I always used to think that Carnival was just a word for festival or when the circus/amusement park came to town. I guess this was compounded by my, limited, knowledge of the Notting Hill carnival in London which always happens in August.
In fact, traditionally Carnival has religious roots.
The word for meat in Spanish is Carne and comes from the Latin word Carno or Carnes in the plural form. The second part of the name has debated origins. It is either "
carne levare" (to leave meat)
"carne vale" to say farewell to meat or some schoolars even suspect that it is actually from an old Roman festival
carrus navalis.
What ever the true origin of the word, Carnival marks
the beginning of lent and is a time of excess before the time of moderation.
Are all Carnivals the same?
Carnivals are common in traditionally Catholic countries though there are some in traditionally Protestant countries too (such as the Notting Hill Carnival) though they usually deviate more.
In Venice the carnival is very ornate with incredible masks and decorations.
Where as in Brazil it is much more extravagant in other ways.
Badajoz is actually recognised as having the third largest carnival in Spain and many people from around the region of Extramedura visit to see the sites.
The History of Badajoz Carnival
Considering Badajoz's size you might find it's large carnival a surprise...well it is. The story is that some 25 years ago the people in Badajoz suddenly all decided to start celebrating in the street. Everyone went outside, got dressed up and had a party.
There may be no truth in the story but now Badajoz has a very unique Carnival. The parade is not something that happens in every Spanish City (Madrid doesn't even have one) almost everyone get's dressed up on the Saturday and Monday night, The Murgas (a singing and dancing troop) are more common in Argentina and Uruguay and I haven't found a single other place which holds the "funeral of the sardines" on Shrove Tuesday.
