History
The festival of Carnaval is celebrated as a last indulgence of
carnal pleasures that Catholics must give up for 40 days of fasting
during Lent, from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday. In fact, the
word Carnaval is derived from Latin, meaning take away or goodbye
to flesh, and strict Catholics will give up meat eating during
Lent.
Carnaval
is officially celebrated for 5 days, leading up to Ash Wednesday,
with the most vigorous celebration taking place over the one weekend
in Mexico. The wearing of masks during Carnaval is said to be
a pagan practice as protection from evil spirits, but most likely
evolved as a way to participate fully in the celebration with
some anonymity.
Bring
the family and enjoy a traditional picnic on the sidewalk as colorful
processions fill the streets in the city on the Baja Peninsula.
