Happy Baba Marta!

March 1 is one of the most favorite holidays of young and old. With it, we mark the symbolic beginning of the new business year, spring and the rebirth of nature.

Rites and Traditions


The legends and traditions associated with Baba Marta are numerous. According to one of them, she is the sister of Malak and Golyam Sechko (the months of January and February) and is hot and angry because her two brothers either do some great mischief or always drink the wine and do not let her taste it. Another legend tells of a goatherd who took her flock to the mountains early in the morning despite her husband's warnings about bad weather. She was convinced that Baba Marta would grant her good weather, because she was a woman like her. The young woman's words angered and angered the old woman. Not long after, black clouds loomed over the mountain. The goatherd never returned home – she and her herd froze and turned into a pile of stones, from which healing water flowed.

Baba Marta is one of the most revered Bulgarian customs, preserved to this day. According to beliefs, her changeable mood and short temper influence the weather. In the past, it was believed that when she laughs, it will be sunny and warm outside, but when she gets angry, a strong wind blows and clouds cover the sun. That is why a huge part of the traditions and customs associated with this day and the month as a whole are dedicated to appeasing Baba Marta. The belief is that on March 1st, she visits people and crops, dressed in a red cloth, red stockings and a red scarf. People believed that the old woman would only enter a neat and tidy house.

On March 1, Baba Marta visits people and crops, dressed in a red cloth, a red scarf and red stockings. March is the only female month, it is the month of the conception of spring and the earth that will give birth to summer and fertility.

According to some beliefs, this day is also celebrated to protect against snakes and lizards, perceived as potential pests. As a precaution against them, people light a fire, jump over it, ring bells, and go around the house.

On this holiday, everyone gives their loved ones a special amulet, called a martenitsa, for health and strength in the coming year. Martenitsa are made especially for March 1st, when according to the Bulgarian people the new economic year begins.

On March 1st, everyone must wear a martenitsa, especially young children, newlyweds or newborn pets. Martenitsa are worn on the wrists, around the neck as a necklace or on the left side of the clothes. In some Bulgarian regions, the place where the martenitsa is placed depends on social status. Young unmarried girls wear martenitsa on the left side of their clothes, young bachelors wear them on the little finger of their left hand, married men wear martenitsa in their right sock. Martenitsa are also placed on some fruit trees, door handles and cellars.

The old woman also had requirements regarding the people she would meet on March 1st. She did not like to see old women, and so they stayed home so as not to anger her. On the other hand, young girls and children enjoyed her favor, and thanks to them the weather could be warm and sunny. Baba Marta was extremely kind to people who wore martenitsa, which is where the centuries-old tradition of decorating ourselves with white and red threads on this day comes from.

People wear martenitsa for a certain period of time. Usually, the period is associated with the signs of the approaching spring - blossoming trees, meeting the first arriving migratory birds - storks, swallows or cranes. Then people take off the martenitsa and tie it to a blossoming tree or put it under a stone.

Beliefs


Before sunrise, women take something red out into the yard - a piece of clothing, apron, belt or yarn - and leave it there for nine days. It is believed that red will cheer up Baba Marta and the weather will be good.

Grandmothers do not go out early so as not to meet Baba Marta and not to anger her. If girls meet her, the weather will be warm and nice.

Women do not wash or hang white clothes so as not to get frost and hail. To protect against thunder, they do not beat with a bat, do not weave, do not boil anything. Women avoid sewing, knitting, spinning, weaving, and working in the garden.