Today we want to share with you the roots and meaning of one of the most Beautiful Bulgarian traditions, where mythology, agriculture wisdom, and old pagan traditions melt in an interesting atmosphere that we revive in Bulgaria every March.
Martenitsa tradition since 2017 is on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
We have prepared a list of what you need to know to celebrate Baba Marta as a Bulgarian this 2021:
1- The legends about the origin of the Bulgarian martenitsa related to the Proto-Bulgarians and the founder Khan Asparuh.
The legend says Asparuh headed west to look for new land for Bulgarians after the Huns defeated his motherland and took away his sister Houba. He arrived in the present-day Bulgarian lands and sent a message to his sister on the wings of a falcon (some versions mention a dove).
Asparuh wrote to her that he had found a paradise to the south of the Danube and would settle there. Houba ran away and tied a white silk thread to the falcon to herald her return. The falcon took her to the new land but an enemy’s arrow pierced the bird and the thread turned red. After the good news about the survival of his sister, Asparuh tore bits from the thread and tied them to soldiers’ hands.
Then he issued an order for the two colors to never be separated thus safeguarding the unity of Bulgaria. It was March 1, 681, the then-New Year. The silk thread was named martenitsa, after the name of March. Since then, the red-and-white thread connects Bulgarians across the globe, being a memento from the motherland of our first khan.
2- Martenitsa is derived from Bulgarian word for month March or as the folk legends say from an angry old lady called Grandma Marta or Baba Marta, she is a harsh old woman who changes her mood very rapidly and it reflects in the changeable March weather that ‘s one day it’s sunny the other day it’s cold and cloudy.
3- Baba Marta folklore is also present in southern and eastern Serbia where it is a reference as to a freezing weather change after a spring break. The Romanian holiday Mărţişor is related to Baba Marta.
4- When Baba Marta is smiling the weather is sunny and warm, but when Baba gets angry the cold will stay for longer and it may even snow.
5- By wearing the red and white colors of the Martenitsa Bulgarians asked Baba Marta for mercy. They hoped that it will make winter pass faster and bring spring, and the new agricultural season will be healthy and abundant.
6- Every March 1st Bulgarians exchange Martenitsi and tie these in a knot to one another’s wrist and wish themselves “Happy grandma Marta”. This is a unique way to wish someone good luck, health and fertility.
7- Martenitsa is always given as a gift. Don’t buy one for yourself – wait for someone to give it to you.
8- Depending on what the weather is on March 1ts, we judge about our luck during the year. If it is sunny and warm, then luck will be on our side; if it is cold and dark, prepare to see a shortage of good luck.
9- Tradition prescribes to remove the martenitsa once we sight the first stork for the year and to place the tassels under a large stone. Nine days later we check what kind of bugs have gathered under the stone. The more they are, the greater the fertility during the new farming season.
10- In other versions of the same tradition, the
12- There is still another ritual. A day is selected in the bracket from March 1 to 22. Depending on what the weather is on this day, we judge our luck during the year. If it is sunny and warm, then luck will be on our side; if it is cold and dark, prepare to see a shortage of good luck.
13- Most people tie the martenitsa on a branch of a fruit tree, thus giving the tree health and abundant harvest.
14- This 2020 more than 15 million martinitsas will be exchanged between the people in Bulgaria.
Now you are ready to have a celebrate the arrival of the spring, be prepared and Chestita Baba Marta to you!
