Mi-Carême | The Canadian Encyclopedia

Article

Mi-Carême

Mi-Carême, Mid-Lent, in French Canadian tradition, is the time when people dress up in disguise and go from house to house asking for treats, singing and dancing in the Mumming tradition.
Mi-Carême participants.
Image: University of Moncton/Centre d'études acadiennes Anselme-Chiasson.
Mi-Carême participants.
Image: University of Moncton/Centre d'études acadiennes Anselme-Chiasson.

Mi-Carême, Mid-Lent, in French Canadian tradition, is the time when people dress up in disguise and go from house to house asking for treats, singing and dancing in the Mumming tradition. An interesting variation is found in parts of Acadia, where the Mi-Carême becomes a kind of St Nicholas figure: a person disguised as an old woman mummer distributes treats to good children. Mi-Carêmes are also used as frightening figures, and as bringers of children (in place of storks or cabbages).