Kukers

Kukers is a traditional ritual in Bulgaria. Actualy, only costumed mеn are performing the ritual. Their costumes cover most of the body and include decorated masks of different animals or sometimes double- faced creatures, big sticks and huge bells. Kukers can`t be women!

The kukers walk, dance and sing through the village to scare evil spirits away with the costumes and the sound of the bells, as well as to provide a good harvest, health, happiness and love to the village during the year. They dance in the last days of the winter, just before nature comes back to life.

The ritual is mixture between Christian and pagan traditions.