In January, I traveled to Bulgaria for photography. The main goal was to photograph the Surva festival. My Bulgarian friend, Dancho, suggested I extend my trip to photograph a traditional Pomak wedding in Ribnovo village. It all sounded interesting, and after seeing his photos, I decided to do so. I packed my gear, got into the car, picked up my friend Amadeja, and off we drove to Sofia!
Dancho joined us early in the morning, and we drove to Ribnovo village. He had everything arranged prior to our arrival. The family was expecting us, so we felt good about joining such an intimate event. When we arrived, Dancho introduced us to the groom’s family and to the bride and groom themselves. We promised to deliver the photos we were going to take. Kadriye and Mustafa (wedding couple) were pleased to learn that Amadeja is a professional wedding photographer in Slovenia.
Pomak People
The Pomak people are a Muslim group in the Balkans. They live mainly in Bulgaria, Greece, North Macedonia, and Turkey. They speak Slavic languages and became Muslims during the Ottoman rule starting in the late 14th century. The name “Pomak” might come from the Slavic verb “pomagam,” which means “to help.”
Pomaks have a rich culture with unique traditions, clothes, and dances. Traditional Pomak wedding is one of the most notable events that this community is known for. Their language blends Bulgarian with Turkish and Greek elements. Historically, Pomaks faced pressure to change their names and culture, especially under communist rule in Bulgaria. Today, they still face challenges related to their identity and rights in mostly Christian countries.
The Traditional Pomak Wedding
The Pomak community in the Rhodope Mountains is closely connected through strong family bonds. Even though many people work in big cities and abroad, they regularly visit their families and friends. One event that brings most people together is a wedding. A Pomak wedding is a significant event that lasts several days. We visited the village and photographed the wedding during the two main days of the big celebration. On one day, the groom’s family invites their family members and friends. The next day, the bride’s family does the same. Each guest brings practical gifts such as home appliances and furniture. Most people also donate money, which they clip to the bride’s or groom’s dress, as seen in the photos below.
The party takes place throughout the village. The wedding couple greets the guests at the community hall in the center of the village, where food is also served. The main party and dancing occur in the village’s main square, where several hundred people join and dance until midnight. Interestingly, there is not a single drop of alcohol, as this is a Muslim culture, but everyone seems to enjoy the party nonetheless!
The highlight of the wedding is at the end when the bride, dressed and masked as Gelina, is in her childhood home. She is then escorted by her father and her husband into her new home. There, the husband carefully removes the mask and welcomes his new bride into their new home. This strong symbolic ritual was a blessing for us to experience!
Pomak Wedding in Photos
The images above were taken during two days of the wedding we attended. Everyone was extremely friendly and welcoming, and thanks to Dancho’s connections, we felt like part of the family! We were invited into their homes, and Amadeja even had the opportunity to witness the making of the Gelina mask!
Ribnovo Village
During our three days in Ribnovo, we really got to know the village and its people. This old mountain village has traditionally relied on farming and sheep herding. Nowadays, many locals work in cities or even abroad. They send back money that helps the community. Despite this, the village keeps its traditional vibe. Many people still farm and raise sheep.
At the wedding, Amadeja met Pembe, a friendly and outspoken lady. Pembe took her into her home and dressed her in traditional Pomak attire. Dancho and I could barely recognize her at first! Her dress was a big help as we explored the village. Locals saw it and invited us into their homes.
Engagement Ceremony in Ribnovo
While we were in the village for the wedding, another event took place. Pembe, the Pomak lady who had befriended us, mentioned that her niece was getting engaged that day. She invited us to join the ceremony.
When we arrived, we saw many village women, each carrying a large plate with banitsa pie, covered with festively decorated cloths. There were more than 80 banitsas, and we got to try many! Once everyone gathered, the procession toward the groom’s home began. It was a wonderful sight, all the women carrying their banitsas through the village.
When we reached the house, there was the traditional negotiation before everyone was let in. We were invited inside too. It was beautiful to experience such an intimate, personal event. We were shown around the house and offered food and drinks. At the end, we organized a short photoshoot with the future bride and groom and their friends.
Pomak Wedding in Ribnovo – Conclusion
Three days in Ribnovo flew by, and I’m grateful to everyone in the village for their warm hospitality and genuine friendliness. I also must thank Dancho. Without his connections, guidance, and interpretations, this trip wouldn’t have been possible!
If you would like to see short videos from the wedding, check out my Instagram stories. Photos tell the story, but the atmosphere truly comes alive in videos with sound.
We were ready for new adventures. The Surva festival was scheduled for the next weekend, and we had a few days to explore Bulgaria. We decided to stay in the Rhodope Mountains as it had just started to snow. Stay tuned for stories from this part of our trip!
