DOMLYAN VILLAGE - KUKER DAY PROGRAMME
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- Three or four weeks before the feast, on Friday and Saturday, the Kukeri play with the “hlopki” (round-bellied bells) in the village;
- On Friday before Sirnitsa (the Bulgarian version of Shrove Sunday), they visit the houses;
- On Sirnitsa before noon, the little “baburi” (other masked which are not Kukeri) visit the houses with their small basks;
- On Sirnitsa at 12:00, a folk orchestra starts playing live on the square;
- Starting at 13 or 13:30 until the darkness there is festivity with horo dances (“horo” - a traditional Bulgarian chain dance), a mask contest with a jury and awards, Kuker plays, “baburi” (masked people but not Kukeri) and any scenes;
- There are traditional Sirnitsa fires at all hills around the village until 20:00;
- The dinner in each home includes also the traditional forgiveness taking (“proshka”) and the old custom of “hamkane” ie children catching pieces of white khalva by mouth.
Before SirnitsaThree or four weeks before the feast, on Friday and Saturday, the Kukeri play in the evening at night. It is because the “hlopki” (the round-bellied bells) tend to rust, and it is necessary to put them in work. The Kukeri themselves also need to train this way for the Kuker Day a bit.
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If the Kukeri study or work outside the Village of Domlyan, they play where they are.
They do not put on the Kuker costume, and just take the belt with the bells.
On Friday, the masked would traditionally visit the houses going to whom they decide. The householders would treat them. Generally, it does not take place nowadays.
They do not put on the Kuker costume, and just take the belt with the bells.
On Friday, the masked would traditionally visit the houses going to whom they decide. The householders would treat them. Generally, it does not take place nowadays.
Sirnirsa on the Square at Noon
The celebration begins at noon. The programme always includes horo (a traditional Bulgarian chain dance), awards for the masks and some scene.
At around 12:00, a folk orchestra starts playing music live. Most often it is the orchestra of Rumen Rodopski. When they hear it, they will gather on the square around 13:00-13:30. The mayor will great and welcome all people, and will present the orchestra.
Then, they will show the masks to the public and the jury. The jury includes the leader of the Kuker band, the mayor and some other who is competent usually male. “They see who does not stoop, who is taller, who is better-built.” Until the Kukeri feel the hoods heavier and put them off, they will be already assessed.
The people go to dance the horo (the traditional Bulgarian chain dance) lead with the Bulgarian national flag. The horo will temporarily break while the Kukeri are playing. When the latter do not play, they will also be amongst the people.
The adult “baburi” (masked who are not Kukeri) will also play the horo. Their bodies will be all covered with any old clothes: nighty, pyjamas, old dresses, mackintoshes, etc. Nowadays, it is not a problem if people recognise them, and some masked even purposely make people recognise them.
They alternate a horo, Kukeri, another horo...
In 2009, the pensioner club performed a scene with the Medenik old-time custom who used to take place during the engagements in the region; they won the prize of 80 leva for it.
At around 12:00, a folk orchestra starts playing music live. Most often it is the orchestra of Rumen Rodopski. When they hear it, they will gather on the square around 13:00-13:30. The mayor will great and welcome all people, and will present the orchestra.
Then, they will show the masks to the public and the jury. The jury includes the leader of the Kuker band, the mayor and some other who is competent usually male. “They see who does not stoop, who is taller, who is better-built.” Until the Kukeri feel the hoods heavier and put them off, they will be already assessed.
The people go to dance the horo (the traditional Bulgarian chain dance) lead with the Bulgarian national flag. The horo will temporarily break while the Kukeri are playing. When the latter do not play, they will also be amongst the people.
The adult “baburi” (masked who are not Kukeri) will also play the horo. Their bodies will be all covered with any old clothes: nighty, pyjamas, old dresses, mackintoshes, etc. Nowadays, it is not a problem if people recognise them, and some masked even purposely make people recognise them.
They alternate a horo, Kukeri, another horo...
In 2009, the pensioner club performed a scene with the Medenik old-time custom who used to take place during the engagements in the region; they won the prize of 80 leva for it.
Some other scenes which have taken place over the years are:
- A donkey cart. The donkey was masked with old rugs, the cart was also decorated, and the people were blackened with charcoal
- Older people playing a young family with a baby
- Frying “mekitsi” (batters fried in deep oil) in a cart
- Ploughing and harvesting
Once the people start dispersing and the guests leave, the mayor will present the winners and the awards provided by sponsors through the local Chitalishte (the community cultural centre). The awards may consist of money in envelopes for the first three places. The names of the sponsors will be announces before the prize awarding.
Sirnitsa Fires at DuskThe horo (a traditional Bulgarian chain dance) will continue until the darkness when people will go to the traditional fires (“olalii”).
They will fire tires strung on a large stake at all hills in Domlyan Village, and mostly at the one in front of the mayoralty. The men will have taken with them rakia (the Bulgarian analogue of brandy) and wine, and will treat each other. The traditional fires will end when it is dark ie at around 20:00 |
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The traditional dishes are a cock and covered eggs (the eggs are broken over a boiling water kept for a while, and then put over cottage cheese, poured fried butter and sprinkled with red pepper).The whole larger family will gather , and usually they will meet lots of guests from both region and country in Domlyan on this day.
They will do the custom “hamkane” for the kids (the children of the family will chase a piece of white khalve by mouth trying to catch it). Once, they would kiss the hand of the elder family members mostly the parents, while asking tem for forgiveness; however, it is not present nowadays.
They will do the custom “hamkane” for the kids (the children of the family will chase a piece of white khalve by mouth trying to catch it). Once, they would kiss the hand of the elder family members mostly the parents, while asking tem for forgiveness; however, it is not present nowadays.
Kuker Visits on Kuker DayIn the past, they would invite guest Kuker bands just sometimes in Domlyan for instance the Kuker band of Sushitsa District of Karlovo will visit Domlyan as guests on the Kuker Day.
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