LE CARNAVAL
Background Information
The world's alrgest winter carnaval takes place for ten days every winter in Québec City. It begins two weeks before Lent and ends on Shrove Tuesday.
The first official Carnaval was held in 1874 and its purpose was to add some gaiety and fun to the long, cold winter.
Sculptures made of snow and ice were early symbols of the Carnaval and were plentiful in the streets of the village.
Several carnivals were held between 1874 and 1955, however, there was a bleak period in the 1930's due to the Depression and a scarcity of money.
In 1954, it was decided by civic officials and businessmen of Québec city that an annual winter Carnaval would be a major tourist attraction.
Since 1955, the success of Carnaval has continued to escalate. More than half a million people visit the city of Québec to partake in the festivities, and the reputation of Carnaval is world renowned.
SYMBOLS OF THE CARNAVAL
Le Bonhomme
The most famous symbol of Carnaval is Le Bonhomme. His outfit includes a black-buttoned white coat, white mittens, a red tuque and a "ceinture fléchée: or traditional sash.
One month before Carnaval, Le Bonhomme arrives to receive the keys of the city and becomes master of Québec.
Le Bonhomme presides as host at all Carnaval festivities, dances, parties, contests and events.
Souvenirs of Le Bonhomme are sold everywhere and his picture can be seen in store windows, in buildings and on the streets.
La Ceinture Fléchée
La ceinture fléchée was at one time part of the dress of the early fur trappers. Souvenirs of la ceinture can be bought almost everywhere during Carnaval.
The Duchés, Duchess and Carnival Queen
Québec City is divided into seven duchés during Carnaval time. (Cartier, Chaplain, Frontenac, Laval, Lévis, Montcalm and Montmorency)
Traditionally the Carnaval queen was chosen through the sale of candles. Candles are sold before the Carnaval and their sales help finance all the Carnaval events which are free to the public. Buying a candle gives the purchaser a chance to win many valuable prizes. For every candle sold, a ticket is put into a barrel and on the opening night of Carnaval, names are drawn from the barrel. The first duchess to have her name pulled five times becomes La Reine du Carnaval.
Place Carnaval
Place Carnaval is the location of the magnificent Ice Palace and also the area where many of the Carnaval activities take place. At Place Carnaval, Carnaval is officially opened and the Queen is crowned.
In the Cabane à Sucre, maple taffy can be tasted and the process of making maple syrup is demonstrated.
The music and decorative lighting make Place Carnaval a focal point of the festivities.0
Carnaval Activities
Les duchés
The class is divided into seven "duchés", each with a "duchesse" or "duc". The object of the competition is to collect as many points as possible. Each duché is given five votes or tickets. Then, for the duration of the study, votes or tickets are accumulated and put into a barrel. The teacher may decide when and how to give tickets (i.e. correct answers on quizzes, participation in class, carnaval-related contests). At the end of the study, names are drawn from the barrel and the first duc or duchesse to have been drawn five times becomes the winner for the duché.
(An Introduction to Methodology, Grades 4-8, Saskatchewan Education, June 1990)
UNE DANSE FOLKLORIQUE
les hommes 
les dames 
| 1. | Le salut - (a) starting with their right foot, partners walk toward each other taking four steps forward - the women curtsy and the men nod their heads. (b) partners back up taking four steps (starting with the right foot). | ||
| 2. | Promenade à droite (à gauche) - All join hands in a circle and beginning with the right foot walk 8 steps to the right and then 8 steps to the left. | ||
| 3. | Le dos à dos (count of eight) - (1) partners walk around each other always facing the same way (starting on right foot and going around right side of partner). (b) Le dos à dos is repeated except partners go around left side of partner. | ||
| 4. | Le crochet - The move is very similar to le dos à dos
except partners lock right elbows to twirl and then lock left elbows to twirl. the right twirl takes 8
measures. Partners should return to their places to do the left twirl.
|
||
| 5. | Le swing (count of 16) - Partners join arms (as in regular dance step) and pivot on their right feet for a count of 16. | ||
| 6. | L'étoile - Facing into the circle, the women walk in 4 steps and join right hands. They then walk to their right for a count of 8. They switch to their left hand and circle to the left for a count of 8. While the women do this, the men keep in time in their spots. Once l'étoile is finished, the women walk 4 steps back to the large circle and the men then go through this step. | ||
| 7. | All join hands and walk 4 steps into the centre of the circle, shout and then retrace their steps. |
Debbie Mcdonald and Ruth Zuk
Disque Une veillée de bon vieux temps avec les Sorilèges.
A. Les danseurs sont en couple, face à face. (Formation: deux lignes).
 |
les garçon les filles |
| B. | Ils avancent vers leurs partenaires, en comptant "UN, DEUX-TU,
DUEX, TROIS"! Au "UN, DEUX, TROIS" chacun frappe les mains sur les cuisses, frappeses propres
mains et ensuite les mains du partenaire.
 |
C. Ils reculent (UN, DEUX, TROIS, QUATRE)
Répéter B et C.
D. Ensuite, c'est le dos à dos, épaule gauche (à HUIT):
et le dos à dos, épaule droite (à HUIT)
Tout le monde est encore à sa place, face à face à son partenaire. Tout le monde
frappe des mains et tape des pieds.
Couple #1 fait la chassée d'un bout à l'autre. Ils se donnent les mains et font la chassée
entre les deux lignes:
Et l'on recommence dès le début.
