Carnival Lamayote

Carnival Lamayote

February-March; before Ash Wednesday

Carnival, the biggest holiday of the year in Haiti, is distinguished from other Carnival celebrations by the preparation of wooden boxes, decorated with tissue paper and paint, known as lamayotes . Haitian boys put a "monster"—usually a mouse, lizard, bug, or other small animal—inside these boxes. During Carnival they dress up in masks and costumes and try to persuade people to pay them a penny for a peek inside their box.
See also Rara

SOURCES:
BkHolWrld-1986, Feb 9
RelHolCal-2004, p. 91
(c)

Holidays, Festivals, and Celebrations of the World Dictionary, Fourth Edition. © 2010 by Omnigraphics, Inc.