One of the most heart touching traditions is Baba
Marta Day celebrated in Bulgaria as the
end of winter and the beginning of spring. Every year Bulgarians exchange martenitsi
(red-and-white adornments) on the first of March and celebrate each other with
the words: Chestita Baba Marta (Happy Baba Marta)!
First of March is also Imen den (Day of name) of all
who are named Martha, Martin, Martina and Eudokia. Imen Den celebration is
rooted in the Christian traditions, as a joyful and friends-connecting feast as
the Birthday.
About Baba Marta etymology: Bulgarians name the old
women “babi”. Grandmother is also in Bulgarian “baba”. Marta is rooted in the
month of March. Baba Marta is imagined as a moody old woman. The sun shines
when she is happy, and her anger brings cold storms. She is a human picture of
unpredictable March weather. March storms are sometimes described as Baba
Marta’s spring cleaning, and the last snowfall comes from falling feathers when
she shakes out her mattresses.
The legend
Legends have grown around the holiday tradition.
Perhaps the oldest describes the origin of the custom found in a kindness by
Khan Asparuh, the founder of the first Bulgarian state, who is said to have
sent his wife a white cord as a sign of having survived in battle.
Another tale describes how Baba Marta, angry at an old
woman taking her goats into the mountains a few days early, brought on a fierce
storm that raged for days. Later, when the townsfolk went out in search of the
old woman, they found her turned into stone, with a freshwater spring running
out from under her feet.
Baba Marta today
Today the holiday has become an opportunity to share
good wishes of health and happiness with friends, family and colleagues.
Children often compete to see who can collect the most martenitsi.
Very nice...
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