On the Symbolic Meaning of Dolls in the Calendar Traditions of the Balkan Peoples

Authors:

Pages: 272-283

Abstract:

In a comparatively small group of customs related to the annual calendar cycle of the Bulgarians and other Balkan peoples, tradition requires that special anthropomorphic ritual dolls are to be made. Actually these dolls will be the object of this study. But before that it is worth mentioning that the word “doll” in peoples’ minds is usually associated with everyday playthings of children, mainly rag dolls or with the puppet theatre typical of the traditional culture and folk art in the Catholic world, as well as with the masks of the kukeri (mummers). Besides, the term “doll” is often used to denote specific ritual loaves of bread dedicated to various calendar holidays, as well as cross tombstones in particular regions of the Balkans. What is the symbolic meaning of dolls in the traditional practices studied – the rainmaking rituals German and Skaloyan, the feast day of Saint Lazarus, Christmas, St. Theodore’s Day. On some occasions the doll is a peculiar counterpart – a “substitute” for a particular individual. Such is the case with the doll-like sepulchral wooden crosses or tombstones which are intended to remind of the gender of the deceased buried below; the cases of metal or wax motifs with human figurines suspended on church icons and finally the instance of placing a doll inside the tomb of a deceased twin or one-month baby, which is supposed to perform the function of its “brother” or “sister” in the netherworld of the dead. On other occasions the doll is a kind of personification of some superior divine force which is treated by everyone with respect and deference. Most typical in this respect is the case of the Yule log dressed in human clothes which is revered by everybody and is called Grandpa Bozhich or Father Christmas (Santa Claus). Similar is the case with the two clay figures of the father of sun and of the mother of rain, characteristic of the Romanian tradition. To this group we can assign the doll of the dying and resurrected Lazarus. But there are instances when the doll is a symbol of an evil-doing demonic power which should be exorcised by a burning ritual. This is evidenced by the rite customs involving the doll of the sick Todorcho and of Judas the Apostle, Christ’s betrayer. Dolls are also present in an extensive group of customs wherein sacrifice is a fundamental component. To this group of customs I would refer the burial of Gherman, German or Skaloyan respectively practiced by Bulgarians, Serbs and Romanians. In honour of the portentous and demonic baba Sharka (granny Measles) anthropomorphic loaves of bread are given away to propitiate the mythical disease carrier. And last but not least, dolls are present in a wide range of maiden consecration customs the basic function of which is expressed in the need of maids to demonstrate before 273 the community their new social status which makes them perfectly eligible to enter into matrimony. The Lazar doll wearing a red veil, a typical matrimonial symbol, the doll fiancйe in the custom Svetoto (the Sacred) and the bread dolls which the lazarki (girls dancing on St. Lazarus feast day) throw into the waters of the river at the kumichene ritual to see who will be the first to become a wedding sponsor, as well as the Mara lishanka doll, they all carry a strongly emphasized symbolic meaning.

Keywords:

anthropomorphic ritual dolls, symbolic meaning of dolls

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