This was a fun group of Mi-Carêmes at Le Centre de la Mi-Carême in Grand-Étang.
-by Rosie Aucoin-Grace
It’s that time of the year, when Acadians in our county prepare for a very exciting festival La Mi-Carême, which will take place from March 8th – 14th. Many residents are looking forward to this event, a respite from the harshness of the long winter months. Yes, one can feel it in the air, the planning, reminiscing of years past, basically the buzz of the town for many. Some Mi-Carême enthusiasts from away return to Chéticamp and area, year after year for the week-long festival. It is a rooted part of the Acadian heritage which brings together young and old through the days and nights.
For our readers who may be hearing of this tradition for the first time, Mi-Carême (Mid-Lent) is a centuries-old, Acadian tradition. It occurs on the third Thursday of Lent, marking a break from the 40-day, formerly strict, fasting period. It is celebrated in the winter as a joyous, costumed break halfway between Ash Wednesday and Easter. Participants (“runners”) disguise themselves in masks and costumes to visit homes designated as Mi-Carême houses, dance, and play music, challenging hosts to guess their identity, followed by sharing food and drinks. Once celebrated for a day, it has now become a full week festival.
This ancient tradition developed in France to give everyone an opportunity to celebrate and escape his or her Lenten duties. This celebration remains a vibrant living tradition in several Acadian regions of Eastern Canada. In our county, Chéticamp, Saint-Joseph-du-Moine, Grand-Étang, and Margaree, in Fatima on the Magdalen Islands, and in Natashquan and Pointe-Parent in Quebec’s Côte Nord region, the annual Mid-Lent outing is a rich tradition that has survived since the arrival of the first settlers. On Prince Edward Island, in the Tignish and Palmer Road parishes, a number of families have kept alive another tradition: the annual visit of the mysterious Mi-Carême, a mythical (female) figure who brings sweets to well-behaved children. These communities have maintained traditions of French origin formerly known throughout Acadia as well as in several regions of the Province of Quebec.
There have been many legendary people who have kept this tradition alive and encouraged many to keep it going. Just to name a few, in the village of Saint-Joseph-du-Moine, the late Joseph (à Polite) Delaney was known for his love of life, his contagious humour and his sense of community spirit. He was full of fun and never missed the opportunity to participate in local festivities such as La Chandeleur, La Mi-Carême, weddings, school concerts, etc. He was forever trying to instill the importance of old traditions and keeping them alive and thriving. His daughter Ethel Haché has been hosting Mi-Carêmes for over 40 years, following in her father’s footsteps of carrying the torch so to speak.
Who could ever forget the late Gerard (à Moise) Romard who was a die-hard Mi-Carême lover? Even when he lived away, Gerry tried to come home every year to participate. Once he moved back to Saint-Joseph-du-Moine, his unwavering encouragement to keep this tradition alive was contagious.
You have the late Paul-Emile and Marie-Louise Aucoin who were Mi-Carême hosts for over forty years. This was a very popular house to visit during this festival. As well, there was the late Joseph Léo Muise and his wife Marie, who hosted for over fifty years. Their daughter Lisette still welcomes Mi-Carêmes annually, a very popular stop for the runners. Of course, there are many others.
We cannot speak about La Mi-Carême without thinking of Charles D. Roach, better known to us as “Charlie Dan,” who recently passed away. He was a such a supporter of this tradition and would start talking about La Mi-Carême at the start of the new year. Charlie Dan was often concerned about this custom being faded out, but in recent years he was relieved to see that the whole community gets involved, our youth are on board, many from away come home for the festival, outsiders participate, and this tradition is still alive and thriving.
He even sang and recorded a song written by Jules Chiasson, “Les Mi-Carêmes sont arrives” which plays continuously on Radio CKJM prior and during the festival. Annually, to launch La Mi-Carême, he and Marie-Stella Doucet would broadcast a live program on Radio CKJM at Les Trois Pignons, the first drop in place for Mi-Carêmes to kick-start the festival. To say that Charlie Dan was in his glory would be an understatement.
He loved to watch La Mi-Carême at Lisette Muise’s home. Matthias Poirier who is also a Mi-Carême lover expressed, “We have been watching La Mi-Carême at the Muise’s home for decades. It will never be the same without Charlie Dan. Sadly, we will all feel his absence and his joie de vivre during this festive week. I have a feeling he will be with us in spirit.”
La Mi-Carême is a traditional and carnivalesque celebration, perhaps even one of the most heartwarming, amusing and eccentric of winter celebration traditions. Above all, it is one that comes from the heart of a vibrant and colourful culture! The basic elements are always the same – the costumes and disguise, going door-to-door around the neighbourhood, the welcome and hospitality, live music and dancing, Acadian cuisine, the sweet treats, and maybe even a little nip of alcohol. The event is rooted in Acadian culture, strengthening community bonds through hospitality and loads of laughter.
Let the joyful spirit of Acadian Mi-Carême forever capture your heart: Long Live La Mi-Carême!