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Carnival in Mexico

By Suzanne Barbezat

Carnival is held the week prior to Ash Wednesday

Throughout the Catholic world, Carnival is a big celebration with the purpose of getting all the craziness out of people’s systems, so they’ll be ready for the solemnity of Lent.

Though celebrations vary by region, the biggest Carnivals usually begin with the Quema del Mal Humor, or burning of ill humor. This is usually an effigy of an unpopular political figure and the burning symbolically represents leaving behind everyday worries and concerns so that the merriment can begin. This kicks off the festivities which include the crowning of a Carnival Queen, and the King — sometimes referred to as the Rey Feo, or “Ugly King.” There are parades, live entertainment, dances, and carnival games.

Festivities end on Mardi Gras, “Fat Tuesday,” or Martes de Carnaval, when another effigy is burned, this one called “Juan Carnaval,” which represents all the wanton revelry associated with Carnival. This marks the end of the debauchery and return to temperance. On Ash Wednesday folks will go to church to receive ashes and the abstinence of Lent will begin.

El Carnaval en Mexico

El Carnaval se celebra una semana antes del miércoles de ceniza

En el mundo Católico el Carnaval es una celebración que sirve para sacar todas las locuras del sistema de las personas para que estén preparados para la solemnidad de la cuaresma.

Las celebraciones varían de acuerdo a la región. Lo más importante empieza con la quema del mal humor. Esto regularmente es la quema de un figurín de algún mal político, y la quema representa dejar atrás las preocupaciones diarias para que la alegría llegue. Esto es el principio de las festividades que incluyen la coronación de la Reyna del Carnal y la coronación del Rey, que usualmente se le llama el Rey Feo, se hacen desfiles, entretenimiento, bailables y juegos carnavalescos.

Las festividades terminan con el Martes Gordo, que se representa con otro figurín que es quemado, este se lama Juan Carnaval, que representa la gula y la irresponsabilidad asociado con el carnaval. Esto marca el final de la depravación y regresa la abstinencia. En el miércoles de ceniza las personas van a la iglesia a recibir la ceniza y la abstinencia.

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