Bulgarian Babugeri



Bulgarian Babugeri
Source: For really long website, click here.

So…this is a thing.  Bulgaria is a country very rich in culture and traditions.  Apparently, this is one of them.

When Sam first sent me this picture I almost dismissed it, as I do many of the oddball things he finds on imgur.  I didn’t think it was real.  But the more I studied this, the more fascinated I became.  These are actual people in costumes.  And not just some chintzy costume you order from the Halloween store last minute.  These are serious costumes!  These took some time and effort to construct.  Imagine walking down a dimly lit street and seeing that walking toward you!  Perhaps this is the Bigfoot people claim to be seeing.  Who knows?

These wonderfully, terrifying creatures are known as Bulgarian babugeri.  They are also referred to as mummers, or more commonly, kukeri.  The tradition of the kukeri dates back centuries to pagan rituals of Thracian origins in honor of god Dionysus.  Generally, a ritual performed around the New Year, men dress in kukeri costume, dancing and walking through the village to chase away evil spirits in the hopes of good harvest, health and happiness in the coming year. 


Source: http://www.novinite.com/articles/123847/Go+Away+Evil+Spirits,+the+Kukeri+Said

The costumes vary in their design, but the idea is relatively the same.  The importance is in the symbolism of each mask or costume.  Red is a predominant color to represent the fertility of the land, the sun, and fire.  Black is Mother Earth, and white represents water and light.  Many of the men wear belts of large bells around their waists and carry large sticks or wooden swords to help drive away the evil spirits.  Some of the masks are double-faced, to represent the good and evil in the world.

Source: http://www.novinite.com/articles/123847/Go+Away+Evil+Spirits,+the+Kukeri+Said

Today, this festival (and traditions similar to it), is celebrated across many regions throughout the Balkans and Greece.  It is noisy and funny, filled with joy and laughter, all wishing for blessings to the community in the changing seasons.  After all, who can’t get excited for spring, right?

I love learning new things about our child’s country!  I don’t know when we’ll get our referral, or when our travel dates will be, but I hope to be able to experience some of the cultural traditions Bulgaria has to offer one day!