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Dunkirk Carnival
The little dictionary of Dunkirk Carnival
At carnival, people speak a bit of Flemish, a lot of Dunkirk dialect, and sometimes a language that belongs to the carnavaleux alone. Here are the words worth knowing so you're not left speechless in the bande or at a chapelle. Spellings vary from one local to the next: that's normal, most of these words have always been passed down by word of mouth.
The parade
In the bande
BandeThe parade itself, not a group of friends. People say "faire la bande" (to do the bande).
VisschersbendeFlemish for "fishermen's bande": Dunkirk's big bande, on the Sunday of the Trois Joyeuses.
Bande de la VioletteThe Malo-les-Bains bande, on the Sunday after Shrove Tuesday.
Trois JoyeusesThe three days before Ash Wednesday, with the Dunkirk, Citadelle and Rosendaël bandes.
MasquelourA costumed carnavaleux taking part in the bande.
CliqueThe musicians in yellow oilskins: drums, fifes, brass and bass drums.
Tambour-major (drum major)The leader of the clique, in an Empire-era grenadier's uniform. He leads the bande and gives the signal for each chahut.
CôThe affectionate nickname for the drum major, the one who keeps the music moving forward.
CantinièreShe walks with the drum major, in Napoleonic costume, and keeps the Cô and the musicians refreshed.
Chasse-nèchesIn blue oilskins, out in front of the clique, they keep the bande moving at the right pace and watch over everyone's safety.
Front linesThe big, experienced carnavaleux who hold the crowd back, right behind the clique. Not for beginners!
ChahutAlso called "p'tit tas" or "tiens-bon-d'sus": the moment the brass takes over and the whole bande pushes and jumps.
RigodonThe grand finale around the bandstand, ending on bended knee with the Cantate à Jean Bart.
Avant-bande, après-bandeThe party before and after the bande.
KippersThe smoked herrings thrown from the town hall balcony.
The costume
Dressing up
Clet'cheThe carnavaleux's costume, their identity. Also spelled cletche or clèche.
Beste clet'cheThe finest costume, kept for the biggest occasions.
Ma tanteThe iconic costume: a man dressed as a woman, with a fur coat and a flowery hat.
BerguenaereThe carnavaleux's umbrella, held up high. It's also the name for people from Bergues.
Between two chahuts
The party
ChapelleA house, a garage or a café where you're invited in for a drink, a bite to eat and a song. Nothing religious about it!
Mon oncle, ma tanteWhat you call your hosts at a chapelle, and more broadly, any carnavaleux.
Avant-balThe get-together before heading into the ball, at friends' places, in a bar, or on the seafront.
Zot'cheCarnival's kiss, on the lips. Shared between men, between women, between men and women, all in good fellowship. Never compulsory, but you'll almost certainly be offered one!
Beurt'cheA little outing, whether in the bande or just a stroll. "Put your beste clet'che on, we're off for a beurt'che!"
CholerTo wander, to stroll the streets without hurrying.
ToureloureA cheerful, slightly mad soul who loves living the carnival.
IntrigueTeasing a friend without letting them recognise you, which is easy behind a disguise.
Good things
At the table and the bar
PodingueA raisin pudding, a star dish of the chapelles.
BeultekazeA head-cheese style pâté, another chapelle classic.
Pot'je vleeschJellied white meats, a Flemish speciality.
Diabolo flamandOne part gin, topped up with lemonade, sometimes with a dash of violet syrup.
Couque suisseA spiral-rolled brioche with raisins and pastry cream.
Dunkirk dialect
Everyday speech
"Ben qu'est-c'ça dit?""How's it going?" You'll hear it everywhere.
BierbuckA beer belly.
BlozebuckA nicely full belly, on the way out of a chapelle.
Bèt'cheA little bit of something. "A bèt'che of podingue?"
PicheleuleA slowcoach, someone who dawdles.
Klok'spelThe carillon.
Leut'chePleasure, enjoyment.
DeyorsOutside.
"Saquent n'dans!"An enthusiastic invitation to dive right in.
Rouler de son corpsTo fall over.
Faire Jean BartTo throw your arms in the air, like a child being washed or dressed, a nod to the corsair Jean Bart.
Local legends
The characters
Reuze and ReuzinneDunkirk's giants, and their family.
Reuze PapaDunkirk's protective giant, surrounded by his seven guards. His wife is the Reuzinne.
FiguemanA masked carnavaleux who dangles an object from the end of a fishing rod, to tease passers-by.
Zwekt'cheOriginally the pole carried by the figueman in the fishermen's bande. It is also the name of an event beer from the Compagnie du Joyeux Signal.
Cô-PinardCô-Pinard II, the emblematic drum major from 1959 to 1988 and the most famous of them all, honoured at the end of every bande.
For a laugh
The words you'll hear in the songs
Carnival has its own saucy repertoire, and a few words come up again and again in the songs. Two examples, so you're not caught off guard: wiche and pichelourd both refer to... the male anatomy. The second is also used as an affectionate way to talk about someone, a bit like "biloute" among our ch'ti neighbours to the south. We'll let you work out the rest once you start singing along!
Stay right in the middle of it
Practise your Dunkirk dialect in the right neighbourhood
At both Loucé and Adélise, you'll have every chance to brush up your vocabulary: place Turenne and the seafront are just steps away, and by the end of the street, someone will already be asking you "Ben qu'est-c'ça dit?".
The carnival guide