The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

LENTEN CUSTOM -- FASENACHT

FASENACHT OR KAVENEVAL IS A HOLIDAY CELEBRATED EVERY TUESDAY
BEFORE ASH WEDNESDAY. THIS CELEBRATION RESEMBLES MARDI GRAS
CELEBRATIONS, BUT ALSO HAS POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS. THE DAY BEGINS
WITH A PARADE. MANY PEOPLE HAVE MASKS AND COSTUMES ON AND PARADE
DOWN MAIN STREET. THE MAYOR AND THE PRESIDENT GIVE THE KEY TO THE
CITY TO A PRINCE AND PRINCESS WHO ARE CHOSEN IN A MANNER SIMILAR
TO OUR BEAUTY CONTESTS. AT NIGHT, FESTIVITIES INCLUDE SPEECHES,
PROGRAMS, DANCING, AND EATING. THE MEAL INCLUDES SAUERKRAUT AND
SALTED PORK CHOPS (RIPPCHEN). THE PROGRAM INCLUDES POLITICAL
MIMICKERY OF OFFICIALS, THEIR MISTAKES, AND THEIR BLUNDERINGS.
OTHER PROGRAMS CENTER AROUND SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS --MARRAIGES,
FOR INSTANCE -- THAT ARE OF SPECIAL INTEREST. A TYPICAL TOPIC,
OF THESE PROGRAMS, FOR INSTANCE, IS THE MARRAIGE OF ARI AND JACKIE
THE MAYOR GIVES A SPEECH, SPECIAL SONGS OF THE TIMES ARE SUNG,
AND AFTER THIS PROGRAM, THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS PRESENT MEDALS
FOR THE BEST ACT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BEAUTY SHOP ; TOLD IN

Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS CUSTOM

Date learned: UNKNOWN

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