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____________________________________________________________ _______________________ ____________________________________________________________ _______________________ ____________________________________________________________ ______________________ _ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ _______________________ ____________________________________________________________ _______________________March 1st is probably our most intrinsic holiday because it is unique to Bulgaria. The custom of wearing martenitsas (red-and-white threads worn as a decoration) is only popular in Bulgaria and it is perhaps the most positive one in all our folklore. The traditions related to March 1st as well as the martenitsas themselves are associated with optimism and anticipation of warmer weather, fertility and well-being. This tradition is based upon the founding of Bulgaria in 681 AD and there are many more than one folk-legend about the origin of this celecrated day. The name March comes from the Latin Martius, i.e. €˜of Mars€™, the god of war, son of Jupiter and Junona. Old Bulgarians called it €œbirch month€? €“ because the birch trees begin to grow leaves and give sap. Other traditions connected with March include that very early in the morning, even before the month begins, the young ones must be the first to meet the willful old woman. Thus she will be smiling and merry, the weather will be good and sunny. Also, in March people may be reluctant to have their hair cut so that she does not "cut" their brains and they become stupid.Below, i have entered our collected folklore tales about Bulgaria's Baba Marta and hope you enjoy them.Many, many years ago, Khan Isperih left his home in the far away Tibetan mountains and went in search of fertile land for his people, the proto-Bulgarians. He crossed many mountains and rivers until finally he stopped in the land of the Slavs who met him cordially. Slav women, dressed in white, brought him cups of wine and the tables were piled with food, the fruits of this blessed land.But the khan was not happy for he was sick for his family €“ his mother and his sister Kalina. He sat on the bank of the big river and tears like pearls dropped down his masculine cheeks. His eyes looked in prayer towards the sun and the gods. And then the miracle happened.A swift swallow alighted on his shoulder, and Isperih told her of his grief. The swallow flew away to the lands from which the Bulgarians came and told Kalina in a human voice that her brother has a new kingdom, that he grieves about her and sends her greetings.Kalina was very happy to hear that and decided to send a message to her brother. She made a nosegay of green plants, tied it with white woolen thread, made some knots on it meaning best regards and sent it back with the swallow.The bird flew like thunder and very soon was on the shoulder of Isperih again. But after the long journey, its wing was wounded and its bright red blood had tinted the thread. The khan took the nosegay with joy, read in the knots his sister€™s greetings, put the nosegay on his breast and the martenitza shone bright.Since that moment, Isperih ordered his people to make a bunch of twisted white and red thread and wear it on their breasts on this day €“ for health and blessing from heaven. This happened on 1st of March and the tradition has remained until this day. Martinetza ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ______________________________________I made my myspace layout using Pimp-My-Profile.com
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