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presence since in the past Carnival is said to have been the occasion for liquidating old feuds.

The bands fall into two groups, and are known as such, according to their sexual orientations.  B.G. was known as a heterosexual group.  All bands have a supernatural protector, a lwa (vodou spirit).  For the homosexual bands it is Ogun Nago (also known as St. Jacques).  They are ritually protected from magical battles with other bands.

Carnival overlaps with Rara (see below) and expresses some of the same themes.  However, while Rara is lower class, carnival has some middle/and upper class participation, and memories of a time when “fashionable society” had its own carnival balls, masquerades and parodies.  An article in La Rélève by Candelon Rigaud (July 1936:23–27).  “Le carnaval d'antan” (“old times carnival”) tells of fashionable society events, including a mock marriage between two young men, where all the “bridesmaids” were cross-dressing young men.  It appears that the regime of President Lescot (1941–6) banned carnival and with it the upper-class celebration.  While upper-class people no longer participate in the public carnival, people get into cars to see what is going on and the presence of these cars becomes a spectacle in itself. 

On Ash Wednesday, to maintain tradition, Mardi Gras costumes and especially masks are burnt—token fashion—in poor districts, such as La Saline. 

Rara or Lwalwadi (PH317, 330–52, EH352):

Rara (or Lwalwadi) follows Carnival, with activities peaking during Holy Week.  There is some overlap between the two in bands and activities.  [For a detailed description and analysis of Rara, see Elizabeth A. McAlister:  2002.]

 

 

 

Continued

Table of Contents, Collection B | Table of Contents, Collection C

Page last revised: July 31, 2007

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