Lazarice
Lazarice in Serbian language and Lazaruvane in Bulgarian language is tradition of procession during the Bulgarian Orthodox feast of Lazareva Subota (Lazarus Saturday, the Bulgarian Orthodox feast is different from other churches) the parade consists of six maids.
Lazarki day is a Bulgarian traditional festive day for young girls. It is only one day in the year usually - Saturday before the day of flowers (Flowerday). Girls who became women during the last year are called Lazarki. They perform ritual Lazaruvane. The girls decorate in a colorful and rich way their hairs (usually with flower and ribbon wreaths) and go around the village singing songs and dancing, in this way showing they are ready to get married. As they stop from house to house, the hosts would give them small presents and food for gratitude.
Once a girl become Lazarka, she can be engaged and married.
References
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lazareva Subota. |
- Ђорђевић Д. Живот и обичаjи народни у Лесковачкоj Морави. — Београд, 1958.
- Каменова А. Пролетни обичаи от Чипровци // Българска етнография. Българска етнология. — София, 1992. — № 4. — С. 40-46.
- Маринов Д. Народна вяра и религиозни народни обичаи. — София, 1914.