I know I am not the only one who was dumbstruck with the term. I bet you, too, have not heard what Charivari is. If you're a newly wed couple and have decided to leave the town for your honeymoon then you're probably trying to avoid the faire le charivari. Charivari or shivaree is an old wedding custom dating back from the
Middle Ages. It originated from France, and was a commonplace in most French provinces. Later on, it became a protest for socially disapproved marriages. Actually, there were attempts in history to dislaw or prohibit its practice like in the 1600s. The Council of Tours of the Roman Catholic Church forbade Charivari, but the custom continued in the rural areas. Oncidentally, the said custom is also called “horning” and “belling.”
From France it was brought to Louisiana by the Acadians and the Creoles. It was practiced in Louisiana as well as in New England. In Canada, Charivari was practiced in
Ontario and Quebec. The custom is done by making noise through the banging of pots and pans at the newlywed's room to keep them awake all night and to drive away evil spirits from them. In some instances, the custom is also done to force an unmarried couple to tie the knot.
