Traditionally a carnival feast was the last opportunity to eat well before the time of food shortage at the end of the winter during which one was limited to the minimum necessary. On what nowadays is called vastenavond (the days before fasting) all the remaining winter stores of lard, butter and meat which were left would be eaten, for it would soon start to rot and decay. The selected livestock had in fact already been slaughtered in November and the meat would be no longer preservable. All the food that had survived the winter had to be eaten to assure that everyone was fed enough to survive until the coming spring would provide new food sources. COUNT 9
QSN1 What does vastenavond mean? ANS1 the days before fasting QSN2 What month was the livestock typically slaughtered? ANS2 November QSN3 A carnival feast is the last time to do what before winter? ANS3 eat well QSN4 Why were the winter stores of lard and meat eaten before fasting? ANS4 it would soon start to rot and decay QSN5 Why was the carnival feast typically the last opportunity to eat well? ANS5 food shortage at the end of the winter QSN6 What was one limited to during the winter? ANS6 the minimum necessary QSN7 Why would all the remaining stores of lard, butter and meat left at vastenavond be eaten? ANS7 it would soon start to rot and decay QSN8 What does "vastenavond" mean? ANS8 the days before fasting) QSN9 When would new food sources be available for those who survived the winter? ANS9 spring