2. HISTORY - Many people associate mascaras (masks) with Carnaval. The traditions of wearing mascaras goes back to ancient pagan rituals. One disguised oneself for protection against evil spirits at a time when these spirits were thought to be wandering about. The word Carnaval comes from Latin meaning "Goodbye to the flesh" which refers to the 40 days of Cuaresma (Lent) during which time the Christians, Roman Catholics in particular, would not eat meat. There were many other restrictions during the 40 days of fasting and praying. In the 1800's the end of Cuaresma meant the end of drinking and the end of eating certain foods. Meat was replaced by fish and eggs; the wild colorful clothing was replaced by dark gloomy attire. the partying stopped. Even marriages did not take place during the 40 solemn days of Cuaresma. Therefore, the days preceeding Cuaresma became days of carefree abandon and indulgence. Wild behavior was accepted as a necessary outlet. These days, called the Carnaval season, officially started el seis de enero (Jan. 6th, Epiphany) and continued until midnight on the martes antes del miercoles de Ceniza (Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, "Shrove" Tuesday usually falls in February or March). Most Carnaval celebrations now take place during the week before miercoles de Ceniza.

3. ESPANA - Carnaval is celebrated throughout Spain but it is especially popular in the south. The city of Cadiz, for example, is well-known for its desfiles (parades), elegant processions and elaborate costumes. In most areas of Spain, Carnaval is celebrated during the week before miercoles de Ceniza. Students do not have classes during this week because there are dias de fiestas. A cohete (a rocket) is fired to open the celebraciones. Then the streets fill with trajes de colores (colorful costumes) and floats. The desfiles and bailes de enmarcarados (masked balls) play a big part in the Carnaval celebrations. In de region de Galicia, las celebraciones include el Faraleiro which is a celebracion where people throw farina y salvado (flour and bran). Another Galician custom is el Corredeiro, a day when the gallos (roosters) are set loose to run through the streets. No matter where you are in Spain, Carnaval ends at midnight el martes antes de miercoles de Ceniza. Sometimes una muneca de paja (a straw doll) - which represents Carnaval - is burned to mark the end of the Carnaval season.

4. The next day, el miercoles de Ceniza, there is another ceremony called El Entierro de la Sardina (Burial of the Sardine). The "fun times" are buried because it is now la Cuaresma - a time of fasting and praying. The sardina is a symbol which reminds the people that now they will be eating fish instead of meat. (Catholics still observe the tradition of not eating meat on miercoles de Ceniza and on Fridays during la Cuaresma). In the "old days" a real sardina was used in the mock funeral processsion but now a sardina plastica is often used. The people in the funeral procession are dressed in black. The men wear suits and chesteras (top hats). The women wear vestidos negros (black dresses) and velos negos (black veils). The women pretend to cry as they walk to the river. When they reach the river, the sardina is thrown into the river or sometimes it is burned instead. Later this day, people go to church where they receive cenizas in the form of a cross on their foreheads. (The custom of El Entierro dela Sardina is no longer observed in some areas of Spain).

5. VENEZUELA - Venezuelans in Caracas celebrate Carnaval the four days preceding miercoles de Ceniza. They choose el rey y la reina (king and queen) or Carnaval to reign over the Carnaval events. There are bailes de enmarscarados y fiestas. Salsa music fills the air and there is dancing in the streets. People bombard each other with confetti - a few people even throw eggs and tomatoes. Water fights used to be a popular activity but now the police will fine or arrest people that throw globos de agua (water balloons) in the streets because it has caused car accidents. COLOMBIA - The Carnaval de Barranquilla is called Joselito Carnaval and begins four days before miercoles de Ceniza. The alcalde (major) opens the festivities which begin with a batalla de flores (battle of flowers). Then comes four days of desfiles, fiestas y bailes de enmascarados. Children get in on the fun too. They fill cascarones (egg shells) with colored water and throw them at each other. They also enjoy throwing globos de agua which are sometimes filled with perfumed water. MEXICO - Carnaval is not celebrated everywhere in Mexico but it is popular in Merida, Varacruz and Mazatlan. In Mexico the Carnaval celebrations are called carnestoladoes. Like many other Hispanics, Mexicans celebrate Carnaval with desfiles and bailes de enmascarados. They also dance in the streets to the music of the mariachi bands and attend bullfights.

6. La Reina de Carnaval

7. Uruguay Desfile de Llamadas

13. Un espectaculo en el teatro para Carnaval

15. Modern Carnaval Therefore, the most popular carnavals take place in Spain, Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela and Columbia. Modern carnavals begin with masked ball, people attending bull- fights and dancing in the streets to salsa music. They also throw eggs and tomatoes at houses and at one another. Children also get into the act; they throw egg shells with colored water. Mardi Gras would be a similar celebration here in the United States. These take place mainly in the south, in such cities such as New Orleans and Mobile. There are parades and balls. http://www.livio.com/carnaval/ http://www.candombe.com/english.html