WOMEN IN BULGARIA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 262, 2 December 1876, Page 2

WOMEN IN BULGARIA

My mission to Bulgaria avoh a purely political one ; but being of a philosophical turn ot mind, 1 thought I might obtain some information concerning Avhat I will term "the fair sex" — although I was soon convinced that beauty in Bulgaria is something like the blossom of the aloe, only to be met with once . in tlie hundred years. During a term of some Aveeks 1 obtained- a good deal of information, which a\ ill iioav, no doubt, be of considerable interest. The progress of a Bulgarian from the cradle to the grave is (in an ordinary life) a kind oi pilgrimage through the various iorms and ceremonies, buch as exist in perhaps no other " Christian country" in Europe. First, every village has its witch, or wise woman, who acts as general adviser, and even aids the priest in many cases which are beyond Ins very limited poAvers of comprehension. At such a very important event as the birth of a child tins good lady must of course be present, not simply in her capacity of doctor, but in her more mysterious '* spiritual," or rather "anti-spiritual" function. She arrives with A*arious charms, which are presumed to be requisite to Avaru off all evil spirits. To her hands the babe is first con.-igned, and has to submit to a process which, 1 fear, will greatly shock English matrons. The witch rubs the baby all over with salt ; and after reciting a long kind of benediction, returns the child to its mother. (1 have taken the greatest trouble to find out that this " salting" is actually a fact.) According to the rules of the Bulgarian Church, it is a crime to wash a child until it has arrived at the " age of reason." The Church has actually taken the trouble to fix this age at seven years, and not till then, a child may have its first Avash ; but long before that it is carefully taught the hundred and one little formalities of the Bulgarian faith. Even in its most childish actions " young pickle" has always to " beware of evil spirits," and the dreadful consequences which would be the result of the most ordinary action of daily life if not counteracted by some equally simple spell. For iiibtance, if sent to a fountain for a jug of water, it is taught that it must throAV a small portion aAvay before drinking, it and ever so many similar foolish tilings. Presuming lhe child to be a girl, and that she carefully perforins all these rules, and is thus spared from all the dangers of life, the next important step Avill be that of accepting the yoke of a lord and master. The Bulgarian youth chooses his future Avife as the bride of the Vicar of Wakefield did her wedding dress ; he looks out 'for something that will stand hard usage, and considers good bone and muscle the primary qualities in a helpmeet. The Bulgarians are very free from any kind of romance and sentimentality ; they look upon marriage as a purely business transaction. The subject is usually first arranged by the parents. The suitor then sends a deputation of his friends to the fair one's lather, with a formal offer of his hand and heart (to which he might add, " strong aim and a good stick"). The offer being accepted, then comes the important financial question. The mother is loath to part with her daughter, and can only be consoled Avith a little money paid down. Then there is the amount, or rather the value, of the presents to be given by ihe young man to the bride, and this must be arranged between her father and the suitor. Each drives as hard a bargain as he can. These financial subjects being arranged, the next step is the betrothal, and this is a sort of orgie, to Avhich the mutual friends are invited. After a " banquet" consisting of various coarse dishes and plenty of Avine, there is a dance and songs. Then the intended brings in his presents. These are of a very useful nature, such as clothes for tho bride, and a necklaco of coins of gold or silver, which latter is a sort of doAver, and is usually alone Avoith from £3 to £10. This revel is kept up until daybreak. Avhen most of the company, bride elect included, are often far from sober. For some reason I have failed to discover, the marriage never takes place until several months after this betrothal. It is true the bridegroom must build himself a " house ;" but, as the ordinary peasant fanner's hut is a one-roomed hovel — without even a window, and not ten shillings' Avorth of fittings or furniture inside — this need not be a very serious task. When, however, all this is prepared and eA r erythingelse duly arranged, the marriage is celebrated, either at the house of the bride or in a church (provided there is one near enough). There is one fact which I nearly forgot, and that is, that about two days before the marriage the bride is actually obliged to take her first bath, which is the only one that a Bulgarian is eA r er permitted to hike. This performance and the marriage over, there is another great feast at the hoime of the bride. The newly wedded couple are " anointed" Avith a shower of grain, Avhich is poured over them to insure their prosperity in future life. After much eating, but considerably more drinking, the bride and bridegroom are conducted to their " house," and there shut up to pass the honeymoon, which in that country (being a very practical people) only lasts seven days ; but during the time they are kept close prisoners, until a deputation of matrons call for the bride and take her to the village fountain, where, after making a tour of the same three times, the contents of a bucket of water are thrown over her, and she is then considered what some Avould call " very much married." The married life in Bulgaria is not what you Avould expect hi a rural and purely agricultural people.