THE MARTENITSA
The Martenitsa is constituted by a twined wool dolls –
white and red, made by red and white yarn which the Bulgarians are
giving to each other as a gift ( They are always given as gifts, not
bought for oneself. Martenitsas are given to close people, loved once
and friends.) when is celebrated the forthcoming Spring, always on
1-st of March. They are wishing each other health, longevity and
happiness. It is an old tradition of Pre-Christian origin.
The Etymology of the word “Martenitsa” is derived
from the name of the month of March - in Bulgarian it is pronounced
as Mart, which is the first month of the Spring.
On 1-st of March the Bulgarians and the inhabitants of
the neighboring states Romania, Macedonia and North of Greece are
pinning the Martenitsas (Martenitsi – in plural) on their cloths
and on their hand - tied around the wrist.
It could be tied also
around the neck of domestic animals as dogs, donkeys, horses, rams,
goats etc. This Martenitsa should be kept until you see a stork or a
swallow as first birds of the Spring. Then the Martenitsa should be
taken off and putted on a budding fruit-tree in blossom.
Such a tradition is dated back to the ancient fatherland
of Bulgarians which was in Middle Asia in the slopes of Mountain
Pamir where the Bulgarians came from in Europe nearly 2000 years ago.
Initially the Martenitsa had symbolized a god of prosperity called
Farn – presented as a Ram with Martenitsa.
During
the Roman Empire, the New Year has stared on 1-st of March and this
Fest was combined by Bulgarians with their old tradition. In the
Canon 62 of the decisions of the 6-th Ecumenical Council (Synod) of
the Christian Church (then still united) held in Constantinople - in
the Palace of Trullo - in the year 680 AD, this Fest was prohibited.
Then the Synod has stated :
“ Canon 62 “The so-called Calends,
and what are called Bota and Brumalia, and the full
assembly which takes place on the first of March, we wish to be
abolished from the life of the
faitful.”
But in this very moment the Bulgarians were busy with
the establishment of their new state, crossing the Danube-river in a
battle with the Byzantine army and missed this decision of the
Church. In addition – at that time they were not Christianized yet
and did not cared a lot about such decisions.
Step by step, the Martenitsa has lost it paganistic
meaning and became only a celebration of the Spring, as well as
salutation in a typical Bulgarian way.
It is a legend about the Martenitsa referring to the
time of devision of the Bulgarian tribes.
In 7-th Century AD, the Bulgarians to first become
united in a single state located on the territory of Today's Ukraine
with a capital city of Baltava (today's Poltava). It was called “
Great Bulgaria”. From the name of the capital city – Baltava,
derives the royal style of the Rular – Baltavar. After the death of
Khan Kubrat (Kurt) - the Ruler and unifier of all Bulgarian tribes,
his sons had divided again.
The Eldest – Bat Boyan (Bayan) had remained in Baltava
and his peoples remained with him there were named - “Black
Bulgarians”. The second son – Kotrag has moved to Volga-river and
had established there the state of “Bulgaria on Volga” which has
lasted until 14-th Century AD. Its capital city was Great Bulgar. It
is located near the current city of Kazan. His people were named
“Silver-Bulgarians”. Asparukh – the third son, moved to
Danube-river with his horde and had founded the state of Bulgaria –
where the Bulgarians lived today since year 681 AD.
The other sons of Kubrat - Kuber and Mauros had settled
first in Panonia – under the Khanate of Avars, but them moved to
Macedonia and settled not far from Thessaloniki.
Alzek (Altsek) with his horde has settled in Campobasso
and Isernia in today's Italy - under a contract with the Langobard's
Prince Grimoald of Benevento and his son Romoald, serving them as
commander of his own cavalry troops, receiving the title of a
Gastald.
The brothers had a sister who remained in their old home in
Baltava. Being in sorrow for her brothers, she decided to send them a
live swallow- birds with Martenitsas as a greetings from the ancient
Fatherland by her and wishes for health and prosperity. Some say that
her name was Huba, but due to receiving her Martenitsas in March, she
became known as Baba Marta (Grandma Marta).
The weather in March is
very variable and changing very rapidly. In the people's imagination,
it reflects the change in the mood of Baba Marta . When snowing and
getting cold in March, the Bulgarians say that Baba Marta is angry,
because her people are in quarrels and when the weather is sunny and
warm, this means that she is smiling to the Bulgarians.
With this ancient tradition the Bulgarians welcoming
the Spring, but also being dispersed in various parts of the world,
through Martenitsa's they are keeping their unity in one spiritual
community.
Latchezar Toshev
