Text size

Bulgarians celebrate Petlyovden (Rooster Day) - the male holiday for fertility

published on 2/2/24 5:05 AM

Photo: BGNES

On February 2, according to the Bulgarian folk calendar, it is Petlyovden (Rooster Day) - a day dedicated to the health and fertility of male offspring. It is most widely popular in Eastern Bulgaria.

One of the obligatory elements is the sacrifice of a rooster. It is performed by women, mothers of male children, or by a boy who has not reached sexual maturity (called a "petelar"). In some settlements, the sacrificial bird must be black in color. The mother or peterel performs the sacrifice on the threshold of the road gate.

A sign of the cross is also made with blood on the faces of the boys, on the doors of the home. The mothers give pieces from the cooked rooster to neighbours, along with pieces of pita bread.

Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!

Radio Bulgaria Folklore Bulgarian folk traditions folk calendar Petlyovden Rooster Day

More from category

The cuckoo calls for the first time, animals awaken from their winter sleep on Blagovets

The feast of the Annunciation (Blagoveshtenie in Bulgaria) is a holy day , a symbol of God’s infinite mercy to people and especially to women, blessed to bear new life, but also an embodiment of the eternal human longing for something better in the..

published on 3/25/25 11:05 AM

Masquerade Games Festival is being held in Bulgaria's Stara Zagora

Clocks and bells will ring out in the center of Stara Zagora on Saturday, when the city will host the XXIV Masquerade Games Festival . The event will start with a traditional parade of participants. Attractive babugers, araps, old men and other..

published on 3/15/25 11:36 AM

88 years since the birth of the nightingale of Thrace region - folk singer Nadka Karadzhova

Today marks the 88th anniversary of the birth of remarkable Bulgaria folk singer Nadka Karadzhova . Born on March 14, 1937 in the then Pazardzhik village of Trivoditsi (today - Plovdiv region), she is a descendant of an old musical family. At the age..

published on 3/14/25 2:00 PM