The Carnival in Umbria

The word carnival, said carnevale in Umbria, comes from the Latin carnem levare, an expression used in the middle ages which marked the beginning of the lent fast.

Origins of Carnival
A time of the year during which one was not allowed to eat meat (carne in Latin). But like many other festivals of our calendar, it derives from an ancient roman cult the Saturnalia, a pagan rite of fertility which was celebrated in honour of the god Saturn. During those celebrations everything was allowed, even disguising and changing rules. Carnival was modified substantially because of its magic and ritual nature with Christianity, but it was still tolerated by the clergy. During the 15th and 16th century some traditions were recaptured and the use of masks and fancy dress spread all over the country.