dança, l’ase canta
Lo moton ditz sa leiçon
La galina canta lo Credo
E lo cat ditz lo PaterFarewell, Poor Carnival
(English)Farewell, farewell,
Farewell, poor Carnival
You are leaving, and I am staying
Farewell, poor Carnival
You are leaving, and I am staying
To eat garlic soup
To eat oil soup
To eat garlic soup
Farewell, farewell,
Farewell, poor Carnival.The young ones are having a wild time
To greet Carnival
Mary is baking cakes
With flour from her home.The ox is dancing, the donkey’s singing
The sheep is saying its lesson
The hen is singing the Credo
And the cat is saying the Pater.Many thanks to Monique Palomares, of Mama Lisa’s World en français, for teaching me about the tradition of Monsieur Carnival and for translating and singing the song.
Come visit the Mama Lisa’s World Occitan Page for more Occitan Songs.
Venice Carnival Masks
Saturday, February 25th, 2006Last week I talked about the masks you can see at the Venice Carnival.
Today I found a link to a site that sells Venice Carnival Masks. If you’re interested in seeing how some of the Carnival masks look, check it out!
“We Are Going to the Carnival” Song with an mp3 recording
Monday, February 20th, 2006A couple of weeks ago someone was looking for a Carnival song in English. (Carnival is a celebration held in many countries before Lent.)
David Solomons was kind enough to send a nice little song he wrote. It was performed by some children in London in 1979, for a local Carnival that was taking place there. Here’s what David wrote about the song…
We did have a “Carnival” in East London, but it wasn’t Italian style, just a lot of floats (i.e. miniature stages on top of vehicles going around Victoria Park). At that time I was living in the Coventry Cross estate near Bromley by Bow and we had our own float. The idea behind the song “We’re all going to the Carnival” is to mention all the countries represented in that multicultural part of East London, but the name of the estate “Coventry Cross” is the phrase most often heard in the actual rehearsal recording! Ah well!
Even though David’s song mentions local places, I think it’s a catchy tune and that people can adapt the basic song to where they live.
Here’s an MP3 Recording of We Are Going to the Carnival, followed by the lyrics.
We Are Going to the Carnival
by David SolomonsChoir 1
We are going to the Carnival, Carnival, Carnival
We are going to the Carnival, the Carnival todayChoir 2
Coventry Cross, Bromley by Bow
Coventry Cross, Bromley by Bow, we are hereChoir 3
[Names of lots of countries including Scotland, Italy and Trinidad all of which are countries the children's parents came from – all the children were living on the Coventry Cross estate, Bromley by Bow (East London) at the time of the recording (in 1979).]Here’s a photo of some of the kids who sang this song…
I asked David about the tradition of Carnival in England in general. Here’s what he had to say…
I don’t think the Carnival idea was ever particularly big in the UK, although I suppose Shrove Tuesday (i.e. Mardi Gras) was important in the old days. I was quite surprised when the idea was put to me back in 1979 and I never came across it as a local festival subsequently.
Here’s a photo of a mural the kids made for the Carnival…
If you’re interested in seeing photos of Bromley-by-Bow, you can visit Historic Locations in Bromley-by-Bow.
The Carnival song (rehearsal!) was performed in 1979 by the children of the Coventry Cross estate in Bromley by Bow, London, with the assistance and organisational skills of Sister Helen, to whom much thanks is given. Composed and accompanied by David W Solomons.
Many thanks to David W. Solomons for his recording of We Are Going to the Carnival. David is a one man choral singer who has been playing instruments and singing for over 30 years. Here’s a link to David Solomons’ Home Page where you can here more of his music!
Come visit Mama Lisa’s Carnival Blog Page for more about the Carnival and some Carnival Songs.
A French Carnival Song with a Connection to the Commedia dell’Arte in Italy and the Carnival in Venice
Saturday, February 18th, 2006Carnival in Venice, Italy is a time for dressing in costumes and masks, singing and dancing, and even going to masked balls. What’s interesting is that many of the masks used during the Carnival come from the Commedia dell’Arte.
The Commedia dell’Arte was a troup of actors who would travel around Italy and perform comedies outdoors. The characters they used were often the same, so that people became familiar with them. Most of the actors would perform with masks and different characters had their own distinguishable mask.
The characters included Harlequin (an acrobat), Pulcinella (a mean hunchback who goes after women, he was the model for Punch in Punch and Judy), Colombine (Harlequin’s lover), the Captain (a soldier who’s boastful, yet cowardly) and Pierrot (a dreamer and a clown).
Interestingly, some of these Commedia dell’Arte characters made their way into a French Carnival song called Monsieur Carnaval.
Monsieur Carnaval seems to be a French invention. He’s responsible for all the wrongdoing people do throughout the year. At Carnival time in France, Monsieur Carnaval is judged for his behavior throughout the preceding year. Usually he’s found guilty and an effigy of him is burned at the Carnival.
Here are the lyrics to Mr. Carnaval in French, with an English translation…
Monsieur Carnaval
(French)Monsieur Carnaval d’un coup de cymbale
Donne le signal pour ouvrir le bal.
Un polichinelle qui ne danse pas
Attend que sa belle lui donne le brasRefrain:
Zim et boum et tara ta ta
Zim et boum dansons la polka.
Zim et boum et tara ta ta
Zim et boum dansons la polka.Pauvre Colombine a le coeur bien gros
Car chez la voisine s’est enfui Pierrot
Arlequin arrache son masque de soie
Arlequin se fâche cela va de soi.Refrain
Marquis et marquises du temps d’autrefois
Dansent à leur guise la polka du roi.
Quand finit la danse l’on se remercie
D’une réverence et l’on applauditRefrain
Here is Monsieur Carnaval in English…
Mr. Carnival
(English)Mr. Carnival, with a bang on the cymbal
Gives the signal to open the ball.
A Pulcinella that isn’t dancing
Waits for his pretty one to give him an arm.Refrain:
Zim and boom and tara ta ta
Zim and boom, let’s dance the polka.
Zim and boom and tara ta ta
Zim and boom, let’s dance the polka.Poor Colombine has a heavy heart
For Pierrot has escaped to the neighbor’s house
Harlequin tears off his silk mask.
Harlequin loses his temper, it’s obvious.Refrain
The marquis and marquises from another time
Dance, in their costumes, the King’s polka.
When the dance finishes, they thank each other
With reverence, and they applaud.Refrain
Many thanks to Monique Palomares of Mama Lisa’s World en français for help with the translation.
-Lisa
UPDATE: You can see a Carnival Mask Here. Also, click on the comments below for an Italian children’s song that mentions characters from the Comedia dell’arte.
Come visit the Mama Lisa’s World France page for more French children’s songs with their English translations and…
Mama Lisa’s World en français for children’s songs around the world with their French translations.
“Mama Paquita” a Brazilian Carnival Song
Thursday, February 16th, 2006The Carnival in Brazil is held during the days before Ash Wednesday, which is the start of Lent.
Here’s a Brazilian folk song about the Carnival called Mama Paquita. James sent this song in English…
Mama Paquita
Mama Paquita, Mama Paquita,
Mama Paquita, buy your baby a papaya
A ripe papaya and a banana,
A ripe papaya that your baby will enjoy, ma-ma-ma-ma,
Mama Paquita, Mama Paquita,
Mama Paquita says, “I haven’t any money
To buy papayas and ripe bananas,
Let’s go to Carnival and dance the night away!”Mama Paquita, Mama Paquita,
Mama Paquita, buy your baby some pajamas,
A new pajamas, and a sombrero,
A new sombrero that your baby will enjoy, ma-ma-ma-ma,
Mama Paquita, Mama Paquita,
Mama Paquita says, “I haven’t any money
To buy pajamas, and a sombrero,
Let’s go to Carnival and dance the night away!”Many thanks to James for sending Mama Paquita!
If anyone knows the original version of this song, any other versions of it, or if you can send a recording or a midi, please comment below.
Thanks!
Lisa
Come visit the Mama Lisa’s World Brazil Page for Brazilian Children’s Songs and Rhymes.
Carnival and Mardi Gras: Feasting before Fasting
Thursday, February 16th, 2006Carnival and Mardi Gras are big parties that are held before the fasting season of Lent begins for Christians. The celebrations are often the day before, but in some places the Carnival season can last the whole week before Lent.
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is when people go to mass and priests make a cross in ashes on their foreheads, while saying a verse from the Biblical book of Genesis: Remember man, for dust thou art, and to dust thou shall return.
Christians fast for Lent for 40 days, not counting Sundays. The forty days represents the forty days Moses, Elijah and Jesus are all said to have fasted.
Originally, for the fast of Lent, people were only supposed to have one meal a day. They were supposed to refrain from eating meat, eggs, milk, butter, cheese and fish.
That’s why one tradition is for people to eat pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent: to use up their milk and eggs. In England this day is also called Pancake Day.
The word Carnival comes from the word carne levare (which is believed to be of Latin origin), meaning to take away meat, representing the meat it’s not allowable to eat in the upcoming weeks. Although, perhaps Mardi Gras, meaning “Fat Tuesday” in French, makes more sense for this day since it’s a day of eating and partying.
However you celebrate this time, enjoy!
Lisa
Request for a Carnival Song
Tuesday, February 7th, 2006Silvia wrote…
Dear Mama Lisa,
I am Silvia and I teach English in an Italian school of young ladies and sirs aged from 2 to 5 years old!
It is quite impossible to find an English song about Carnival, and I thought you could help me. I know, probably this is more an Italian tradition than a British one (Viareggio, one of the two most important towns for Carnival in Italy, is close to the school!), but it would be enough to have even a lullaby or a funny song.
I really thank you for your help, and wait for your kind reply.
Best Regards
Silvia
***
If anyone knows of any Carnival songs, please comment below.Thanks!
Lisa
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