We celebrate Babinden on 8th January each year. It is a fun and lively celebration for Midwives and Obstetricians.

Babinden is one of the great national women’s holidays in Bulgaria. It celebrates grandmothers and older ladies in society and their role in supporting women with childbirth. Originally, this holiday was pagan and came from distant Proto-Slavic times. Also, at this celebration women celebrate with each other. Men are not usually present. Women dress up as brides, doctors and grandmas and enjoy celebrating new life and families.

Today, Babinden has lost a lot of its ritual customs. The elder ladies celebrate and enjoy the day with much laughter and merriment. Even before sunrise, mothers with children from one to three years of age go to the fountain to pour fresh water. One old lady places a sprig of basil or geranium in the cooking pot with the water. They take soap and a new towel and head to the grandmother’s house to enact a “water” ritual. Next, they perform the ritual under a fruit tree in the garden, on the lawn or in front of the stairs. Each woman hands the grandmother the soap, pours water to wash herself and presents her with the towel she has brought. Finally, the grandmother wipes her wet hands on the skirts of the brides – to be fertile and give birth easily.

The grandmother adorns the bride with a bunch of geraniums, tied with “martenichka” – red and white thread. Often, when watering, the grandmother throws her handfuls of water up and jumps three times, saying: “Let the children squeal and turn white and red!”. Furthermore, the next phrase is usually, How many drops of water, so many blessings and much good health!”. After the watering ceremony, the women present the grandmother with shirts, socks, cloth, which they throw over her right shoulder.

However, In some areas, it is customary for mothers to bring their children on Babinden to their grandmother until they are three years old to bless them. After lunch, men can join the grandmother’s table.

Dragizhevo Village’s Celebrations

Dragizhevo ladies celebrate Babinden each year. The newspaper wrote an aricle. See the article here. See the videos below for a taste of the celebration.

https://www.facebook.com/100066358675753/videos/533680692064072/

https://www.facebook.com/100066358675753/videos/861833751791039/

For other cultural days see our cultural blog posts. Also check out Jordan’s Day which was recently celebrated.