History of the Cwarmê

The word CWARMÊ originates from the Walloon language and in Malmedy stands for ‘carnival time’ that ends around midnight on Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras). The folly lasts 4 days: from Saturday midday to Shrove Tuesday.

The Cwarmê has been celebrated in Malmedy for several centuries. A historical document that dates from June 25, 1459 refers to the Monday and the Tuesday “of the QUARMAE.” This means that it was already celebrated in the year mentioned, but in all probability much earlier than that.

The four days of carnival are called also the “grandès Haguètes” (the big haguètes), contrary to the “p’titès Haguètes” (small Haguètes), which take place on the four preceding ‘Fat Thursdays.’ Already in the year 1666, Fat Thursdays took place, and there is a report of a misfortune from that year: The linen costume of a young girl caught fire, and this episode certifies that already then, the tradition of dressing in costumes and masks existed. In 1695, under the rule of the Prince Abbots, the carnival was forbidden for the first time and this happened many times more in the 18th and 19th Centuries. The people of Malmedy, however, were not intimidated by this and continued to celebrate regularly.

In the 20th Century, the carnival was forbidden only during the war years. In 1962, the carnival had to be called off because of a smallpox epidemic.

The tradition of the CWARMÊ has been maintained now for centuries and this is due to the persistence of the Malmedy people.