Mummer’s games in Bulgaria are from St. Basil’s Day to Sirni Zagovezni. During the rest of the year, the scary masks and costumes are carefully put away and kept until the next year. Most often they are placed on the ceiling, because from there they best protect the whole house and those living in it from magic, curses, black and other demonic or evil forces, while attracting health, luck, fertility, abundance, wealth and success.
In order to be protected from evil and endowed with these virtues and other people and houses, souvenir mummer’s masks are made. They are made with the same rituals and the same natural materials as the others, but are designed for hanging on the wall, carrying a bag, briefcase and more.
The making of the masks, although souvenir, must include the obligatory and desirable elements. Each one must be scary and when the evil forces see it, they get scared and run away from home or man. It is very important during the making that the master is healthy (that is, not feverish and exhausted), in a good mood and with positive thinking, because his energy “revives” what he does and if it is positive, then what he has done will bring happiness, luck and good. If the person making the masks is sick, in a bad mood, sad or angry about something, then what he has done will only bring misfortune and trouble. This does not only apply to mummer’s masks, but to everything that is handmade.
The hand injects the energy of the heart and soul into the object, and depending on what it is, it has either happy objects – talismans that we go with or ones that even if we like, we have to throw away because they carry some evil force. .
Some of the main elements of mummer’s masks are teeth, horns, red color, skins of sheep, goat or other animals, feathers, tassels, sequins, mirrors, parts or whole skulls of horned animals (ram, goat, roe deer, deer). An obligatory element of a mummer’s doll or a whole real costume are vats, bells and other bells. An interesting material for making real and souvenir masks is the gourd. Made according to tradition, properly cut, with suitable slits for the eyes, it can be worn even by a child, without giving extra weight to the suit.
According to the ancient Bulgarian beliefs, large souvenir mummer masks are best hung in the office, shop or home so that when a person enters, his eyes first fall on them. Thus, they will neutralize and return the malice or evil thoughts of the visitors, if they come with such. They will also cast out some spells and other black forces. On the other hand, they will attract patrons, partners and help increase profits. They will drive away bad thoughts at home and bring peace and tranquility. These masks have a similar effect to an ostrich egg and it is good to combine with it, then the company or family will be healthy and financially satisfied.
The small mummer’s masks can be worn on both a woman’s and a man’s bag or briefcase, they act like the big ones, but much weaker, because they only protect their owner and help him when there is an important meeting or a problem is to be solved. They can be worn with all talismans and amulets, but the combination with talismans is especially good for attracting luck, work, money, travel and more.
In case of long-term illness or health problems, the combination with a health talisman gives very good results. However, let’s not forget that mummer’s masks do not cure. With their help, treatment will be easier, recovery will be faster, but they can not replace doctors and the necessary treatment.
I have acquaintances who have been holding a souvenir mummer’s mask and a piece of ostrich egg over the barn door for years and claim that since they bought them from me and put them there, the cows hardly get sick, give birth regularly, without problems, raise their calves and have none at all. old problems. The herd has increased significantly, and with it the family’s income.
Having bought a mask, very often after a while the same people buy more because they see the real benefit of them.
It is believed that mummer’s masks will not eliminate the problems, but will significantly help to overcome them and will make life more pleasant and easy by attracting health, luck, success, fertility, wealth and banishing the evil forces that harm us all.
