Paper Doll – Baba Marta
This is the Baba Marta doll, made of paper, wooden spoon and yarn. The pictures were sent to us by Eli Radkova, teacher of Maya the Bee group from “Chuchuliga” kindergarten, Plovdiv.
You need:
- cardboard paper – large piece (35/50 cm) for a cone (the body of the doll)
- cardboard paper – small piece (35/50 cm), split by half for two smaller cones (hands)
- yarn (different colors)
- PVA glue
- wooden spoon
- piece of cloth
What is ‘martenitsa’?
In Bulgarian folklore the month of March is often portrayed as a plump, cheerful old lady, “baba Marta”. The 1st day of her reign is celebrated with red and white ornaments in various designs – as bracelets, brooches, pom-poms…
The origins of this ritual are lost in time, but the meaning is clear – they are luck charms you give away to wish good health (and good looks, too!) Friends, family, even pets and domestic animals get one.They are also a countdown to spring – you wear them every day until you see the first stork, or swallow, or blossoming tree. Then you take themartenitsa off and tie it to a branch.
