The month of February means it’s Carnival time! It’s a festival in Spain which changes date depending on when Holy Week falls, as it ends just before the start of Lent. In this article, we’re going to dive into the cultural roots of carnival in Spain, learn more about how it’s celebrated, and also learn some vocabulary related to this holiday in Spanish. Let’s get started!
What is carnival? What is its origin?
Carnivals are one of the most exciting and colourful parties around the world. To begin, let’s climb into our imaginary time machine and see when this celebration started: the Carnival is a celebration with ancient provenance and a rich history which varies a lot from one culture to another. Although it’s difficult to determine the origin of the Carnival and how it’s evolved throughout the centuries, it’s estimated that its origin dates back more than 5,000 years and is related to ancient pagan festivals. One example is the Roman Saturnalia, a festival honouring Saturn that included banquets alongside exchanging gifts gifts and parading through the streets.
With the expansion of Christianity, many Pagan traditions were adapted to Christian ones, which spread throughout the world. For example, the Carnival in Spain is celebrated in different regions around the country, like the famous Tenerife or Cádiz carnivals. They are known for chirigotas (choral folksong) and comparsas (carnival performers), which will be explained in more detail below. For these events, people wear over the top costumes and participate in parades, accompanied by music and dance.
Carnival in Tenerife: This carnival, considered one of the biggest in the world, is celebrated in Tenerife, an island part of the Canary Islands. Its parades are full of colour, music and dance, and attract people from all around the world. One of the most significant moments is when candidates compete in incredibly elaborate costumes, in the hope of being chosen as the Queen of the Carnival.
Carnival in Cádiz: In the city of Cadiz, carnival is synonymous with humour. Chirigotas are bands who perform silly and satirical songs about current events. They also hold a comparsas competition, where groups compete for the title of the best comparsa of the year.
However, and as we’ve already said, carnival isn’t just a Spanish thing – it’s also celebrated all around the world! In Rio de Janeiro, in Brasil, their carnival is famous for its dazzling samba parades. The Venice carnival, in Italy, is known for its elaborate masks and even more elegant costumes.
What words do we use to celebrate Carnival?
If you visit the Carnival in Spain, it’s very likely that you’ll hear some of the following words:
- El disfraz (costume): clothes used to hide your identity during the carnival.
- La máscara (mask): an object which covers the face and is used to add mystery or emotion to carnival costumes.
- La fiesta de disfraces (costume party): a celebration where people wear costumes and participate in activities to do with the carnival.
- El confeti y las serpentinas (confetti and streamers): small pieces of colourful paper and streamers, which are thrown during the parades and celebrations to add a pop of colour and happiness.
- Desfile (parade): a public procession, often accompanied by music and dance, where people dressed in costumes participate.
- Ser carnavalero/a (to be a party goer): a person who actively participates and loves carnival festivities.
- La Reina del Carnaval (the Carnival Queen): a woman chosen to represent the beauty and happiness of the carnival in events and parades.
- La comparsa (carnival performers): a group of people who dress in matching clothes and perform dances and music during the carnival. It’s a word which is used in Cádiz.
- La chirigota (choral folksong): a musical group who performs silly songs during Cádiz’s carnival.
If you have a Carnival in your country, how do you celebrate?
Martina Dioletta
Traducido de la versión española de Sara Castanedo.
