The Burial of the Sardine is a traditional festival celebrated in different parts of Spain, like Madrid, Murcia, and the Canary Islands. It’s a fun and colorful event that signals the end of the Carnaval season. During this festival, there’s a mock funeral procession, and it all ends with setting fire to a fake sardine made from paper or cardboard. While we’re not entirely sure where this tradition came from, there are a few ideas about its origins.

Ash Wednesday

One way to explain the Burial of the Sardine is that it’s kind of a playful dig at the Catholic ceremonies of Ash Wednesday. You see, during Ash Wednesday, people are reminded of their own mortality and the idea that they need to make up for their mistakes, which is called penance. Now, in this festival, they take a sardine, which symbolizes our earthly desires and wrongdoings, and they “bury” it as a way of saying goodbye to all the fun and indulgence of Carnaval. It’s like a symbolic switch from party mode to a more thoughtful and disciplined time as they get ready for Lent, which is the period of fasting and reflection leading up to Easter.

Pagans

Here’s another way to think about it: Some people believe that the Burial of the Sardine has its roots in really old pagan traditions that celebrated fertility and the start of a new cycle. In this view, the sardine is like a symbol of the old year or the cold winter, and they want to get rid of it to make room for the spring and the new crops to grow. Burning the sardine is like a way to purify things and bring warmth and light into their lives. So, this festival becomes a way to cheer on the rebirth of nature and look forward to a brighter future with more bountiful harvests.

Student Mockery

Another way to look at it is that the Burial of the Sardine might have been born from the cheeky and playful vibe of the Carnaval itself. Imagine a group of students in Madrid during the 18th or 19th century. They decided to have a good laugh by dressing up in black, carrying a fake sardine in a little coffin, and putting on a show of mourning for the “death” of the sardine. But here’s the twist: their real goal was to poke fun at the serious religious processions, the authorities, and the clergy. It was their way of having a blast while making a point about not taking things too seriously. So, this festival is all about embracing the rebellious and satirical side of Carnaval, letting people enjoy their freedom and happiness.

Fun and Fireworks

Regardless of its origin, the Burial of the Sardine is a vibrant and entertaining tradition, drawing numerous visitors and participants each year. It is a joyful festival characterized by music, dancing, extravagant costumes, fireworks, and laughter, with the sardine serving as the central symbol and protagonist of the Carnaval season.