CHESTITA BABA MARTA

Честита Баба Марта!

As winter loosens its grip and spring peeks over the horizon, you start seeing people wearing red&white knitted bracelets. Have you ever wondered the backstory of those knitted bracelets? If so, you are at the right place for it.

In Bulgarian folklore, Baba Marta (Баба Марта), which translates to "Granny March," is a character who marks the arrival of spring by chasing away winter.As she brings the spring, Bulgaria comes alive with a vibrant tradition called Martenitsa. On the first day of March, Bulgarians celebrate a holiday with her namesake by exchanging and wearing martenitsa, to welcome spring.

To please Baba Marta and usher in sunshine, Bulgarians used to hang red threads outside their homes starting on March 1. On this day the new farming season is said to begin. Over time, these threads transformed into the charming Martenitsa we see today. Martenitsas are small ornaments, most often made of red and white yarn, symbolizing the coming of good health and good fortune.

While white traditionally represents longevity and red signifies health and strength, some beliefs associate white with purity and virginity, and red with femininity and vitality. This sense of beauty and symbolism extends to the martenitsa's form, with later periods introducing various shapes like tassels, balls, and even human figures. However, the most iconic figures remain the red and white thread dolls, Pijo and Penda.

The festivities begin to be celebrated on March 1 by chanting “Честита Баба Марта!” (Chestita Baba Marta! / Happy Baba Marta!) People exchange Martenitsa with loved ones, a gesture of well-being wishes. Traditionally, you would not buy one for yourself; receiving a Martenitsa is a token of care and affection.

Bulgarians wear martenitsa for a certain period, they wait for signs of spring, like a blooming flower or returning swallows or storks. Upon seeing them, they make a wish and remove their Martenitsa. In some regions, they tie it to a fruit tree, transferring their good luck to the blossoming branches. Some people place it under a rock and based on

what they find there the next morning guess what kind of a year this one would be.

Martenitsa are more than just ornaments; they're a vibrant expression of hope and resilience. The red and white threads, like the changing moods of March, represent the battle between winter's last gasp and the promise of spring. So, if you're ever in Bulgaria during this time, don't be surprised to see a splash of red and white adorning wrists and lapels – it's a delightful reminder that spring, with all its beauty and bounty, is just around the corner.

The Bulgarian tradition resembles folklore known in parts of Asia and South America, to wear a lucky bringing friendship bracelet around the wrist until it wears out. It also resembles the German tradition of hanging empty eggs in blossoming trees during the (now Christian) Eastern folklore and the Persian tradition of hanging fruit in trees at midwinter.

Do not forget to gift Martenitsa to your loved ones, Chestita Baba Marta!

REFERENCES:

http://www.uzunkopru.gov.tr/martenicka#:~:text=Marteniçkalar%20el%20yapımıdır%2C%20asla%20satın,Baba%20Marta!”%20şeklinde%20kutlanır

https://bnr.bg/en/post/100188501/bulgarians-celebrate-today-granny-martas-day?page_1_4=8

https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/galeri-cestita-baba-marta-ne-demek-bir-mart-gunu-baba-martanin-tarihcesi-42013432/3

https://www.istockphoto.com/tr/fotoğraflar/baba-marta

My Turkish grandfather, an immigrant from Bulgaria

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