Остатъци от прабългарски фолклор в Североизточна България
Remains of Proto-Bulgarian Folklore in North-East Bulgaria

Summary/Abstract: When existing records of sagas and legends of the Aliani (1. Aliani – a religious sect, the initial main group of which came, in the author’s opinion to North-East Bulgaria from the North. – The author’s note) have been studied, certain motifs have been found which might have sprung up in connection with the life of proto-Bulgarian rulers from the first years of the Bulgarian state. The old saga telling how the district of Ludogorie was provided with salt points directly to a Bulgarian ruler. To a Bulgarian ruler points also another saga of the knife, 50 cm. long, which had been left on the grave of Demir baba – the legendary hero of the Ludogorie district whose name is, in the author’s opinion, a nickname – the Iron Father. The iron objects left in the tomb of the hero are an echo from a cult which has been also evidenced in proto-Bulgarian funerals in the Bulgarian state along the Volga River. The fact that the Aliani monastery (teke) and the tomb of the legendary hero are situated near the springs known by the name of „Five Fingers” (Besh parmak), and the fact then, that the annual celebration on the day of the Saint of Thunder and Lightning (Ilinden) took place there point to an ancient link with proto-Bulgarian beliefs. Studying the folk book „On the Birthplace and the Miracles of Demir baba” which is still kept in some families in North-East Bulgaria, the author finds indications that the man buried in the tomb in the Ludogorie must have been a political personality involved in historical events which covered a vast territory. One particular moment in this book reminds also of a saga related to Khan Isperih. The presence of proto-Bulgarian motifs in the Aliani folklore poses necessarily the question of recording and studying the folklore of the Turkish-speaking (Turkic but not Turkish) population in North-East Bulgaria and mainly that of the Aliani and the Gagaouzi (2. Gagaouzi – Turkish-speaking Christian population of the Varna district (NE Bulgaria). – The translator’s note).

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