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Behind the Mask: Bulgaria's Koukeri Ritual
| Article
# : |
18276 |
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Section : |
CULTURE
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| Issue
Date : |
1 / 1999 |
1,605 Words |
| Author
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Juliette Terzieff
Juliette Terzieff, a native of Buffalo, New York, is a
freelance journalist who specializes in covering conflict
zones. She has been covering events in Pakistan since late
September 2001 for clients including Newsweek and the San
Francisco Chronicle. |
"Twenty years ago, that was me," reminisced the young girl's mother.
"And in twenty years, it will be your granddaughter," said Nickolai from behind the mask.
Nickolai Shopov has participated in the koukeri rituals for twenty-five years. "I plan to go for at least another twenty-five," he promised with a sly smile. Within the small villages of the Rhodope Mountains, in south-central Bulgaria, an ancient tradition is preserved. Twice a year, the town's men and boys dress as fierce, animal-like creatures and set out to battle the earth's ever-present dark forces.
The koukeri honor tradition
Koukeri rituals originated more than twenty-five hundred years ago from Thracian belief in pagan deities and devils. During the New Year and at the passage of winter to spring, the koukeri gathered to drive evil from the village. It was believed that, in their demonic garb, they could ward off malevolent forces, ensuring good harvests and health for the coming season.
Today, Bulgarians are predominantly followers of the Eastern Orthodox faith. "Obviously, the rituals are not the same as they originally were. The religious significance is long gone, as is some of the solemnity," said Nickolai.
For the villagers, though, tradition is a way of life. "When I was a little boy, my grandfather and father participated in the rituals. Naturally, I followed in their footsteps," he explained,
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