They will then march in time or jump up and down to make a loud noise. Very often, the men will tie heavy bells around their waist. The idea is that any evil spirit will be able to see their own face in the mirror and be frightened by it. The masks are very elaborate and often contain pieces of broken mirror. Some believe even earlier than that – Thracian origins. Though I have seen them many times they never fail to fascinate me! There fierce masks and loud bells are meant to frighten away evil spirits!Īs with other famous ancient festivals, such as that of Venice, the origins are said to go back toRoman and Greek pagan traditions. The Kukeri are yet another age-old tradition to be found in Bulgaria. But in the nearby town the celebrations are extended to incorporate traditional dance and also a performance by the Kukeri. We celebrate Baba Marta in our village with the exchange of Martenitsa. These large effigies remind me of ‘The Wicker Man’! The general consensus is that they represent a fertility symbol – male and female – joined together. The story goes that they once represented a real couple, immortalised in this decoration.
Penda is the female doll, usually predominantly red and distinguished by her skirt. Pizho is the male doll, usually predominantly in white. Another favourite emblem contains two small wool dolls – Pizho and Penda. The most typical Martenitsa to be exchanged on Baba Marta are red and white bracelets. The legend behind these particular emblems dates right back to the formation of the Bulgarian state and its founder Khan Asparuh. It is very common to also find them hung up in homes. Apparently, in some mountain areas even the cattle were adorned with Martenitsa. Most articles link the custom with some kind of agricultural fertility ritual – similar to that of Baba Mata herself. Having looked a little deeper into this age old tradition it quite obviously has its roots in Paganism. Worn together the two colours symbolise rebirth. I’ve also heard that the white represents the melting snows of spring and the red the ever increasing heat of the Sun.
The white is a symbol of strength, purity and happiness.The red is associated with health, blood and conception. The Martenitsa is made of twined red and white threads – woollen, silk, or cotton. Once you see a stork or a tree in blossom, you are allowed to hang your bracelet on a nearby tree. This is such a lovely tradition in that not only do friends award you with the traditional emblems, but also complete strangers and people you hardly know – like the man at the gas station. These emblems are traditionally worn until the wearer sees either a tree bearing blossom, or their first stork. People exchange these bracelets with each other on this day. Martenitsi are red and white striped bracelets that are worn from the first day of March. However, it is thought to have its base in the various agricultural cult practices that proliferated in the Balkan mountains.īaba Marta is personified as an unpredictable old woman – with mood swings between happy and angry – hence the weather fluctuations during this month! Alongside her appearance comes the wearing of Martenitsi. Like many myths and legends, the origins of this particular one are unclear. The first of March marks the celebration of Baba Marta (Grandma March) here in Bulgaria, and is seen as the first day of spring. Rituals for prosperity, good health, and fertility – as well as warding a way evil spirits! Baba Marta roots hidden in misty paganism of centuries ago. Various practices and traditions still exist here with their. Countless fertility rituals exist across the world to mark this important festival. The advent of spring was traditionally seen as a transition between the death of winter and new life and rebirth.
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