Babinden is a traditional Bulgarian holiday, which is believed to have its origins in distant Proto-Slavic times. Today, January 8th, the Day of Maternity Assistance, Midwives and Gynecologists is celebrated, as well as Babinden in a new style. According to the old style, Babinden is celebrated on January 21st. You may be wondering what is the relationship between medical specialists and our grandmothers? In this article you will learn interesting facts about this folk custom...
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In the past, when medicine was not yet so developed, "grandmothers" were the women who helped young brides to give birth at home. As a sign of gratitude and appreciation to midwives, the Babinden holiday arose. The motto of this day - respect and honor to the elders - remains valid to this day.
The former Bulgarian women, whose children were from one to three years old, used to get up early in the morning on January 21st to go and pour fresh water before sunrise. Traditionally, a geranium is placed in the cauldron of water. During the day, the brides go to the grandmother's house to perform the "watering" ritual together. This watering rite is performed in the garden under the fruit tree, or else on the stairs, with the grandmother washing her hands with soap and water brought by the young bride. The grandmother-midwife then wipes her wet hands on the younger woman's clothes. The grandmother also sews a bunch of geraniums with martenichka to the young mother. Finally, the grandmother usually throws water up three times, jumping up and down and uttering the words "Let the children squeal and turn white and red!" How many drops, so much blessing and health!". This tradition is related to the call for young brides to be fertile and give birth easily.
In many Bulgarian customs "gifts" are left to someone, Babinden is no exception in this category. After the watering rite, the grandmother-midwife was given shirts, socks and cloth. In order to return the gesture, the grandmother tied on the right hand of the children she gave birth to (caught after birth) a martenichka with a silver coin, and separately she gave them shirts and socks. Finally, the old woman washes the little one's face with the water. According to beliefs, the water that passed through the hands of Babinden's grandmother has a purifying power. In relation to water, it is also known that already after the birth, the grandmother-midwife filled a pitcher with water to take to the church. After the water was consecrated by a priest, the mother had to wash her child with it until the 40th day after birth.
At noon on January 21, the Bulgarian women gathered at the grandmother's house, bringing feasts and beer. The festive lunch was full of songs, dances, jokes and banter. In some parts of Bulgaria, additional rites were performed in order for a mother to have many children. The women's holiday ends after lunch at the grandmother's table, when men can join.
