Message: "Re: names used for... birth prevention"

This is a reply within a larger thread: view the whole thread

Re: names used for... birth prevention

by Pavlos (guest)

12/29/2001, 5:17 PM

A few years ago, while working at another company, I used to frequently visit Bulgaria :) I once spent about a month in the wind-swept city of Sliven, as a guest of the Svetlina lightbulb factory. Its incredible how many similarities we have as cultures...for example we also carry "martinitsas" every March 1. Balkans rule :)))

Replies

- Ivayla (guest) +3

12/30/2001, 4:18 AM

There goes the traditionally Bulgarian "martenitsa" :)...

- Nanaea +2

12/31/2001, 6:43 AM

I just had to check this out...

Cool custom! :)

http://www.b-info.com/places/Bulgaria/BabaMarta/

-- Nanaea

- Ivayla (guest)

1/1/2002, 5:51 AM

Cool link and a quite accurate one :)

- Pavlos (guest)

12/31/2001, 8:56 AM

Thanks for the great link, Nan. I noticed a few variations in the customs of Buldarian "Martenitsa" vs the Greek "Martis". First the similarities: in both cases they are worn on March 1, and the custom is quite ancient. In Greece, however, I have never heard of the stork bit, nor do ve hang them on trees. They are supposed to be an amulet to protect people for Helios who in March had quite a "bite". In antiquity, Greeks wore them until the festival of spring, when they would throw them in the sacrificial pyre. With the advent of Christianity, the "Martis" is worn until it is placed around the neck of the skewered lambs eaten at Easter.

View Message

Replies