Dear, friends! We'd like to tell you about one of the most famous holiday in Bulgaria which is on January and February. This is Bulgarian "Halloween" or "Kukeri"/Mummers/:
Kukeri /Bulgarian: кукери/ is a traditional Bulgarian ritual to scare away evil spirits, with a costumed man performing the ritual. The costumes cover most of the body and include decorated wooden masks of animals (sometimes double-faced) and large bells attached to the belt. Around New Year and before Lent, the kukeri walk and dance through the village to scare evil spirits away with the costumes and the sound of the bells, as well as to provide a good harvest, health, and happiness to the village during the year.
The kukeri traditionally visit the peoples' houses at night so that "the sun would not catch them on the road." After going around the village they gather at the square to dance wildly and amuse the people. The ritual varies by region but its essence remains largely the same.
Kind regards, Reny, Darina and their pupils
Iscriviti a:
Commenti sul post (Atom)
Very impressive ritual!
RispondiEliminaIn particular the meaning, the masks and the costumes remind me a certain ritual I heard in Sardinia, a region of Italy. In general I think this celebration is similar to our Carnival we celebrate before Lent and whose period goes from January to February or March ( it depends of the date of Easter!)But we'll have in future the occasion to talk better about it!
All the best!
Gina and her children
Thanks, Gina, for the interesting information!
RispondiEliminaBest wishes to you and to your pupils!
Regards, Reny, Darina and their children