Mellowing Baba Marta’s Temper: The Ancient Bulgarian Martenitsa Tradition
Transitions from one to the other have been perceived as capricious and potentially dangerous from time immemorial. Transitional moments, periods or even epochs have been celebrated as being in-between time and space when the old is still there and the new is yet to begin. In Anthropology, being on such a threshold has been called a liminal moment which can be highlighted by a rite. The month of March is such a time period as winter is not yet over, and spring is only one wish away. We can still expect snow, but also see the first snowdrop buds in that very snow. In fact, we really don’t know what to expect in March, and so Baba Marta or Grandmother March personifies this in a perfect way.
Baba Marta is the capricious crone of Bulgarian folklore. You never know if she is in a good mood to provide plenty, or if she is not amused and gives us snow once more, and possibly misfortune as well. Baba Marta ensures that we can begin the new year with a clean slate as she provides a last snowy storm. In ancient folk tales, she does this quite literally. As she shakes her matrass when cleaning the house to make it ready for spring, its feathers fall on the earth as the last snowflakes in a long time. In this regard, Baba Marta shows similarity with the Northern European Frau Holle. In the Netherlands, it is said that when it’s snowing “Vrouw Holle (or Hulda) is making her bed.” And so, this ancient elderly goddess can ensure both prosperity and misfortune. Hoping for good fortune and sunny days, folk customs and rituals have been given to us by our ancestors to keep Baba Marta satisfied and happy. For a good-humored Baba Marta means a sunny March and the coming of spring soon. Wearing a martenitsa is crucial, because who wants to tempt Baba Marta?
It is believed that the folk celebration of Baba Marta on the first of March has ancient pagan origins. Red and white colored martenitsi are braided as an amulet to ward off evil. It also functions as a charm to attract good health and posterity. Today still, friends and family gift each other (and even their pets) a martenitsa when incantating the magic words: “Честита Баба марта” (Chestita Baba Marta, which is Bulgarian for “Happy Baba Marta”) wishing one another all the best. Wrists decorated with many martenitsi almost seems to have become a popularity contest nowadays. However, the symbolism of the colorful bracelets runs deep. Whereas the white string stands for the purity of the white snow that is about to melt, the red string is the red sun of spring which is full of new life and vitality. By braiding the threads, two become one in perfect harmony: the martenitsi therewith symbolize the liminal moment between winter and spring which is where the magic of March 1 happens. For Bulgarians, this is the rebirth of spring and the promise of new life. A male and female doll in respectively white and red portray Пижо и Пенда (Pizho and Penda), the couple who herald the coming of new life during spring. They are the magical couple that give the spark to move from the one to the next, from winter to spring, and from death to life. Let us therefore try to mellow Baba Marta’s temper for a swift and prosperous transition on the wheel of life.
When would we be sure the liminal time between winter and spring is over? When has Baba Marta given us mercy at last? According to Bulgarian folk tradition, keep an eye for the first stork, or the first blossoming tree. This is nature’s sign to start celebrating that spring has come at last. Bulgarians have kept the tradition to either tie their martenitsi to the branch of a green tree, or burry them under a stone. The first custom gives us a beautify sight of trees decorated in white and red. The latter rite is a form of divination as the next day, the martenitsi are dug up and the nearest creature that shows up will be interpreted to predict what is to come that year.
With white and red entangled martenitsi on our wrist, we await the time of the first stork and the first green leave, and then - only then - can we be sure that Baba Marta has blessed us with good health and prosperity. Честита Баба марта!
