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The word carnival comes from the Latin word-carnelevarium, which means 'putting away the flesh'. Carn meant flesh, and leavare meant to remove. But levare, could also mean to raise, perhaps the Brazilians wanted to interpret it as raising a gala storm. Brazil was the first country to play host to the carnival. Carnival is a festival of revelry and fun observed in many countries around the world, though its actual form varies from country to country. The exact reason behind the carnival is not known but it appears the carnival had its genesis in a human necessity-that of giving itself a complete holiday from the mundane cares and problems of the daily world.

The joy returns every year for less than a week-five days- in Brazil, before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent which was once a dreary season of penance and abstinence-40 long week days preceding Easter Sunday.

A writer assigned the task of reporting on Carnival in Rio de Janeiro was stunned at the way the carnival was celebrated. Men, women, boys and girls went their own way, did their own thing, remorselessly, unaccountably-without compunctions. And at the end of it, no questions were asked and no lies told. The faveleiros returned to their hovels in the slums, the fazendiros to their gorgeous ranches and at the samba clubs the preparations started afresh for the next year's processions, balls and street dances.

The carnival is a tradition that permeates the entire Christian world. Colorful celebrations take place in Rome, Munich, Paris, Cologne, Rio de Janerio, Buenos-Aires, Montevideo and Nice. The carnival at Venice is especially noted for this celebration. And it is certainly not one without a long tradition behind it.

In ancient Rome, the Royal house used to observe the 17th of February in honour of Fanno-the God shepherds and their flock. These feasts were initiated with animal sacrifices and the sacrificial meat was offered to the wolves, which attacked the flock. It is for this reason that, some believe, the carnival used to be associated with the legendary She-wolf, which brought up the two children Romulo and Remo-founders of the city of Rome. Under the Romans then, the carnival continued more as a religious occasion. With the birth of Christianity, the church began to curb many of the liberties which were being taken during these carnivals. Particularly mentionable is the unfair advantage that participants took by wearing masks during these celebrations.