Baba Marta

Another national holiday related to Bulgarian folklore is the Baba Marta (Grandma Marta) custom. According to folk beliefs, Baba Marta is a mythical character whose name is related to the name of the month of March. Baba Marta is accompanied by various rituals dedicated to the spring’s arrival.

 The most famous custom related to Baba Marta is that everybody in the country is decorating themselves with a martenitsa (made of twisted white and red threads) on the 1st of March. It is believed that the custom of tying a martenitsa originates from the ancient Bulgarians, whose khans used to decorate their fellow tribesmen with a martenitsa for strength in battle, good health and long life.