Zum Inhalt springen

costumes

Wilder Mann

They become bears, stags, and devils. They evoke death but bestow fertile life. They live in the modern era, but they summon old traditions – people all over Europe like to dress up. French photographer Charles Fréger has sought out the best of the best and published a book about almost forgotten rituals. Collected over two winters of travel through 19 countries. Take a visual tour of Europe’s wild man traditions.

Bulgaria – On New Year’s Day men cover themselves with goatskins to impersonate the Kukeri, who both embody and chase away evil spirits.

Bulgaria – On New Year’s Day men cover themselves with goatskins to impersonate the Kukeri, who both embody and chase away evil spirits.

Photograph by Charles Fréger
Switzerland – Sauvage at Carnival

Photograph by Charles Fréger
Italy – Schnappviecher (snapping beast) on Shrove Tuesday

Photograph by Charles Fréger
Poland – Macidulas on New Year’s Day

France - Spring festivals in the Pyrenees feature local men playing the role of bears awakening from hibernation.

France – Spring festivals in the Pyrenees feature local men playing the role of bears awakening from hibernation.

(via WeWasteTime)