Discover Bulgaria's rich mountain wedding traditions
What's the story
Bulgaria's deep-rooted history and culture extend to its unique wedding traditions, particularly in its mountain regions. These aren't just ceremonies; they're a testament to the country's heritage and the beauty of its landscapes. This article explores five unique Bulgarian mountain wedding traditions, highlighting the rich cultural tapestry of this Balkan nation.
Buying
The ritual of buying the bride
In certain Bulgarian mountain villages, "purchasing" the bride is a central part of wedding celebrations. The groom and his buddies haggle with the bride's family early on the wedding day. This humorous and symbolic act isn't an actual purchase. It concludes with the groom's side offering gifts or money to the bride's family as a token of gratitude.
Bread
Bread adorned with symbols
A key tradition in Bulgarian mountain weddings is the baking and decoration of special wedding bread called pitka. This bread is beautifully decorated with symbols representing fertility, health, happiness, and prosperity. Close family and friends participate in the baking process, infusing their positive wishes into every detail of its creation. Pieces of pitka are then shared with guests during the ceremony, spreading these blessings to all.
Fire dance
The dance on live coals
One of the most exciting traditions in Bulgarian mountain weddings is the inclusion of Nestinarstvo or fire dancing. This millennia-old ritual sees barefoot dancers, known as Nestinari, brave live coals as they carry icons or other sacred items in a trance-like state. Once a health and fertility rite, it's now incorporated into some weddings as a way to purify and protect the couple's future.
Cliff Bouquet
Throwing a bouquet from a cliff
In some remote areas of Bulgaria's mountains, a bride doesn't just throw her bouquet behind her back to the single ladies in attendance like most places. No, after saying "I do" at a high location with beautiful views, she chucks it off a cliff! Apparently, the further and more inaccessible the place it lands, the better her married life will be.
Honey walnuts
Honey and walnuts ceremony
In Bulgarian mountain weddings, there is a beautiful and simple ceremony with honey and walnuts. After saying their vows, the bride and groom each feed the other honey to symbolize starting their new life together with sweetness. The walnuts are for healthiness because they are very nutritious. This way, they are promising that their life together will be sweet and healthy.