Holiday in red and white – who is Baba Marta?
The first day of March in Bulgaria is a special day, that brings joy, positive emotions, and… colors. More specifically – white and red – the colors of Baba Marta, one of the most favorite holidays of both children and adults.
Baba Marta (in Bulgarian means Grandma Marta - “Баба Марта”) is centuries-old tradition when the Bulgarians mark the symbolic arrival of the spring. It is one of the most important celebrations in Bulgarian culture. During this day people exchange Martenitsi, which are small woven ornaments made of white and red threads, as gifts to wish one another good health, and happiness.
The preparation for the holiday starts weeks in advance. All towns and villages are decorated with the colors of the holiday. Martenitsi are sold in every big or small supermarket and grocery store. Even in school most teachers are teaching their students on how to prepare Martenitsi by themselves. So, when the big day arrive everybody is ready to “shower” their friends and families with Martenitsi.
How to use the martenitsi?
There are different ways to use the Martenitsi. The main tradition is to wear them on your wrist, neck, or pinned to your clothes for as long as snow is visible on the ground or until you see stork or a blossoming tree. After that you put your Martenitsa on the blooming tree.
Giving Martenitsi as a gift is considered as a gesture of goodwill and well-wishing. For people working in big companies with a lot of staff, or for students where there are more than 20 people in one class, it is very challenging to put all the gifted Martenitsi on their bodies. It is common to see both adults and children walking down the street with their arm covered with Martenitsi up to the elbow.
Another way to celebrate the holidays it to decorate your home, such as hanging Martenitsi on your windows, doors, or fireplace. This adds a festive touch to your home and shows your appreciation for Bulgarian culture. Some artists use them in arts and crafts projects, such as making bracelets, necklaces, or decorations.
Who is Baba Marta?
Now you know that the official symbol of the holiday is the Martenitsa. Then why the holiday is called Baba Marta? The legends and traditions about Marta are numerous.
The main tradition about Baba Marta is related to ancient pagan history from the Balkan Peninsula, related to all agricultural nature cults. Some of the most specific features of the March 1st, and especially the tying of twisted white and red woolen threads, are the fruit of a centuries-old tradition that was inherent in Thracian (Paleo-Balkan) and Hellenic customs .
Baba Marta is also a mythical creature in Bulgarian folklore. In folklore beliefs her name relates to the name of the month of March. There are three months that are personified in Bulgarian mythical representations - January, February and March. January and February are presented as brothers with a fierce character - Big Sechko and Little Sechko. Baba Marta is considered their sister, who is sometimes smiling, sometimes unpredictably evil.
The origin of Baba Marta legend is indeed mythical, but it is a fact that nowadays people truly enjoy and observe the traditions of the holiday, which has withstood the changes of the different times.
Song about Baba Marta
Finally, I suggest you two paragraphs from a Bulgarian and English version of a famous song about Baba Marta. Let’s practice our Bulgarian language together! If you want to ask questions about the lyrics, why don’t you join our “Practice your language” forum.
Баба Марта бързала,
(Baba Marta barzala)
мартенички вързала:
(martenichki varzala)
морави, зелени,
(moravi, zeleni,)
бели и червени.
(beli I cherveni)
Първом на гората —
(purvom na gorata)
да листят листата.
(da listyat listata)
И да дойдат всичките:
(I da doidat vsichkite)
щъркелите, птичките,
(shturkelite, ptichkite)
English translation
Grandma Marta was in a hurry,
To tied the Мartenichki:
lawns, greens,
White and red.
First to the forest -
to leaf the leaves.
And make them all to come back:
the storks, the birds…