Bulgarian Kazanlak Ritual

Kukeri maskers, Bulgaria, by Aron Klein

Redraw of an old idea I had, the gaang if they were Bulgarian/South Slavic.

Aang is inspired by shepherd's clothing mostly as well as some North- and Central- West Bulgarian clothing. Same for Sokka, but mostly CW (from the Shop region). Katara is a mix of Rhodope mountain and again CW styles. The butterflies are just so they don't stare in empty space lol

So, this one took me longer than I expected. In addition, I fell victim to the seasonal flu, which further impeded my progress on my personal projects.

In any case, I am fairly happy with how this Klyuch "character reference" turned out. Chainmail armor is pretty underrated in media nowadays, so I really wanted do represent her wearing a hauberk, while still spicing her design up with some fancy belts, buckles and decorations.

While not fully consistent in itself, this image will definitely help me represent her more consistently in future illustrations. Now, of course, I need to do one for her face, as well as reference sheets for a number of other characters…

My part of an art trade with @twoj-stary-var-emreiss :D

B/W соmmissiоn for KatPyrple(on twitter)! 

It was very fun to draw! Thank you! ^w^

Traditional festive clothing from village of Varbina, Madan area, Bulgaria

Bulgarian girl from Pirin, Macedonian region

Traditional Bulgarian hairstyle, headpiece and clothing from Samokov area

Me, making skyloftian fashion based on Bulgarian/Slavic traditional clothing just because

Bulgarian girl, Bulgaria, by Vladislav Chanev

Flag of the Pueblo Sultanate

This is the flag of the Pueblo Sultanate. It comes from a world where the Ottoman Empire established colonies in the New World. The Ottomans began in the Caribbean, and soon went on to conquer Mexico. Eventually, the Ottomans made their way to the American Southwest, and subjugated the Pueblo peoples. Life was harsh for the Pueblo people under Ottoman colonialism. Pueblo people were forced to toil away in silver mines to feed the Ottomans’ hunger for precious metals. Several madrasas were established with the intent to convert the Pueblo peoples to Islam. In theory, the madrasas would provide aid, education, and social services to the Pueblo people. In practice, however, the imams often subjected their charges to horrific abuse. Despite this, Islam did manage to spread among the Pueblo peoples. The Pueblo peoples begged for a savior. But where could he be? 

The Pueblo people received their answer in the form of a charismatic preacher named Po’Pay. Despite the similar name, he is a separate individual from the Po’Pay of our world. This Po’Pay preached the highly syncretic religion that combined indigenous Pueblo beliefs with Islamic liberation theology. This was in sharp contrast to the Islam of the Ottomans, which frowned upon syncretism, and suppressed indigenous beliefs. Po’Pay teachings began to spread, and soon Po’Pay a revolt against the Ottomans. Though the fight was hard, at last the Pueblo peoples were free from the Ottoman yoke. The Pueblo peoples began to think of themselves not as a collection of disparate tribes, but as a united people sharing in a common destiny. 

 Po’Pay organized the tribes into a sultanate, with himself as the first sultan. However, the sultan would not rule alone. An assembly of tribes was created. Representatives of each tribe could voice the opinions and concerns of the tribe to the assembly. Thus, the Pueblo Sultanate became the first representative monarchy in the New World. The Pueblo Sultanate stretches over much of what would be he American Southwest.   The Pueblo Sultanate is famous for begin very tolerant, open-minded, and accepting of peoples with different beliefs. Most citizens practice Pueblo Islam, but don’t try to push it on other people. Most women do not veil, and most Pueblo citizen wear traditional indigenous-style clothing. to Po’Pay developed a written script based upon Arabic, and the Pueblo Sultanate is home to several libraries and other centers of learning. In fact, the Great Pueblo Library is world renown for its expansive collection of books. Qurans are written in the Pueblo script, and the call to prayer to announced in the various Pueblo languages. The Pueblo Sultanate is also quite famous for its cooking. Pueblo cuisine combines cooking techniques from the Eastern Mediterranean with spices and ingredients of the American Southwest. The Pueblo Sultanate has a noticeable minority of Greeks, Serbians, Bulgarians, and Amazighs. They are mostly descended from slaves brought over during the days of Ottoman colonialism.  

Also, the Pueblo Sultanate isn’t actually called the Pueblo Sultanate in-universe, but I couldn’t think of a better name.  The flag includes the sun symbol of the Zia people, and the crescent moon of Islam. This is a reference to the Sultanate’s mixed indigenous and Islamic heritage. The blue band represents turquoise, an important stone to many Pueblo peoples. The green band represents prosperity, and green is a color associated with Islam. The yellow band is there because it goes well with everything else. 

Link to the original flag on my blog: https://drakoniandgriffalco.blogspot.com/2022/06/flag-of-pueblo-sultanate.html?m=1

The Zmey is another one of the mythical creatures you cannot miss if you read Bulgarian folk tales and is basically our take on a dragon. While usually depicted as giant flying lizards (who would have thought), zmey can sometimes shapeshift into humans.

Some tales depict zmey as honorable protectors who ward villagers from malicious beings. Others, however, imagine them as notorious kidnappers or even maneaters.

One popular fairy tale – “The Zmey and the Princess” - sees an elderly couple adopt a young zmey who later marries the local princess.

Bulgarian women in traditional Bulgarian clothing, 1937

Bulgarian traditional festive clothing from Sliven region, Bulgaria

Examples of embroidery on traditional clothes from Vardar (North) Macedonia. | Везани части от носии от Вардарска Македония.

I. 57, 58 — Headkerchiefs embroidered in silken and golden thread, region of Debar. | Мотиви от кърпа за глава, Дебърско.

II. 59 — Hem of a chemise from Prilep. | Пола на кошула, Прилепско. 60 — Sleeve of a chemise with silk embroidery, Ohrid. | Ръкав от кошула, везана с коприна, Охридско.

III. 61 — Chemise sleeve from Bitola. | Ръкав от кошула, Битолско.

From the Album of Bulgarian Macedonian Embroideries by Raina Roumenova.