Walking on Embers

The skill to walk on embers (without being burnt) is the most impressing and important one. Some medical specialists have observed that the skin of the nestinars' feet is very delicate, without callosities. Despite the different duration of the dances on embers (not less than 10 min.), the nestinars' feet remain intact, without a slight trace of cauterization. It has been proved that a callosity is not a protection because very often some nestinars "bury" their feet ankle-deep in the embers. There exist some psychological theories of the observed phenomenon, but they do not provide satisfactory explanations. The famous Bulgarian specialist Doctor Garvalov has stated that callosities are cornea layers that can burn much faster than normal skin.

Another curious fact is that, during the dance some dropped by the nestinars objects (kerchiefs, the touch of clothes, etc.) do not burn. Some people have witnessed cases in which the nestinars sit on the embers, and even lie on them.

Many scientists are absolutely positive that at temperatures above 70°C human proteins denaturalize. The temperature of the embers is minimum 400°C. Specialists also consider that the nestinars' peculiar psychic state can explain the insensitivity to pain, but not the lack of burn damages. It is accepted without any surprise or bewilderment by nestinars and their fellow villagers. Miracles are to them something phenomenal but at the same time natural, from the point of view of folklore mentality; and an inevitable manifestation of charisma. Nestinars treat their skill as a gift, and are deeply convinced that their power comes from their unhesitant faith and trust in the saint patrons.

And as a Greek nestinar once said: "Believe and do not ask questions!"