The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

BUBURNIZA

IN BULGARIA, JUST PRIOR TO LENT, THE YOUNG BOYS OF THE
VILLAGE SPEND TIME CONSTRUCTING SPECIAL WOODEN TOYS.
THE TOY IS CARVED OUT OF A PARTICULAR KIND OF TREE
BRANCH INTO A TINY PYRAMID. A SLIT AND A SMALL HOLE ARE
CARVED INTO ITS SIDE. A SLIVER OF RESILIENT WOOD
CONNECTS THE TWO. A STICK IS INSERTED INTO THE HOLE
TO BE USED AS A HANDLE WHILE A SET OF SMALL WOODEN
WINGS ARE INSERTED IN THE SLIT. AT A PREARRANGED
TIME THE YOUNG MEN GATHER AT NIGHT AROUND A HUGE
BONFIRE. EACH BOY IN TURN HITS HIS BUBURNIZA
FROM THE UNDERSIDE WITH ANOTHER STICK; THIS RELEASES
THE WINGED PROJECTILE. EACH BOY THEN CALLS A PARTICULAR
NAME AS THE PROJECTILE EJECTS. THE HIGHER THE WINGS
GO IT IS SAID THE LONGER THAT PARTICULAR PERSON WILL
LIVE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BULGARIA

Date learned: 03-21-1970