"The
Obsession" and The Prophetic Gift
The
ability of establishing a contact with the saint patrons and the
ancestors in states of trance and dream visions, is the most important
characteristic of Nestinarstvo. The final expression of that ability
- the dance on embers - is a typical, but not a constant component
of the ritual. The prophecies usually deal with the fate of the
village, state, and people's future.
Nestinars have always been righteous people with a prophetic gift.
That is why they have always received the deep respect of the
whole community. In the past the local people sought their help
and advice. The nestinar's counsel usually included an instruction
for something to be given away by the sick person, or the one
in predicament.
The first step on the embers is usually preceded by an unfixed
period of prophecies, dream visions, and physical sufferings.
The pains are relieved with the dance on embers.
According to an old legend St.Constantine visited an ill woman
and told her: " If you dance in fire, you will be healthy
again." In the beginning she started with making prophecies,
and after a year she was able to dance in fire.
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Nestinar
Ivailo Ayanski walking onto embers,
Stomanovo Village |
The
state of "obsession" is accompanied by pain and suffering.
The "fit' is exhibited by darkening of the face, sharp lowering
of the body temperature, and cold perspiration. The nestinar usually
gives out shrill shrieks, which approximately sound like this: "ih-ih"/"vah-vah".
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The
moment of "release" comes with the stabilization of their
psychic and physical conditions, and the rising of the body temperature.
The "illness" gets over them during the days before St.St.Constantine
and Helena's "panagyr". When "obsessed" they
can dance without a fire, and make prophecies on behalf of some
of the saints (St.Elias, St.John, St.Eutimius, Holy Trinity, Virgin
Mary, St.Athanasius, St.Demetrius); but the most owerful visions
are "sent" by St.Constantine.
The days of the saint patrons, the enthusiasm states are also provoked
by the tune of the bagpipe and the drum, by the intensity and continuation
of the music.
Rapidity is another expression of the "nestinar trance ",
displayed by the dashing on the way, the acceleration of the musical
tempo, and the rhythm of the drum, required by the nestinars.
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The
closed eyes during the dance and the trance are indicative
of entering and being in another world, and communication
with the saint.
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Nestinar
Veselina Ilieva,
Bulgari Village |
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Dancing
on Embers 
