Carnival has its origins in ancient pagan festivals celebrating the new year and rebirth of nature, such as the Roman Saturnalia. Early carnival celebrations involved peasants masking themselves and dancing around bonfires to ward off evil spirits and celebrate good harvests. The first known carnival celebration occurred in Egypt, where people of different social classes would mask themselves and gather in the streets to sing and dance. Later, the Romans adopted the festival to honor Momus, the god of fun and ridicule, at the beginning of spring. In Bolivia today, carnival is a highly anticipated festival where people organize into music and dance groups to parade and celebrate for several days.

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THE CARNIVAL
He historical origin of Carnival is also obscure. It possibly has its roots in a
primitive festival honouring the beginning of the new year and the rebirth
of nature, though it is also possible that the beginnings of Carnival in Italy
may be linked to the pagan Saturnalian festival of ancient Rome.
Many years ago, peasants used to gather in the summer to celebrate good
harvests and ask the gods to protect them from evil spirits. Around a
bonfire the men painted themselves and covered their faces with masks
while they danced.
However, the first Carnival party known as such took place in Egypt. For a
few days the Egyptians hid the social class to which they belonged with a
mask on their faces. And they gathered in the streets to sing and dance.
Later the Romans began to celebrate this festival at the beginning of
spring. They did it in honor of Momo, the god of fun and ridicule.
CARNIVAL IN BOLIVIA
In Bolivia, carnival is one of the most anticipated and most celebrated
festivals of the year. In cities, towns and communities, people organize
themselves into groups, troupes or fraternities of different forms of
music and dance to carry out parades and celebrations that can last for
several days.