THE KUKER CUSTOM IN KARLOVO REGION
Eacho of the twelve Kuker bands in the Region of karlovo has got its own specific steps, dance and attributes.
Six groups of Kuker costumes
The Kuker costumes in the region could be divided in six groups according to the similar appearance.
By alphabetical order, those groups are as follows: First group: Banya, Domlyan, Gorni Domlyan, Kalofer, Sokolitsa, Sushitsa ("badzhak"), Vasil Levski Second group: Voinyagovo Third group: Dabene Forth group: Karavelovo Fifth group: Kliment, Stoletovo Sixth group: Sushitsa ("belogash") |
Two types of Kuker costumes
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Kuker Day - on the Shrove Sunday As the Kukeri are traditionally called "Startsi" (Elders) in most of the settlements of Karlovo region, the name of the custom is "Starchovden" (Day of the Elders or Kuker Day). In many settlements, they "jangle" the bells (hlopki and tuchove) on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of the week before Sirnitsa (similar to Shrove Sunday), which always takes place seven weeks before Easter). The culmination of the Kuker Day is on "Sirnitsa Sunday" (the Bulgarian version of Shrove Sunday).
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What they do on Kuker Day
MASK CONTESTS
The masquerade parades are typical for almost all settlements nowadays besides the Kuker plays; those parades either do or do not have competitive character. The Kukeri equally participate in the latter, however tend to be tolerated by the juries, and often win prizes. |
GUEST KUKER GROUPS Today, most of the settlements will invite guest Kuker bands from Bulgaria to their feasts on Sunday depending on their financial capabilities. Almost all Kuker bands of Karlovo region travel a lot to perform both in Bulgaria and abroaad. |
THE REGIONAL KUKER FEAST IN KARLOVO The annual Regional Kuker Feast will be organised on the Saturday before Sirnitsa (the Bulgarian Shrove Sunday). All Kuker bands of the Region who wish will be invited to take part, as well as by some guest Kuker group from another region of Bulgaria. |
In the evening of Sirnitsa (the Bulgarian Shrove Sunday)
In each settlement, they traditionally finish the day with a traditional supper at every house; they "take forgiveness" from the older, and do "hamkane" for the children (a traditional game of cheesing and catching of a piece of white khalva with mouths).
In some settlements, they light fires in the streets or on the surrounding hills.
In some settlements, they light fires in the streets or on the surrounding hills.
Typical dishes for Shrove Sunday
Photographed during the Before Kuker Day in Karlovo Region Party organised by Kukeri Foundation, the Municipality of Karlovo and the Cummunity Cultural Centre of Karlovo on 28th February 2011
"POURED UPON" EGGS
A curious detail is the traditional local dish "poured upon eggs" for the holiday table. The receipt: they break eggs upon some boiling water; when the eggs get ready they put them upon some cottage cheese, pour them with melted butter, and powder with red pepper and salt.
OTHERS
Other traditional dishes for Sirnitsa are "banitsa" (a national pastry), "mlin" (a kind of banitsa), "pita" (a flat cake), and in recent time also roasted chicken.
Nowadays, they put lots of other non-traditional dishes on the table.
A curious detail is the traditional local dish "poured upon eggs" for the holiday table. The receipt: they break eggs upon some boiling water; when the eggs get ready they put them upon some cottage cheese, pour them with melted butter, and powder with red pepper and salt.
OTHERS
Other traditional dishes for Sirnitsa are "banitsa" (a national pastry), "mlin" (a kind of banitsa), "pita" (a flat cake), and in recent time also roasted chicken.
Nowadays, they put lots of other non-traditional dishes on the table.
Legends about Kuker Day Today, some older people tell they have heard from their ancestors that the custom came from the "Turkish" times. However, it is not known when it appeared.
In the past, Kuker Day was also celebrated in many other settlements in the region. |
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