Кръвната жертва на Коледа (по материали от Разградски окръг)
The Blood Sacrifice at Christmas (From materials collected in Razgrad district)

Summary/Abstract: ulgarian population) in the Razgrad district, North-Eastern Bulgaria, is considered in this short article. The author studies the traditional customs and beliefs connected with slaughtering the pig at Christmas, which in the past (at the turn of the 19th and 20th century) was obligatory, and had the character of a family blood sacrifice. It had nothing in common with Christianity, and is even in contradiction to it. The author presumes that the Christmas sacrifice has a genetic connection with the cult of the forefathers, and is intended for the forefather-protector of the household. The circumstance that such a sacrifice is included in the group of Christinas customs is one more proof of the initial ritual character of Christmas.

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