THE MI-CARÊME
A joyous break in the middle of Lent
After people had thoroughly celebrated Mardi gras, Ash Wednesday started the lengthy Lent period. People from the ages of 21 to 60 were required to respect Lent. This involved fasting every day except for Sunday. And there was nothing random about this. People were allowed one meal per day, generally at noon. Mornings and evenings, they limited their intake to very light foods. Lent was also characterized by severe restrictions concerning leisure and social activities.
But this period of penitence and privation was interrupted by a day of celebration. In fact, the third Thursday after Ash Wednesday, people celebrated the Mi-Carême (literally the middle of Lent) which provided a joyous break for all. During the evening, as in the case of Mardi gras, everyone took part in a party, either at their home or at the home or a neighbour.
As in the case of Mardi gras, the children returned home early from school and would don disguises and wander about their neighbourhood in the hope of receiving a few sweets. The adults would finish their work earlier and join the young people in their round of visits. In preparation, the women would cook up a storm as they did for major festivals and the tables would be laden with platters containing all kinds of delicacies, from stews and fricassee to pies, cakes and crepes. Everyone would have an excellent appetite – after all, they’d been tightening their belts for 23 days. Needless to say, the plates would be emptied in the blink of an eye. Since alcohol was also permitted, people willingly imbibed.
While the household rang with the clinking of plates, a sweet odor would tempt noses sharpened by a lengthy fast, the scent of the Mi-Carême toffee. On a stove or in an oven, molasses and maple syrup would boil with a most appetizing sizzle. The woman of the household would stir the mixture from time to time, with a large wooden spoon, as the precious liquid got thicker and thicker. In just a few more minutes, the “merrymakers” could eat toffee to their heart’s delight. At that time, it was impossible to think of a Mi-Carême or St. Catherine’s day without toffee.
On several occasions during the long, lively evening, a heavy pounding would make everyone gathered in the home jump. Someone was knocking on the door. In the doorway, men and women who were wearing masks (or had blackened their faces with soot) and strange clothing would interrupt the celebration. In French this was called “courir la Mi-Carême”, which refers to neighbours and friends coming along to join the group of merrymakers. In certain regions, an old woman with a nasal voice would make an appearance, personifying the “Mi-Carême”.
When the “Mi-Carême” arrived, it was tradition to offer this old lady a small shot of rum, to help her warm up. Once she had slaked her thirst, she would make a tour of the main room. Stopping in front of each person there, she would place her large, dark, cloth bag on the floor and take out a mysterious white paper cone. Everyone received a gift, depending on whether they had behaved well or poorly. People who have been good would receive candies or sweets. People who had been naughty would receive frozen potatoes or nut shells. The old lady would often make very impertinent comments about each individual. Her role entitled her to a certain amount of honesty that would entertain those gathered and embarrass her target.
The children waited for their turn impatiently, but also with a certain amount of trepidation, since their misdeeds were announced for all to hear, to the amusement of their parents.
Once the paper cones had been distributed, the party continued with a round dance without musical accompaniment. During Lent, boisterous celebrations were avoided. Despite this, everyone managed to have a good time.
The next day, people once again became serious and ardently continued their Lenten activities. Soon it would be time for Holy Week, filled with a wealth of popular rites and highly dramatic religious ceremonies that culminated in Easter. The best of all spring celebrations, Easter brought an end to this period of sacrifice.
This is the final chronicle on Celebrations in St.Lawrence Valley. We invite you to return on March 8, 2005 for a new theme.
Sources:
PROVENCHER, Jean. Les Quatre saisons dans la vallée du Saint-Laurent, Montréal, Boréal Express, 1996, 605 p.
DESAUTELS, Yvon. Les coutumes de nos ancêtres, Montréal, Les éditions Paulines, 1984, 55 p.