Pomak Brides, Bulgaria

[Kazimiera]

Bulgarian minority honours age-old wedding rites

Read more here: http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/world/bulgarian-minority-honours-age-old-wedding-rites/article/371323

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The communists tried hard to stamp out the culture of Bulgaria's rural Pomak minority, and since then tough times in the European Union's poorest country have made many leave, but one village is keeping traditions alive.

Nestled in the southern snow-capped Rhodope Mountains, each winter Ribnovo rolls back the centuries for workers returning from construction and farming jobs in Germany, Britain or Israel to tie the knot in extraordinary Muslim weddings.

For happy couple Letve Osmanova and Refat Avdikov, both 21, their two-day nuptials start with a display of the bride's dowry -- everything from socks and a washing machine to the marriage bed -- on the street for all to admire.

The main part comes on day two when away from prying male eyes, two aunts ritually slap a thick layer of white face paint onto Letve's face, then stick on hundreds of colourful sequins to form flowers.

A red veil and streaks of shiny tinsel garlands frame the bride's painted face, rendering her unrecognisable and more like a doll than a woman.

She is then led through the village home in a merry procession accompanied by traditional music and presented to her husband-to-be, her brightly coloured attire contrasting with his more "European" get-up of white suit and black shirt.

Alcohol, however, is forbidden.

And in this closed Pomak society -- whose Christian ancestors were converted to Islam during Bulgaria's Ottoman rule from the 14th to 19th centuries -- the young couple were also not allowed any public show of tenderness before the wedding.

Not only that, the bride also keeps her eyes closed throughout the proceedings.


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[Kotrag]

Pomak is a name for a Bulgarian who converted to islam during ottoman rule, the Pomaks should stop their treachery and convert back to orthodoxy.

[Kazimiera]

Pomak is a name for a Bulgarian who converted to islam during ottoman rule, the Pomaks should stop their treachery and convert back to orthodoxy.

How about just enjoying the pictures without a commentary on religion and history.

[Kotrag]

How about just enjoying the pictures without a commentary on religion and history.

This is a cultural forum, just about everything people post about here has something to do with cultural commentary, religion, history, or geopolitics.