One of the funniest parties for children is Carnival, since they can wear costumes and play to be any other character. But as with many other celebrations that take place throughout the year, it is enjoyed without taking into account the origin and meaning of the festival. This happens especially with children, they grow up knowing parties and celebrations. But on few occasions we stop to explain the meaning of the festivities.
Carnival has its meaning and its origin and therefore, it is important that children know its history. Because in addition to dressing up, singing and dancing, we can enrich their culture from a very young age. For this reason, today we are going to make a simple and easy-to-tell summary. So that the little ones can understand the history of Carnival and even so that they can tell it to their friends.
The origins of Carnival
It is not possible to know exactly where or on what date the celebration of Carnival began, since its origin is remote centuries before the birth of Christ. According to historians, the celebration of Carnival arises in ancient Greece and Egypt. Where pagan festivals in honor of mythological gods were traditional, such as Bacchus who was the Roman god of wine.
Carnival is also directly associated with crops and harvests, where festivals were held around the fire, the elements and the need for a favorable time for the crops to be fruitful.
Despite not being a festival associated with Catholicism, the truth is that this celebration is it is widespread in mainly Catholic countries. In fact, the dates of the Carnival festivities are marked by the beginning of Lent. Which is the time that marks the Church until the beginning of the Easter period.
Ultimately, there is a lot of data about Carnival and all of them, curious and important since they are part of history. To make this story easier, so that children can understand it, we are going to make a special summary for the little ones.
The history of Carnival for children
«Carnival was born many years ago, long before Christ was born. When the peasants met in the summer to celebrate the good harvests and ask the gods to protect them from evil spirits. Around a bonfire the men painted themselves and covered their faces with masks while they danced.
However, the first Carnival festival known as such took place in Egypt. For a few days the Egyptians hid the social class to which they belonged with a mask in the face. And they met in the streets to sing and dance. It was a pagan festival.
Later the Romans began to celebrate this festival at the beginning of spring. They did it in honor of Momo, the god of fun and mockery. And during this festival, which they called carrus navalis, Bacchus, the god of wine, was paraded through the streets on a ship with wheels. All the people danced and had fun around him.
Later, in the Middle Ages, it was customary to call Carnival a "party of madness." Because people liked to play jokes in public places hidden behind a disguise. The Catholic Church tried to avoid it, but as it was unsuccessful it incorporated the festival into its calendar. And he came to consider it a period of joy and merriment before beginning Lent, a time of prayer and abstinence.
The festivities lasted three days before Ash Wednesday. The custom spread throughout Europe, and came to America from the hand of the conquerors. In Spain, during the reign of the Catholic Monarchs, people dressed up to play pranks on friends and family. But when Carlos I arrived, he prohibited the party, because it violated security measures.
His son Felipe II and his grandson Felipe III, continued with the prohibition. until Felipe IV again gave permission for it to be celebrated this ancient custom.
Today Carnivals are celebrated in many countries of the world. And despite the cultural differences that exist between them, for a few days everything is joy. And the dances, parades and costumes are something that unites them all. "
Source: Color notebook