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Customs / La Mere Folle
Carriage of LA MERE FOLLE, central figure of the Fete des Foux celebrated at Dijon and elsewhere
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 581765
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10028084
Celebrated Dijon Fete Mere Folle Foux
EDITORS COMMENTS
La Mere Folle," or "The Mad Woman," is a central figure in the historic Fête des Fous, a lively and colorful carnival celebration that has taken place in Dijon, France, and other regions since the Middle Aages. This photograph, from Mary Evans Picture Library, captures the essence of this intriguing and enigmatic character as she rides in her ornate and elaborate carriage during the festivities. The Fête des Fous, also known as the Feast of Fools, was a time when social norms were turned upside down, and the roles of the usual hierarchies were reversed. The Mad Woman, or "Mère Folle," was a symbol of this upheaval, representing the unconventional and the irrational. She was often depicted as a large, grotesque, and sometimes even terrifying figure, dressed in ragged clothes and wearing a mask or a headdress adorned with flowers and other natural elements. The origins of the Fête des Fous and the Mad Woman are shrouded in mystery, with some historians believing that the celebration may have originated as a pagan ritual or a way for the lower classes to express their dissatisfaction with the ruling elite. Regardless of its origins, the Fête des Fous and the Mad Woman remain an important part of French history and culture, and continue to be celebrated in various forms to this day. This photograph, taken in Dijon during a Fête des Fous celebration, offers a glimpse into the rich and fascinating history of this unique and intriguing tradition. The Mad Woman's ornate and elaborate carriage, adorned with flowers, ribbons, and other decorations, reflects the exuberant and joyful spirit of the festivities, while her larger-than-life presence serves as a reminder of the power of the irrational and the unconventional to challenge and subvert the status quo.
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