Alaaf and Helau!
What is the difference between carnival and carnival?
© Kotarl / Brigitte
Carnival, carnival, carnival – is it all the same or is there a difference? We clarify.
“Oh yes, now it’s carnival time,” some say. “That means Carnival!”, the others counter. But what’s true? Is one side right or maybe even both?
What is behind the terms “Carnival” and “Fasching”.
Simply put: at carnival and carnival celebrated the same festival, namely Lent in Christianity. It runs from Ash Wednesday to Easter. However, if we take a closer look at the origin of the terms, there is a small but subtle difference. Will he be remembered in today’s parades and celebrations? Doubtful.
Because the word carnival comes from the Middle Low German term “Vaschang”, the serving of the fasting drink. Means: The focus is on the last alcoholic drink before Lent.
It is not clear where the term carnival comes from. However, it is believed that it was derived from the Middle Latin words “de carne levare ieiunium” (fasting by taking away meat) and the Italian expression “carne vale” (meat, farewell). The focus here is on avoiding meat.
Carnival or Mardi Gras? Depends on the region
Ultimately, today it depends more on the location whether people are talking about carnival or carnival. The former is particularly popular in North Rhine-Westphalia and the Rhineland, as well as in some parts of northern Germany. Carnival, on the other hand, occurs in areas of Bavaria, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein and beyond Germany also in Austria. A third common term: Carnival. This is mainly used in Baden-Württemberg, Hesse and Saarland.
Further differences in terms: Jecken, Fools, Helau, Alaaf
In addition to the general term for the current time, we also hear different terms again and again, Helau and Alaaf, Jecken and Fools. This again depends on the region: everywhere people talk about the time of fools, but in the Rhineland it is the jesters who celebrate, elsewhere the fools. Alaaf, which means “above everything”, is said particularly in Cologne, Aachen, Leverkusen and Bonn. Helau, presumably similar to “Hallelujah”, is used by people in Düsseldorf, Koblenz and Mainz. In Saarland they rely a lot on “Alleh hopp”, in other regions animal sounds like “Wau-Wau” are also popular.
So: depending on where we are, pick out the appropriate terms and plunge into the tumult. At least those who like it. Traditionally, the season starts on November 11th at 11:11 a.m But the wedding is right now, starting with the women’s carnival on February 8th and running until Ash Wednesday on February 14th. In between, the days are called Carnival Friday (also Sooty Friday), Carnival Saturday (also Schmalziger Saturday), Carnival Sunday (also Rose, Tulip, Shrovetide or Mardi Gras Sunday), Rose Monday and Carnival Tuesday (also Mardi Gras, Shrovetide or Violet Tuesday).
Sources used: brisant.de, focus.de