Spain is a country full of traditionsPerhaps it is these traditions that have forged both our character and our culture and gastronomy. Traditions that even over the centuries, are still alive in the society and in the spirit of our country. Today we are going to show you a tradition that emerged in Castilian-Aragonese lands, it is Fat Thursday. The first thing we need to know is what is Jueves Lardero and why is it celebrated?
What is Fat Thursday and when is it?
To begin with, we must comment on the origin of the word Lardero. Is comes from the Latin “lardum or laridum” and its meaning is none other than bacon, lard, or lard. Perhaps already with this track, we will intuit what is the fat thursday.
Well, Thursday Lardero and not Ladrero (vulgarism), is a typical tradition of Spaina, this is celebrated on Thursday before Carnival Sunday and it is characteristic of this day, to consume pork.
Where is Fat Thursday celebrated?
El Jueves de Lardero, is the name given in different Spanish regions to the Thursday before the start of Carnival. Depending on the region Jueves Lardero can receive different names. According to tradition, on this day many towns in the Spanish geography celebrate a popular character party and that according to the region, it will adopt different forms or customs to celebrate.
Although we have to say that each and every one of them have a common denominator. It’s about spending a day outdoorswhere the main protagonist is the gastronomy of the area. They are festivals most celebrated in the easternmost communities of our geography, where the famous saying becomes real «Fatty Thursday, sausage in the pot».
The Spanish regions that They celebrate Lardero Thursday are:
- Aragon
- The Rioja
- Valencia
- Madrid
- Navarre
- Catalonia
- Castilla la Mancha
- Castile-Leon
- Andalusia
We can find different variants of Fat Thursday, especially considering the different languages spoken in our country. Thus, this festival is celebrated with names such as Dijous Gras in Catalonia, Dijous of Berenar in Valencia, Dijous Llarder in the Balearic Islands, the Mona’s Day in Albacete, omelette day, chorizo day in Bajo Aragón, etc.
Why Fat Thursday is celebrated
The celebration of this party dates back to the Middle Ages and we could say that it was the last party before the celebration of Lent. If we go back to the Latin origin of the word Lent, it could be translated as “fire the meat”. Therefore, it was a celebration in which the townspeople, ate all the meat he could And so they prepared for the abstinence and fasting imposed by Lent.
As in Spain, we were more far-sighted, Lardero’s partybegan to be celebrated on the Thursday before Carnival, since it was a more family party. Leaving Carnival Sunday as a holiday more dedicated to wine and excesses with friends. For this reason, the Lardero festival is known as Jueves Lardero.
Origin of Fat Thursday
Lent before the 5th century AD, fasted for forty dayspossibly in its beginnings, Lent was more similar what we know today as muslim religion ramadan. Apparently, the fast was only during the day, being able to different meals after sunset. There is also the possibility of being able to make some type of soft or light meal during the day.
From the fifth century, allowed to eat early in the morning, to include later, also a light meal in the afternoon. Possibly the reason was that the activities did not stop, that is, people continued to work in the fields or in their trades. Hard work that without adequate or sufficient food could cause fainting.
The ancient Christians knew that they faced forty very hard daysso that according to the possibilities of each individual, they ended up preparing to receive Lent with a great feast.
Regarding this feast being held on Thursdays, it was because Thursday was the last business day to eatthat is, the day before the first fast day of Lent.
There is also another theory of why it is celebrated on Thursday fat thursday. According to historical records the origin is due to the fall of Granada in the year 1492. It was then that the Cordovan town of Fernan Nunezbegan to celebrate victory over the Nasrids in Granada on the Thursday before Carnival. This day was chosen because it was the day on which Ferdinand of the Riverslord of the town and participant in the victory, returned from Granada.
Fat Thursday Traditions
It is a tradition that to a greater or lesser extent It is celebrated in all the Autonomous Communities of our country. As we have already mentioned, it is a day to enjoy the family in a big cookout. So in:
- Aragonthis festival is celebrated with longanizas, chorizos and lots of grilled meat.
- Catalonia It celebrates it by adding an omelette with sausage, eggs and coca de chicharrones.
- In Andalusia Much more typical is the hornazo, a greased bread dough to which is added loin, ham, chorizo, etc.
- Castilla la Mancha celebrates it with the panecete or roll. Cuenca deserves a special mention, where the party is held on Easter Sunday, where it is tradition for the girls to make the “puppets” and the boys take them off.
- In Genil Bridge they’re famous the barracks, which is the meeting place for the “brothers” of the corporation. Each Barracks places its Lenten calendar. The calendar is the figure of the «old lent» represented by an old woman loaded with food, from this poster hang 7 legs that will be removed to the sound of the barracks. Each leg corresponds to the name of each Sunday of Lent.
First carnival leg, the temptation of Jesus, The Transfiguration of the Lord, The Mute Devil, Pan y Peces, Passion Sunday and Palm Saturday which would be the last.
- Calatrava Causewaythe manteo of the “puppets”these are straw dolls that dress in a very extravagant way and that mark the beginning of the Carnival. A popular custom where the neighbors, in the early hours of the morning, they place the puppets at the doors of the houses.
so from ancient times, the neighbors called attention to the important and popular topics of the previous year. these rompers represented a famous person that for one reason or another will be manteado.
- Santurde de Rioja, the party called thursday of all or judas. A party in which the young men of the town perform a straw dollwhich they call “Judas”. They will go all over town. Singing songs allusive to the day of Judas. On their journey they asking for the few eggs, chorizo or money.
When evening falls, in the town square burn the straw doll and with the money and food obtained, they have a snack.
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