Friday, February 27, 2009

Martenitsa

March 1. is a day of the rich Bulgarian tradition, and wishes for health, love and a good harvest. This is the time when Bulgarians exchange amulets - the so called bulgarian "Martenitsa" and tell each other, "Chestita Baba Marta" (Happy Granny March).
Martenitsas offered by the Deutscher Kindergarten Erich-Kästner
Martenitsa is a small piece of adornment, made of white and red yarn and worn from March 1st until the 22nd March (or the first time an individual sees a stork or swallow). Mart is the Bulgarian word for the month of March.
The name of the holiday is Baba Marta, a Bulgarian tradition related to welcoming the upcoming spring. The month of March, according to Bulgarian folklore, marks the beginning of springtime.
Therefore, the first day of March is a traditional holiday associated with sending off winter and welcoming spring.

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