Mad Masked Mania Bulgarian Style
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More than 1,500 mad masked marauders perform at the annual Kukeri — a traditional Bulgarian ritual to scare away evil spirits and ghosts which people believed came back to the living in winter — in a mystical union of rhythm, sound, and color in the last days of winter, just before nature springs forth its bounty of life.
Photo Xinhua
The Kukeri is the most important people’s cultural event in Bulgaria as an illustration of the most vital and deep-rooted traditions of masquerading rites dating back to ancient times when the old Thracians held the Kukeri Ritual Games, which has been preserved for all to the present.
The festival is held every even year in Pernik around the English New Year’s Eve and the beginning of New Year in processions in other cities like Razlog, Sandanski and Petrich.
Photo Xinhua
The cryptic meaning in Kukeri ritual is that by praying to the God of vegetation together with magical maneuvers and fiery dancing through the village to scare evil spirits with their costumes and the sound of the bells, they will influence fertility in nature and people to provide a good harvest, health, and happiness in the village during the year, celebrating the triumph of new life.
The Kukeri traditionally visit people’s houses at night so that “the sun won’t catch them on the road.” After marching in procession through the village, they gather at the square to dance wildly and amuse the people.
Photo Xinhua
The performers in this ritual — commonly known as Survakari or Kukeri — are strictly male, dressed in sheepskin and fur garments covering most of their bodies, wearing frightening and magnificently decorated wooden masks of animals — sometimes double-faced — rattles and chanove — copper bells — on their belts, dancing and filling the air with Christmas songs, prayers, wishes, and chants.
In Bulgarian folklore, the mask is believed to protect the bearer against powers of impure nature, creating the masks to look like fearful creatures with huge jaws, fearsome teeth and snapping beaks, with grizzly bodies, horns, and tails. Some participants use charcoal to paint their faces black and sheep’s wool to create moustaches and beards. They frequently carry symbolic objects with which they perform their rituals.
Photo Nenko Lazarov
All masks are made by those who wear them or with the help of craftsmen known throughout the village for their skill, in a long and complicated process shrouded in mystery — almost a ritual in its own right.
Costumes in the region of Pernik are made of sheep and goat furs, wings and feathers, horns, corn leaves, and hemp, often decorated with beads, paper flowers, ribbons, and woolen tassels. Masks from other regions are usually made of cloth, wool, and parched plants.
The ritual is a synthesis between Christian and pagan traditions and symbols, with a strong connection between the event and the peasant life. It’s a unique and ancient folklore, which can be seen only in Bulgaria. The heavy swaying of the main mummer is meant to represent wheat heavy with grain, and the noisy clang of the bells is intended to drive away the evil and sickness.
Taken in the Smolyan ethnographic museum, Bulgaria. Photo by Svik
As recently as the end of the 19th century, the importance of the Kukeri was so significant that 2 Kukeri groups from neighboring villages often fought and quarreled to the extent that some were even murdered.
A jury of ethnic, folk and culture specialists from Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, universities, the Pernik Historical Museum and others evaluate the masquerade games performances in two categories — winter games and customs and pre-spring games and customs.
Kukeri Dance
Bulgarian Festival Kukeri
Kukeri Mythical Creatures
Kukeri Traditional Dance
Sources: Around Bulgaria, Celebrations on Net, Xinhua, and Wikipedia
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This ritual looks like a great time! It makes me think of mardi gras, but to me it looks like a lot more fun. Have you ever attended this event yourself?
Amazing detail in this post, and the costumes are wonderfully scary! Thanks for sharing this culture with us!
It shows how creative people are – great culture but scares the children away know?
like little girls ?
It surely does, Omega. No, I haven’t seen this live before, but would love to. And funny that you would mention the Mardi Gras … I just published a story on the Tribal Indians
Thanks so much Lynda, glad you enjoyed it. And great to see you again
This culture goes well back into history, Online. From what I saw in images etc, it doesn’t really come across as scary as it may seem. But sometimes even clown costumes will scare children, you never know.
im nterestedin this fest,u know a website where to read a guide to the kukeri fests in romania and bulgaria?or a website where i can buy them online?thanx
No Gadjo, I’m sorry I don’t. Everything I was able to find, which wasn’t much, was written in this post. Perhaps if you were to research Romania and Bulgaria you might pick up a little here or there about the festival.