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ArchivesRe: names used for... birth prevention
in reply to a message by Pavlos
Zaprian was popular as early as the 16th century. Its female counterpart developed later (probably when the parents wanted to name a girl after its uncle or grandpa). Dosta was especially popular in the beginning of the 20th century. Read on to learn why :)
Otherwise, you are basically right, Pavlos. For most of the families a lot of children were a blessing. Some people, however, were poor enough not to own any land. The "stop names" were originally meant to prevent any evil, but people started to use them in hopes of "no more kids". The main reason was that they were simply not able to feed a lot of children.
One last thing: Dosta was sometimes used when the family had a lot of girls and no boys. I guess the parents meant - OK, we have enough (dosta) girls, now it's time for a boy :o). It was especially popular in the beginning of the 20th century, as Bulgaria led 7 wars then and naturally there were few men left.
PS: You are soooo right about the lutenitsa vs ketchup. And I am not just being patriotic :o)
Otherwise, you are basically right, Pavlos. For most of the families a lot of children were a blessing. Some people, however, were poor enough not to own any land. The "stop names" were originally meant to prevent any evil, but people started to use them in hopes of "no more kids". The main reason was that they were simply not able to feed a lot of children.
One last thing: Dosta was sometimes used when the family had a lot of girls and no boys. I guess the parents meant - OK, we have enough (dosta) girls, now it's time for a boy :o). It was especially popular in the beginning of the 20th century, as Bulgaria led 7 wars then and naturally there were few men left.
PS: You are soooo right about the lutenitsa vs ketchup. And I am not just being patriotic :o)
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Replies
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 :)))
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There goes the traditionally Bulgarian "martenitsa" :)...
:)
:)
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I just had to check this out...
Cool custom! :)
http://www.b-info.com/places/Bulgaria/BabaMarta/
-- Nanaea
Cool custom! :)
http://www.b-info.com/places/Bulgaria/BabaMarta/
-- Nanaea
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Cool link and a quite accurate one :)
:)
:)
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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.
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