KARAVELOVO VILLAGE'S KUKERI - COSTUME & DANCES
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The components of the Karavelovo Village's Kukeri are aimed to chase away the evil ghosts in order to let the spring, the good and the new life blossom.
Personages
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In Karavelovo Village, the elderly people still remember the masked "dzhamali". The tradition was lost and restored in 1969 with some changes. Till then, they use the name 'Kukeri" for them, which is common for Bulgaria.
The MaskToday's masks were probably introduced by the Kukeri, who restored the custom in Karavelovo in 1969.
The base of the mask consists of a military cap or a helmet. They decorate it with artificial flowers and colourful towels, old-time kerchiefs, transparent coloured ribbons... The horns of the part above the head may be of billy-goat or another animal. At the top, they attach stuffed birds, which were originally predatory aimed to frighten the evil. However, later those birds were replaced with pheasants or other non-protected by low animals, as problems arose with the environmentalists during one of the Surva festivals in the City of Pernik. The mask of the Kuker band leader has also got a skull with beak of a duck, wild boar teeth and whatever else they could obtain during the mask making. They make the masks themselves, but almost all masks of the Kuker band are made by its leader voluntarily just because he would like “to keep the group existence”. |
The Bells
The Karavelovo's Kukeri have both “hlopki” (round-bellied bells) and big bells (“chanove”); the latter are oblong. They divide them ie a Kuker will bear either “hlopki” or big bells in order to prevent loosing the sound harmony.
Most of the “hlopki” and big bells are old-times ones left from the grandfathers. However, the Kukeri will also buy new ones if necessary. The “hlopki” are nine of less in number. They should be odd because “the even number is not for good luck, while the odd is good”. |
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Each bell weighs at least 3-4 kilogrammes ie the whole sett of bells has more then 20 kilogrammes.
Under the bells, they put braided cords and multicoloured tassels.
Under the bells, they put braided cords and multicoloured tassels.
ClothesThe Kukeri wear white dresses hence the grup name “Who wear white clothes” (“Belodreshkovtsi”).
The clothing will get worn, tear, and every Kukeri will renew them of white sheeting on the same design. They also wear belts, leggings and modern leather boots. They also put variegated gaiters or coloured twines for beauty. |
In HandThe Kuker band's leader is the one who bears a parade sword on the Kuker Day. Thus, he symbolises a solemn parade: “We have defeated the evil, and the next day the clean, the good begins. When the whole village gathers to watch us it is like there is a parade.”
The sword is original brought from the front; it has been inherited by a Kuker from his uncle also a former Kuker. The leader has also got a battle sword. |
Moves - Figures
The Kukeri decide themselves what figures they are to perform; they move in a circle by pairs, then split by one, make two circles, intersect, gather, make eight...
They agree on and rehears the figures in advance. Everyone, and especially the two Kukeri ahead of the two columns well know what the band will do.
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