Ceremony of Flambeaux at Hogmanay and Mardi Gras

Author: hostarticles | Posted: 06.01.2012

There is a tradition of carrying out procession with Flambeaux carriers in Scottish village on every New Year’s Eve. The entire festivity is signaled with the playing of bagpipes and drums and the road is blocked for traffic.. The bagpipers are followed by six strong men who will carry the Flambeaux along with them. There is again a tradition related to the carrying of this prestigious torch. It is usually passed on from the father to his son and so on, as he grows up. The old men may need a helper who usually walks beside him

Carrying the flambeaux is no mean job. To keep the torch burning continuously for a long time, it is kept it remains soaked for many days. Then the local residents carry them. They dress up in the funniest way possible. Also, the whole decoration of the procession is made funny and vibrant enough to reflect their festive moods. There is a mess of colors in the whole show..

The parade stops at the extreme end of the village. The whole extravaganza is wrapped up in 45 minutes. The people enjoy the whole show from their balcony or by shouting or cheering the Flambeaux carriers standing by the side of the pavements. The torch is finally thrown into the River Earn with the belief that it will take away with it all the demons from the village to the next one.

The flambeaux parade is also famous in Mardi Gras, which is located across the Atlantic Ocean. Here the carriers are slaves of the earlier times or are their descendants. There are many local shops that prepare colorful dresses for this festival for the visitors. The visitors soak themselves up in the fun of this parade.

Article was printed from http://www.articleside.com/shopping-articles/ceremony-of-flambeaux-at-hogmanay-and-mardi-gras.htm
Click here to return original format