Bulgaria Inside

Nestinarstvo or fire dancing is an old Bulgarian ritual that is still practiced in several Strandzha Mountain villages. In the beginning of the 20th century, the ritual spread to some Greek settlements after Bulgarians relocated from the Strandzha region.

The dances were mentioned for the first time in writings from 1862. Some historians believe that the ritual has pagan origin, despite the fact that the firedancers carry icons in their hands. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church persecuted nestinari and claimed that they were possessed by the devil.

The authentic ritual used to take place on June 3, the day of St. Konstantin and Elena. Today, some nestinari dance on other occasions, mainly to entertain tourists.

Only certain people can dance on burning embers. They often are members of families that have practiced the ritual long time. The leading dancer gets the title from his or her parents after they become too old to dance.

On the day of the festivities, nestinari meet in a small chapel, where the icons of St. Konstantin and St. Elena are kept. Drums and bagpipes produce special melodies that enable dancers enter a state of trance.

Nestinari in some villages spend an entire day in the chapel, listening to the hypnotic music.

A fire is started on the main village square. Only embers remain by nighttime. The fire ring usually has diameter of two m. The leading dancer steps on the burning embers first. He always carries the icon.

The dancers are known to remain in state of trance throughout the ritual. Sometimes, they have been able to predict the future.

Similar rituals are known to take place in other parts of the world, as well.