SUSHITSA DISTRICT'S KUKERI - COSTUME & DANCES
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Personages
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The Sushitsa District's Kuker band is unique as it includes two groups of Kukeri: “belogashi” (or “belogashti” ie who wear white pants) and “badzhatsi” (the Turkish word for “legs” in Bulgarian plural form). The two groups have different costumes and moves, but play together and synchronized.
The Belogashi wear just white clothes with coloured tassels, and symbolise the good. They are mostly younger and single people since their dance is more vigorous and frisky. |
The Badzhatsi wear legs of goat fur with the long hair left outside, and symbolise the evil forces of nature. They are more sinister. The people who mask as Badzhatsi tend to be older.
The “Plashilki” (“scarecrows”) are other masked people that are not Kukeri. Late on Saturday before the Kuker Day, they belt the bells, and go from house to house.
The group of Borimechkata with Raina Kniaginya (Princess Raina) and an Eastern Orthodox priest together with a cherry gun is more recent. Those personages have been memorised in an old black-and-white photo taken at least 20 years ago. Those personages are historical or literary ones, and come from the Bulgarian revolutionary fight against the Turkish ruling at the end of 19th century.
During their tours, the Kuker band often brings “oxen” with a ploughman and a sower, who represent ploughing and sowing.
The “Plashilki” (“scarecrows”) are other masked people that are not Kukeri. Late on Saturday before the Kuker Day, they belt the bells, and go from house to house.
The group of Borimechkata with Raina Kniaginya (Princess Raina) and an Eastern Orthodox priest together with a cherry gun is more recent. Those personages have been memorised in an old black-and-white photo taken at least 20 years ago. Those personages are historical or literary ones, and come from the Bulgarian revolutionary fight against the Turkish ruling at the end of 19th century.
During their tours, the Kuker band often brings “oxen” with a ploughman and a sower, who represent ploughing and sowing.
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The MaskThe conical hood (“kyulaf” - the word is probably of Turkish origin) over the heads of Sushitsa's Kukeri is made of white sheeting. It is about 0,80 metres high and ornate. There is two holes for the eyes, by one for the mouth and the nose, and also lots of coloured beads and tassels. They sew a beard and moustaches. The top of the pointed hood of the Badzhatsi stands. Its base is of either cardboard (“kauk”) or white homespun. The hood of the Belogashi freely falls down to the shoulders. The Kuker hoods are decorated with different sequins, “titere”, tiny tassels. The top tassels of the Badzhatsi are always black, while those of the Belogashi are of different colours. |
The Sushitsa District's Kukeri hide their faces; there is a cover to the hood with holes for the eyes, the mouth and the nose. This face mask is white, and has different ornaments.
The outworn hoods will be renewed while keeping the same design.
The outworn hoods will be renewed while keeping the same design.
The Bells
The Belogashi bear between 13 and15 bells on their belts. The Badzhatsi have about 5-8 round-bellied bells (“lopki”, “hlopki”), the biggest at the front. The “hlopki” are bigger than the bells, however they are lighter. The Badzhatsi jangle the front “hlopki” by hands. The “hlopki” are decorated with bunches of multicoloured tassels.
The bells are inherited from the today's Kukeri fathers, grandfathers and so on, or may be bought; they mostly buy bells in Pernik City. The Sushitsa's Kukeri have tried bells made in other places too however did not find them good enough. |
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The bells are that part of the Kuker costume that is most difficult to obtain. They cost more than 1000 leva/a set (about 510 euros – a big sum in Bulgaria) depending on the price and the numbering.
Both “hlopki” and bells vary in number, size and sound; their sound may be from fine and delicate jingle to deafening clang. They are the only musical accompaniment to the Kukeri, and set the rhythm of the dance, which is impossible without them.
Both “hlopki” and bells vary in number, size and sound; their sound may be from fine and delicate jingle to deafening clang. They are the only musical accompaniment to the Kukeri, and set the rhythm of the dance, which is impossible without them.
ClothesBoth groups of Sushitsa's Kukeri wear white shirts without embroidery. On the shoulders, they put an old-time white embroidered kerchief or a wedding scarlet kerchief embroidered with beads and “titere”. Nowadays, they may wear just a modern red kerchief as the old-time ones are hard to obtain.
The Belogashi besides the white pants have all clothes in white. The Badzhatsi wear legs of goat fur and black traditional sandals (“tsarvuli”) with socks but made of rubber instead of leather. The Badzhatsi dress consists of a short black woman's pinafore, which protects them from the strokes of the “hlopki” (the round-bellied bells). The Badzhatsi's leather belts hold the bells and the “hlopki”. The Badzhatsi also have a belt across the shoulders hidden by the scarlet kerchief. In the past, the Badzhatsi would wear traditional moccasins (“tsarvuli”) of pigskin. The Belogashi would also have “tsarvuli”, and their white socks (“navushta”) decorated with black woollen braiding and fastened with ropes of goat's hair would reach the knees. |
Moves and Steps
Traditionally, the Sushitsa's Kukeri have always played in rhythm. They step slowly and in synchrony thereby creating a kind of a melody through the ringing of the bells and “hlopki” (the round-bellied bells).
The step of the Badzatsi is in two four time, and the one of Belogashi is in three four time. The difference in steps results in a different music.
The Sushitsa District's Kukeri are able to play really long, and it seems like they feel no fatigue.
Figures
"The Heart" figure
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While playing, the Kukeri form figures such as “the Eight”, “the Interlacing”, “the Heart”, “the Circle”.
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