• Nefie Eminkova, 21, has her face painted in preparation for her wedding in the village of Ribnovo, Bulgaria. AFP
    Nefie Eminkova, 21, has her face painted in preparation for her wedding in the village of Ribnovo, Bulgaria. AFP
  • Bulgarian Pomak (Bulgarian speaking Muslims) bride Nefie Eminkova, 21, poses during her wedding ceremony in the village of Ribnovo, on January 9, 2022. - Dark blonde Nefie Eminkova, 21, and her fiancee Schaban Kiselov, 24, are tying the knot in a flurry of bright colours, flowers, dancing and blessings. (Photo by Nikolay DOYCHINOV / AFP)
    Bulgarian Pomak (Bulgarian speaking Muslims) bride Nefie Eminkova, 21, poses during her wedding ceremony in the village of Ribnovo, on January 9, 2022. - Dark blonde Nefie Eminkova, 21, and her fiancee Schaban Kiselov, 24, are tying the knot in a flurry of bright colours, flowers, dancing and blessings. (Photo by Nikolay DOYCHINOV / AFP)
  • Kiselov chats with his friends in a club before his wedding. Pomaks from Ribnovo wed only in the winter, in ceremonies that last for two or three days. Each bride must marry with her eyes closed, her face painted white and adorned with sequins. Getty
    Kiselov chats with his friends in a club before his wedding. Pomaks from Ribnovo wed only in the winter, in ceremonies that last for two or three days. Each bride must marry with her eyes closed, her face painted white and adorned with sequins. Getty
  • Kiselov and Eminkova pose for a picture in front of their dowry. Getty
    Kiselov and Eminkova pose for a picture in front of their dowry. Getty
  • About one million Muslims live in Bulgaria, approximately 10 per cent of the country’s population. Getty
    About one million Muslims live in Bulgaria, approximately 10 per cent of the country’s population. Getty
  • Eminkova walks along a street in her traditional make-up and costume. Getty
    Eminkova walks along a street in her traditional make-up and costume. Getty
  • Relatives carry gifts and banners during the ceremony. The bride must keep her eyes closed to the colourful feast surrounding her until an imam blesses the couple. AFP
    Relatives carry gifts and banners during the ceremony. The bride must keep her eyes closed to the colourful feast surrounding her until an imam blesses the couple. AFP
  • Guests tuck into a wedding banquet. Getty
    Guests tuck into a wedding banquet. Getty
  • The bride and groom are greeted by relatives. AFP
    The bride and groom are greeted by relatives. AFP
  • Eminkova and Kiselov. Guests traditionally pin money on the bride and groom when they marry. AFP
    Eminkova and Kiselov. Guests traditionally pin money on the bride and groom when they marry. AFP
  • Dancing is an important part of Pomak nuptials. AFP
    Dancing is an important part of Pomak nuptials. AFP
  • The bride is covered in money. AFP
    The bride is covered in money. AFP
  • A wedding guest carries her baby in a colourful sling. AFP
    A wedding guest carries her baby in a colourful sling. AFP
  • Eminkova, now wearing conventional make-up, dances with her husband and other guests. Getty
    Eminkova, now wearing conventional make-up, dances with her husband and other guests. Getty
  • Guests in colourful costumes dance during the wedding. AFP
    Guests in colourful costumes dance during the wedding. AFP
  • Guests perform the traditional Bulgarian Horo dance. Getty
    Guests perform the traditional Bulgarian Horo dance. Getty
  • A woman watches the procession from a balcony. Getty
    A woman watches the procession from a balcony. Getty
  • People hold hands to dance the Horo. Getty
    People hold hands to dance the Horo. Getty
  • A boy fires a rifle in celebration. Getty
    A boy fires a rifle in celebration. Getty

World

A Bulgarian Pomak winter wedding - in pictures

Ceremonies last three days

The National

January 10, 2022

  • English
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Updated: January 10, 2022, 4:33 PM
PhotographyBulgariaEurope