Bulgarians are a South Slavic ethnic group that emerged during the early Middle Ages through the merging of Bulgars and Slavic tribes with remnants of the local Balkan population, primarily Thracians. There are around 7 million Bulgarians worldwide, predominantly residing in Bulgaria. Bulgarians also live in southern Ukraine and Moldova, bordering regions of North Macedonia, Greece, Serbia, Romania, as well as in the United States, Canada, South America, and Australia. The official language is Bulgarian, written in the Cyrillic alphabet.
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Origins of Bulgarian ethnicity
Modern Bulgarians are the result of the amalgamation of three previously existing ethnic groups: the Turkic-speaking Proto-Bulgars who arrived in the 7th century from the Black Sea steppes, Slavic tribes inhabiting the lands of present-day Bulgaria, and the Thracians who lived on the same lands before the arrival of the Slavs.
The Bulgarian nation emerged around the 7th century through a complex ethno-genesis involving the Franks, who had been living in the Balkans since ancient times, the South Slavs who arrived during the Great Migration period, and the Bulgars themselves. The name of the Bulgarian people, "Bulgarians," originated from the ancient Bulgar tribes.
The latter arrived on the Balkan Peninsula from Great Bulgaria (Bulgaria), which was situated in present-day southern Russia and eastern Ukraine between 632 and 671 AD. After the death of the Bulgarian ruler Kubrat and the dissolution of the state, his son Asparuh led his followers to the Danube, where he founded the First Bulgarian Empire around 680 AD. The empire expanded into Slavic and Frankish territories.
Interestingly, another son of Kubrat, Kotrag, journeyed to the Don River and founded Volga Bulgaria along its shores. Hence, the inhabitants of the Middle Volga region - Tatars and Chuvashes - can be considered ethnically related to the Bulgarians.
The origin of the word "Bulgarians" is still a subject of debate among scholars. Some believe it comes from the Proto-Turkic term "bulgak," meaning "revolt," while others suggest it derives from the Mongolian "bulğarak," meaning "to separate." Another version was proposed by the Arab traveler and missionary Abu Hamid al-Garnati, who visited Volga Bulgaria in 1135 and 1150 AD. According to his account, "Bulgar" is an Arabized form of the local word "balar," which means "wise person."
The Bulgarian language
The Bulgarian language belongs to the southern subgroup of the Slavic branch of the Indo-European language family. There are over 9 million speakers of Bulgarian worldwide. The Bulgarian script is based on the Cyrillic alphabet. Unlike most Slavic languages, Bulgarian has lost its case system, but it utilizes definite and so-called "zero" articles.
Phonetics in Bulgarian speech differ from other Slavic languages by the absence of palatalized consonants. Lexically, the Bulgarian language is quite close to Old Church Slavonic and Macedonian and still contains numerous words considered archaic in East Slavic languages. Due to centuries of Turkish rule, the Bulgarian language includes many words of Turkic origin.
Christianity in Bulgaria
Christianity has deep historical roots in the territory of present-day Bulgaria. As early as the 4th century, Bishop Nikita of Remesiana is said to have baptized the Thracian Bessi tribe. He also translated the Latin Bible for them, which later became known as the Bessian Bible.
The conversion of the Bulgarian people to Christianity occurred in 865 under the rule of Prince Boris. In the following year, Saint Naum, a disciple of Cyril and Methodius, established the Preslav Literary School in Pliska, the capital of the First Bulgarian Empire. During the 9th and 10th centuries, this school emerged as the cultural and religious center for all Slavs. It was within these walls that the Bible, previously available only in Latin, Hebrew, and Greek, was first translated into Old Slavic.
Throughout the socialist era, Bulgarians maintained their religious faith. According to the 2011 census, nearly 78% of the country's population identified as religious, with almost 76% being Orthodox Christians. Bulgarian communities in Moldova and Ukraine also predominantly practice Eastern Christianity.
Bulgarian culture
Bulgarian culture revolves around traditional agriculture, with the cultivation of grains, legumes, tobacco, vegetables, and fruits being significant occupations. Agricultural traditions and festivals play a vital role in Bulgarian society. For instance, during New Year celebrations, Bulgarians exchange cornel branches as a symbol of good health. In March, people wear "martenitsi," red and white thread decorations, throughout the month to welcome the arrival of spring. The wine-making holiday of Trifon Zarezan also has ancient Thracian origins.
Traditional Bulgarian music
Bulgarian folk music is renowned for its distinct melodies, complex rhythms, and unique vocal styles. The country's folk songs often tell stories of love, bravery, and historical events. One of the most celebrated Bulgarian folk singers is Valya Balkanska, known for her mesmerizing rendition of "Izlel e Delyo Haydutin," which was included on the Voyager Golden Record launched into space by NASA.
Kukeri Festival
The Kukeri Festival is a vibrant and ancient Bulgarian tradition, celebrated to ward off evil spirits and ensure a prosperous year. Participants, called "Kukeri," wear elaborate masks and costumes adorned with bells and dance rhythmically to scare away malevolent forces. This captivating ritual is deeply ingrained in Bulgarian culture and attracts visitors from around the world.
Rose Festival
Bulgaria is one of the world's largest producers of rose oil, which is extracted from the famous Bulgarian roses in the Rose Valley. The Rose Festival, held annually in Kazanlak, celebrates this cherished industry and features colorful parades, music, and dance.
Bulgarian Puppetry and theater
Bulgaria boasts a rich tradition of puppetry and theater. Ivan Mihailov, a renowned puppeteer, has been instrumental in preserving and promoting this art form. The National Theatre in Sofia is a cultural landmark that showcases various theatrical performances and artistic productions.
Bulgarian Iconography
Bulgarian iconography holds a special place in the country's cultural heritage. Zahari Zograf has left an indelible mark on Bulgarian religious art, with his intricately detailed and spiritually significant icon paintings.
Bulgarian Literature
Bulgarian literature has a long and illustrious history. Ivan Vazov, often regarded as the father of Bulgarian literature, is celebrated for his epic poem "Epic of the Forgotten," which played a crucial role in promoting national identity during the Bulgarian National Revival. From the second half of the 19th century, Bulgarian national literature experienced a noticeable influence of Russian classical literature. The most characteristic representatives of this era are Petko Slaveykov (1827–1895), Lyuben Karavelov (1834–1879), and Hristo Botev (1847–1876). At the roots of the new Bulgarian realistic literature stood prominent figures such as poet, writer, and public figure Ivan Vazov (1850-1921), the author of the historical epic "Under the Yoke" (1894), as well as the writer, journalist, and translator Aleko Konstantinov (1863-1897), known for his sharply social humoristic stories and feuilletons. Kiril Hristov also made a significant impact on Bulgarian poetry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.[1]
Bulgarian Costume
National costumes are an integral part of Bulgarian cultural heritage, reflecting the nation's complex history and traditional way of life. The costumes feature influences from various neighboring cultures, and decorative elements reveal regional origins and occupations.
The traditional Bulgarian costumes are an essential element of most celebrations. They reflect the nation's complex history, featuring influences from Slavs, Greeks, Albanians, and Turks, as well as their traditional occupations. Originally, the costumes were work attire, known for their practicality. The decorations and decorative elements indicated a person's region of origin and occupation. The male costume was divided into two types: the white one (ancient attire consisting of a white shirt, trousers, and cape) and the black one (popular during the time of the liberation movement, with black trousers resembling Turkish trousers). Essential elements of the female costume include a shirt, a richly decorated apron, as well as a sarafan sukman and a robe (saya).[2]
Bulgarian Cuisine
Bulgarian cuisine features a blend of flavors drawing inspiration from Mediterranean, Balkan, and Turkish influences. Some beloved Bulgarian dishes include "banitsa" (filo pastry filled with cheese), "shopska salad" (a fresh salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and feta cheese), and "kebapche" (grilled minced meat). Prominent Bulgarian chefs like Ivan Zvezdev and Lili Kazarova have elevated Bulgarian cuisine to international recognition.
Explore more on Bulgarian ethnicity
- Ethnicity map of Bulgaria at MyHeritage
- Bulgarian vital records at MyHeritage
- Ethnicities around the world at MyHeritage