Bulgaria's winter brides: A Pomak wedding tradition | DW Documentary

In Bulgaria, Pomak Muslims marry in a rare winter ritual that predates Islam. The vibrant ceremony blends faith, color and symbolism and is unique in the world. In the Bulgarian mountain village of Ribnovo, home to about 3,000 people, every wedding is a cultural event. Women from the groom's family paint and decorate the bride's face. With her eyes closed, she is led into her husband's home, where the makeup is removed again. Only then may she open her eyes, marking the start of her new life.

Courtesy of DW Documentary on YouTube. Watch on YouTube ↗

More Society & Politics Documentaries

Square One2019•1h 22m•HD•★9.3Panopticon2013•57m•HD•★8.9Zeitgeist: Addendum2008•2h 3m•HD•★8.6The New Rulers of the World2009•53m•HD•★8.6Nine Meals Away from Anarchy (Full Episode) | Doomsday Preppers2022•45m•4K•★7.7Shipbreakers2017•1h 12m•HD•★8.0William and Kate: Then and Now2019•49m•HD•★8.0The Fatal Consequences of Racial Profiling2023•47m•HD•★8.0The Kinabatangan River2022•50m•HD•★8.0The Highs & Lows of "the Hugo Chávez Show"2026•1h 22m•HD•★8.0The Druids - History, Philosophy, Religion2021•2h 9m•HD•★7.9Saudi Arabia, between repression and transformation | DW Documentary2026•42m•HD•★7.7