The Kukeri demon hunters of Bulgaria

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  • Опубліковано 14 лип 2020
  • The Balkans is home to an ancient pagan tradition where magic and mystery still have a sacred place in the cosmic order. The Kukeri festival has had a stronghold over Bulgarian cultural life since the fifth century, surviving the Ottomans, Christendom and communist rule. Every winter, hundreds of terrifying figures prowl snow-capped forests and village centers in search of evil spirits to dispel from their communities. Oversized bells, gnarled horns, wooden staffs and fantastical masks are just some of the familiar components of a ‘kuker’s’ costume...
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  • Фільми й анімація

КОМЕНТАРІ • 92

  • @marie-marie9645
    @marie-marie9645 8 місяців тому +12

    As someone who lives in cold dark place majority of the year, learning about Kukeri dance & traditions lives true to its purpose. It has lifted my spirits. I love everything about what I have viewed and learned of the Kukeri tradition. I will think about this as I do my morning wake up dances. Movement is so important for our psyche and well being. Adding the costume and participating with friends and family makes this so special. I would love to live and experience this tradition in the near future.

  • @marybethroden5910
    @marybethroden5910 3 роки тому +44

    Wow! That is wild. So glad to have the chance to learn about this - a really, ancient, shamanic tradition - resonated with me, like a window into what pre-Christian traditions must have been like, something really primal about it. Amazing that it continued and survived alongside Ottoman rule and communism and even with Christianity - judging from the fact that at least the people showcased here practice both the old tradition and Christianity - this is what the syncretic blend of pagan and Christian traditions must have been like throughout Europe as Christianity was introduced to indigenous cultures.

    • @rado78231
      @rado78231 6 місяців тому +3

      Besides, we are a very stubborn bunch. And greetings from Bulgaria, madam!

    • @ColoradoStreaming
      @ColoradoStreaming 6 місяців тому +1

      Check out the band Heilug which is based on pagan Germanic/Nordic shamanic tradition.

    • @ColoradoStreaming
      @ColoradoStreaming 6 місяців тому +1

      @GeleNikolov They are pretty chill if you ever check them out and it has nothing to do with Nazis at all. They do their opening ceremonies in the US with Native American tribes and stuff. I prefer Slavic folk music more overall but Heiling has some good tracks like Norupo and Asja.

  • @lorenlash9174
    @lorenlash9174 3 роки тому +45

    This is such an incredible and beautiful ritual, made all the more special being passed down by family members. Most people in this world will never have this kind of deep connection to their ancestors or culture. As she was skipping down the road in her costume, I could see the whole army of her ancestors moving right along with her, a most potent legion of sacred guardians. What a phenomenal family!

    • @angieseven5687
      @angieseven5687 Рік тому

      they do have connection but cannot feel heart singing to (noisy)mind
      shamanic dance is medicine , establishing heart mind connection

  • @og-polecatsky
    @og-polecatsky 4 роки тому +68

    Thank you so much for showcasing one of the most important cultural traditions! 🇧🇬

    • @og-polecatsky
      @og-polecatsky 4 роки тому +3

      There is an amazing festival called Surva where thousands of kukeri gather in order to dance together!

    • @mhlmlki
      @mhlmlki 4 роки тому

      браво сашко

  • @wolnysarmata3922
    @wolnysarmata3922 7 місяців тому +15

    Keep your ancestors tradition and your Motherland Bulgarian brothers . Greetings from Poland

  • @RositsaPetrovarjp7
    @RositsaPetrovarjp7 3 роки тому +47

    Nice video. a couple of additions. in some regions of Bulgaria the kukeri come out in spring, not in winter. also, they are not demon hunters. they chase all evil away! this is why the bells are important. in some regions the costumes are made of the hair of special long-haired goats as you see in this video, but they all differ. each participant makes their own costume

  • @a12storyasylum
    @a12storyasylum Рік тому +13

    Well I can't believe I'm learning about Kukeri just now but better late than never! Truly incredible stuff

  • @SnowWhite717_
    @SnowWhite717_ Рік тому +4

    Such a beautiful tradition of faith, hope and love in their lives that they share with their village and others. It’s really sad that this tradition is slowly going away, but as the old pass on or are unable the young aren’t as interested in these things and prefer modern things. It’s really wonderful to see this whole family participating in the tradition and keeping it alive. 😊❤

  • @Esmael822
    @Esmael822 Рік тому +7

    This is so beautiful and interesting to watch!! I gotta say we have a similar tradition in Morocco, North Africa. In the region of Souss, every Eid Adha (Islamic occasion), a bunch of people wear almost the same costume and celebrate in carnival. It's mind blowing to see this similarity shared across Europe and Africa!!

    • @Silvia221b
      @Silvia221b 11 місяців тому

      Do the costumes have a particular name ? I'm interested in finding out more about it but it's difficult to find anything 🙂 thank you!

    • @Esmael822
      @Esmael822 11 місяців тому +2

      @@Silvia221b Oh yeah they are called ''Boujloud'' in Morocco. The name derives from the word ''Jloud'' which means ''goat or sheep skin'', and the word ''Bou'' which translates to ''father of''. I hope that helps!

    • @guyrudy5
      @guyrudy5 8 місяців тому

      Awesome! Such a beautiful and Bonding, cultural tradition.

  • @abbypitts3857
    @abbypitts3857 Рік тому +5

    What a beautiful, proud, powerful family!

  • @plamenailieva7
    @plamenailieva7 3 роки тому +11

    Много добър клип!
    Дано все повече, да се снима и разпространяват традициите и красотите на България 🇧🇬
    Радвам се, че вече и жени участват.

  • @vanessaprincesssa
    @vanessaprincesssa Рік тому +6

    So proud to be a Bulgarian! ❤ Amazing film

  • @sarahturner8678
    @sarahturner8678 4 роки тому +8

    reaches pleasant corners of my mind, such beautiful everything about this, thank you!

  • @Zumbagirl517
    @Zumbagirl517 3 роки тому +5

    1:21 Where the girl was playing basketball 🏀 with her little bro pleasantly surprised how fun they have with each other! I’m not close to my big brother.

  • @jrzjnz7573
    @jrzjnz7573 4 роки тому +8

    This was semi-featured in a Lindemann video! How cool to learn more about Kukeri.

    • @lustinlis413
      @lustinlis413 Рік тому +1

      Well in the video you see Kukeri chasing Samodivi (Evil woman spirits of the woods)

  • @ForgingThought
    @ForgingThought 2 роки тому +6

    Awesome. This is an awesome video.

  • @user-wb4hj6km8e
    @user-wb4hj6km8e 3 роки тому +9

    Цяла България се гордее с вас...Продължавайте да поддържате живи нашите традиции :)

  • @atlantidaunderground
    @atlantidaunderground 3 роки тому +9

    I'm surprised there is a video about this. In Bulgaria most of the youth wants to celebrate Halloween which is a catholic celebration... and in orthodoxy we don't have this, our teachers used to say we have Kukeri, this is our Halloween :D

    • @Vatras888
      @Vatras888 3 роки тому +3

      Hallowen is pagan celtic tradition. Chatolic tradition have all saints day.

    • @atlantidaunderground
      @atlantidaunderground 3 роки тому

      @@Vatras888 I was told this is similar to Halloween because it chases away all the evil spirits.

    • @Vatras888
      @Vatras888 3 роки тому +1

      @@atlantidaunderground Never heard of evil spirits in all saints day. Ortodox priests like to make fantasy stories about catholic customs xD

    • @atlantidaunderground
      @atlantidaunderground Рік тому

      @@Vatras888 That's interesting. Need to research more then but I have read somewhere recently that it's about warding off evil ghosts. Yes, I know that Orthodoxy and Catholicism are similar but still have some big differences. Halloween is one of them... every year there's a big debate and drama about whether or not we should celebrate it because it goes against orthodoxy... and some of us do want to celebrate it.

    • @katerinaorlinova371
      @katerinaorlinova371 Рік тому

      The problem is that all kids can dress theirselves in costumes for Halloween, but few can take part of the Kukeri shows. That is the difference! Kids want to be involved, not to be only part of the audience...

  • @asdecopastarot
    @asdecopastarot Рік тому +3

    Very very beautiful. Thank you

  • @user-dn3ic4qy1u
    @user-dn3ic4qy1u 2 роки тому +1

    Господ здраве да ви дава, за да се продължи тази прекрасна традиция, желая ви много успехи и щастие във всичко...

  • @danielmarquez8550
    @danielmarquez8550 2 роки тому +4

    Simplemente Fantastico.

  • @Zeratursa
    @Zeratursa 2 роки тому +2

    Прекрасни сте ! ЖИви и здрави и продължавайте все така !!!

  • @angelaiskandarova
    @angelaiskandarova 4 роки тому +14

    these costumes look incredibly creepy and attractive at the same time

    • @Zumbagirl517
      @Zumbagirl517 3 роки тому +2

      And look like fun to wear too! Swishing the hair!

  • @garyk8285
    @garyk8285 Рік тому +1

    Great video.

  • @ericowensnyc
    @ericowensnyc 4 роки тому +10

    I WANNA BE A KUKERI!!!!!...kinda reminds me of Nick Caves SoundSuits. 🤔😎

    • @theletterbleeds
      @theletterbleeds 4 роки тому +1

      It might have been one of his inspirations

    • @sarahturner8678
      @sarahturner8678 4 роки тому

      I had the same exact thought! I am only saying this because it is nice to know someone else would have known what I was talking about.

    • @sarahturner8678
      @sarahturner8678 4 роки тому +1

      I also want to be a kuker.

  • @eduardopadilla5505
    @eduardopadilla5505 4 роки тому

    Interesting video!

  • @almudenavaradecordero7795
    @almudenavaradecordero7795 4 роки тому +6

    Beautiful

  • @lingalook1
    @lingalook1 2 місяці тому

    Wow- Fantastik- thank you for shearing this.

  • @MoonLight-eo4fm
    @MoonLight-eo4fm Рік тому +1

    Ilike so much kukeri hair costume so very good

  • @gideonvandijk6149
    @gideonvandijk6149 4 роки тому +3

    Beautiful! Where can I find more of Tim Laing’s music?

  • @Zumbagirl517
    @Zumbagirl517 3 роки тому +2

    The girl in the intro part reminds me of a volleyball 🏐 player or basketball player! She looks fit!!!

  • @Johnkels100
    @Johnkels100 4 роки тому +3

    These traditions were developed in all cultures as a celebration and connection of our Devine consciousness, we must not lose any more. For me i am off to Pembrokeshire returning to the home of the stones for stone henge

  • @Akkodha-
    @Akkodha- Рік тому +2

    I 100% support this

  • @handlemonium
    @handlemonium 2 роки тому +1

    Awesome

  • @DegreesOfThree
    @DegreesOfThree 4 роки тому +12

    A great way to give your neighbor's dog a heart attack.

  • @efectoyoga7
    @efectoyoga7 Рік тому +1

    EPIC!

  • @blablabla8975
    @blablabla8975 3 роки тому +1

    Fantastik

  • @casz7098
    @casz7098 2 роки тому +1

    I love this

  • @viniciusfelix2405
    @viniciusfelix2405 4 роки тому +2

    wow!!!

  • @bestmedicineismusic
    @bestmedicineismusic Рік тому +2

    There are more of this "pagan leftovers" - for example the Swiss "tschäggättä"

  • @zargonfuture4046
    @zargonfuture4046 Рік тому +2

    👏👏👏

  • @64t120r
    @64t120r 3 роки тому +5

    I would love to have this tradition in the country I live in. Anyone know where to get long haired goat hides in the U.S.?

    • @msaprofessionals2996
      @msaprofessionals2996 2 роки тому +1

      Go to Bulgaria to celebrate or you come to the motherland Africa.

  • @simeonsimeonov5205
    @simeonsimeonov5205 Рік тому +3

    Why it starts 6th century? It is much older...

    • @varany3376
      @varany3376 Рік тому

      It is most likely older, but we have no actual evidence of it being older.

  • @theworld8237
    @theworld8237 3 роки тому +4

    Omg , in north africa morocco exactly the middle of this country we have a similar carnaval that the Amazigh people of there « souss » do the sale carnaval and we call it « bilmawn» . It’s very old here , I meant there’s no way of imitation of yours we have it even before internet distribution
    Thats a vidéo of what I’m talking about ua-cam.com/video/SwgKqSJ4Hn8/v-deo.html

  • @zhentaohe9962
    @zhentaohe9962 4 роки тому +1

    可爱的人儿

  • @Zumbagirl517
    @Zumbagirl517 3 роки тому +2

    Little boy has a sweet face!

  • @praszu
    @praszu 6 місяців тому +1

    Two more weeks, see you in Pernik.

  • @phlyphlo
    @phlyphlo 5 місяців тому

    Not like I am evil spirit or anything, theses guys DID chase me out of Bulgaria....... What I could not sleep. Bulgairan Choir was the only thing that could lull me to sleep. I mean... so what I may had required them, I just get cranky.

  • @eburalik
    @eburalik 6 місяців тому

    長生天Tengrism like how they dance.Kukeri sounds like Tenerife.

  • @toddaulner5393
    @toddaulner5393 Рік тому +1

    If I saw them in my woods I would be so freaked out!

    • @moisiewe
      @moisiewe Рік тому

      💩👖?

    • @varany3376
      @varany3376 Рік тому

      You would hear them from far away, because the bells are super loud, but scaring you (and then comforting you) is part of the custom.

  • @angieseven5687
    @angieseven5687 Рік тому

    once it came to happen that spirit woman lost her male
    walking on her path desperately feeling incomplete
    she took a rest underneath a tree and fell asleep
    while dreaming she heard a bird's melodic voice from inside the resting tree , saying , my beloved i am your heart to follow at
    she woke up , went up to walk the forest
    found fur and bell beneath a spring of water, so she
    dressed herself up with them
    stepped into the sun light and started dancing.....

  • @ThatLadyBird
    @ThatLadyBird 3 місяці тому

    Gonna need a magnifying glass to watch this unless you speak Bulgarian.

  • @Zumbagirl517
    @Zumbagirl517 3 роки тому +1

    4:24 skip-skip-skip-skip!

  • @dadocraft
    @dadocraft 4 роки тому +1

    🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬

  • @vttfab4159
    @vttfab4159 4 роки тому +2

    Anti tristesse tonitruante et tonifiante

  • @malikadtjah6361
    @malikadtjah6361 3 роки тому +2

    Iam here because of lindemann

  • @BBERRABINU
    @BBERRABINU 2 роки тому

    *не схващам?!*

  • @ivankadinkova6232
    @ivankadinkova6232 3 роки тому +1

    🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬

  • @makybox
    @makybox 4 роки тому +3

    Now we know where furries come from

  • @prettyprudent5779
    @prettyprudent5779 4 роки тому +3

    9:27 minutes of my life.

  • @alvarovasquez5999
    @alvarovasquez5999 2 роки тому +1

    This is ugly!

  • @yuhboris304
    @yuhboris304 4 роки тому +5

    Beautiful

  • @makoto_saihara
    @makoto_saihara 2 роки тому +2

    Beautiful