A main charachteristic of this carnival is the humorous fight between the voivode Cibere and the King Konts. The King symbolizes the meat meals, whilst the voivode is the symbol of the vegetable ones. On the next day - the day of Epiphany the King Konts wins and the carnivals begin. On the day of Sirni“Zagovezni”, on the other hand, the voivode Cibere prevails in the battle and the time of fasting arrives.
“Log Carrying” – During the night, at the doorsteps of the old maids' houses, a large wooden stump is placed, so that they may not go out in the morning.
The final Thursday of the carnival period is a day, during which people ‘stuff’ themselves with food. They eat mainly meat and fat foods, in order to get a rich harvest and fat pigs.
The procession with masks is a traditional custom in Mohach – a town in the south of Hungary. The custom is associable with the Bulgarian “Kukerovden”.
The young men go out in the street, hidden behind scary masks. Тhe streets are full of dancers making а great amount of noise from mill-clackers and other instruments called “chanove” ( big bells). In this way they scare away evil spirits and banish away the cold.
The sanctified birch branches are used for healing purposes and for protection against thunder and lightning.
Kise is a doll made from straw, dressed up as a young bride. She is the personification of winter and diseases. The girls carry it as they sing through the entire village. At the far end of the village they burn it. It is believed, that those, who first pick up the doll, will get married first.
The wood-nymph tree is created from birch branches, decorated with colorful tapes and painted eggs. It indicates the upcoming of spring.
The girls carry the “magical tree” through the village, stopping at every house and singing for health and good luck.
This tradition is much like the Bulgarian “Lazaruvane”.
