Carnival
Publié le 22/02/2012
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In Latin countries, a festival held just
before the beginning of the fasting season of LENT.
During Carnival, joviality and rich foods, including
meat, are enjoyed for the last time until EASTER.
Mardi Gras in New Orleans is a good example. By
extension, though, Carnival can be taken to refer
to a type of festival found throughout the religious
world, such as holi in HINDUISM and many of the
matsuri of SHINTO, or in some ways PURIM in JUDAISM,
when "letting go" through song and dance
and ribald humor is the rule. Clowning, drunkenness,
and the mocking even of sacred things may
be in order at such times. Identities may also be
changed as people wear masks and costumes (see
MASKS AND RELIGION). Carnival shows that religion
can sometimes be festive and fun.