The carol singers are the first who go round to tell the good news about the miracle called Jesus' Birth. They go round in groups and bless each home. They choose a king - a young man, who knows the carols and has an artistic soul, generous hand and good heart. Usually the groups of carol singers have a symbolic old man, a grandmother, a crumbs collector, a bagpiper and an even number of singers. The old man and the grandmother make fun, the crumbs collector gathers the gifts, the bagpiper plays music and the singers sing. The young carol singers are dressed in festive warm costumes, prepared for the cold weather, typical for the geographic region of Bulgaria during Christmas. They have fur caps, ornamented with strings of popcorns and a bunch of box, holding shepherd's crooks in their hands. Everywhere they are met with joy except those homes struck by grief, dead or serious illness. The carol singers' tour starts from the house of the most prominent men in the village - the mayor, the priest and the teacher. The host welcomes the singers with a ring-shaped bun with some coin in it. The hostess gives the singers a sieve full of wheat which the singers sprinkle round the house praying for fertility. The carol singers sing songs for every member of the family- from the eldest to the youngest. The songs are for health, longevity, property, luck, love, happiness, games and joy. There are songs for the ploughman, the priest, the mayor, the tailor etc. The Christmas table should be abundant- full of fresh bread, baked pork, pork with leek, banitza, liver, baked chicken etc. It is left till the morning so that the whole year is full. People with the names of Hristo, Hristina, Bojin, Itzo and Icho celebrate their name's day on Christmas Day. More about 'Traditions' : |
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Excursion
Traditions