Happy Carnaval!
Greece is a big partier when it comes to many things but particularly Carnaval gets a little crazy. Not surprising, considering it is an evolution of Dionysian celebrations, where the ancients would dress up as satyrs and run around in mega-trickster energy, to prank folks and tease the erotic expression out of all. It is thought that this practice developed into Saturnalia or Lupercalia in the Roman Empire, after the conquering of Greece, which is where Valentine's Day also comes from. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Of course, it all had to become Christianized as well, so this wild time is now cloaked in the Christian mantle in various ways.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
WHAT IS CARNAVAL, ACTUALLY?
Today is the beginning of Carnaval or beginning of Triode, which leads to lent, which then leads to Easter, rebirth and the return of Spring. The entire period is called Τριώδιο (Triodio - three odes) because of the three Christian odes that were included in the first religious text written in 1522CE for the purpose of these celebrations and establishing the period of lent. ⠀⠀⠀
The four-week period before lent is known wholly as Apokria/Apokries from the Greek words από+κρέω, meaning "without meat". It is because the third of the four odes, the Apokreo, is sung on the third Sunday, a week before lent begins on Clean Monday, and encourages folks to stop eating meat. It then ushers in the week of Tirofagou (cheese eater). The etymology is similar to Carnaval which comes from the Latin carne+levare, "stopping meat consumption".⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
For Greeks, this is the period to go nuts before lent starts and we go into the usual piety (yeah, right!). Still, this is a custom that has been celebrated since antiquity and has so much cultural richness as it is celebrated differently in all parts of the country.
SPIRIT KNOWS
The first week of the Triode began on Sunday, with the parable/ode of the Pharisee and the Publican/tax collector. If you're not super familiar with the story, it really doesn't matter to Carnaval but the cool takeaway is: 1) Spirit knows if you're full of shit and 2) you need to be accountable and self-aware.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This first week is known as Profoni/Προφωνή (common slang word to mean announcement) because the town criers would announce that the Apokries have begun. It is also known as Amoliti/Αμόλυτη (unpolluted) as it was believed that the spirits from the Underworld would come up and roam with the living. I love the concept of sacredness for the dead this term brings.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The themes of the whole period come from Antiquity, particularly the celebration known as Anthestiria/Ανθεστήρια, which took place in honor of Dionysus and Chthonic Hermes and was celebrated around the same time.
WHY DO PEOPLE DRESS UP FOR CARNAVAL?
As mentioned previously, the celebration of Apokries in Greece is a christianized remnant of an ancient celebration. In Ancient Greece, it used to be a celebration in honor of Dionysus, the god of wine and partying. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
It was all about the human stuff, a different way of connecting to the divine. It was the otherworldly trickery, the fun, the wine, the sex, the drugs, and the rock n roll. It was celebrated at the end of the winter season when people felt good about surviving the winter and need to blow off steam while they are looking forward to spring.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
It was thought that to dress up in costume and wear masks would ward off the evil spirits of winter and attract the party god's attention as a respite from the hardship of winter. It was also thought that since the dead were roaming this plane of existence, you needed to be extra protected. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Does this sound reminiscent of Halloween? What other traditions around the world involve dressing up and celebrating as a divine act? Share your thoughts and let’s explore the global tapestry of festive practices together!
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