The Oeteldonk carnival is based on the old medieval tradition of the upside down world. It is a festival of crazy jesting and parody. Oeteldonk came into being in 1882 as a result of various attempts by both secular and religious authorities to suppress and forbid the characteristic carnival celebrations of the city of Den Bosch (‘s-Hertogenbosch). Carnival was celebrated in ‘s-Hertogenbosch as far back as the Middle Ages. Three days of partying with dancing, singing, eating and drinking before starting the forty day period of fasting.