Visit the Kukeri Festival Surva 2025

For visitors to Bulgaria, it is fascinating to witness kukeri parades. Kukeri is a word thought to be derived from Latin, from the word for “hood”. In Bulgaria it is used about men who perform rituals during Kukeri festivals in Bulgaria to chase evil spirits, and their attire is especially picturesque. They wear animal masks, made of wood, with horns; some of the masks are even double-faced, to symbolize good and evil. They are mostly masks of rams, goats, and bulls, and can be adorned with colorful pieces of cloth, mirror pieces, etc. The colors in Kukeri’s masks are carefully chosen: red prevails, to remind of the revival in nature, the sun, and nature’s fertility, black is added to symbolize earth, and white stands for light and water.

Hanging on kukeri’s waists are large bells, made from copper or brass, which sound as the performers of the ritual do their dancing. Chasing evil spirits by Kukeri can be witnessed both in the period around New Year’s Day and prior to Lent.

The dances performed by Kukeri take place at night. That is done to avoid being caught by the sun’s rays. The procession of Kukeri goes through the village and rings their bells, pushing away evil spirits by the bell chiming and their scary costumes made of sheep or goat pelts. But they also bring another benefit with their dances.

The popular belief is that kukeri dances ensure auspicious harvest and health for the villagers. Having gone around the village, the group of kukeri gathered in the central square. There they launch into picturesque dancing and everyone gathers to watch.

In some villages, on New Year’s Eve, the so-called “Camels” ritual is performed. The “camel” consists of two small willow trees, about 1 to 1.5 meters high, joined by rods. That is the skeleton which is covered with cloth. The “camel” head is covered with hide, and at its back, some bells are attached. The camel carries a young lad who is strong and healthy, to be able to defeat another “camel” if he comes across it. Other lads dress in fur coats, with bells at the waist, and masks on their faces. These lads are called “dividzhii”.

They also hold wooden swords and maces in their hands, and together with the “camel” perform ritual movements. To be able to bring prosperity and fertility to the village, the lads should not let the villagers recognize them. The ritual movements include jumping, to help wheat grow high; lying on the ground, to help make wheat ears heavy, and lying on the ground too; rolling on the ground, said to bring earth’s strength to people.  The bell sounds help to chase evil spirits away.

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