Greg Wharton

Tattooed cat-loving tree-hugging vegetarian queer feral witch. He/him. Co-creator of Mother Maggie's, Body Conjure, and Suspect Thoughts Press.

[Science girl @sciencegirl]

Halloween paragliding

[Grace @graceyldn]

Told my mum to watch out for the Reverend Mother calling Maria a Cunt Face and she hasn’t stopped laughing since

[𝕐o̴g̴ @Yoda4ever]

Super Mario Cat..🐈🐾🧱😅 https://t.co/qZDWDOKtCB

[Black Hole @konstructivizm]

Clearest image ever taken of Venus.

[Jason Overstreet @JasonOverstreet]

Forgive me. I was born with this thing called not being able to carry on as usual with my day after seeing most of a child’s head blown off.

[Mon @mon_lovesyou]

@PettyLupone The Palestinians are so excited that this time it will be a woman bombing them and killing their children! You guys I’m so emotional 🥲 #yesshecan #girlpower #mywarcriminalisawoman

[Archaeo - Histories @archeohistories]

Kukeri is a unique and fascinating tradition that originated in Bulgaria and is still celebrated today. It is an ancient ritual performed during the winter months, particularly around New Year’s and during the carnival season. The tradition involves participants, known as Kukeri, donning elaborately crafted masks and costumes made from fur, feathers, and other materials.

The word Kuker represents a person, usually a tall male, with a disguise that we will explain later. They have specific dances and a lot of them bring nightmares to bed that same night. The Kukeri masks are often large and intimidating, representing various mythical creatures and animals such as goats, bears, or demons. The purpose of wearing these masks is to chase away evil spirits, bring good luck, and ensure a bountiful harvest for the upcoming year.

The costumes are made on a wooden surface and decorated with coloured threads, fabrics, pieces of broken mirrors, sequins and other coloured ornaments. Another characteristic feature of the costume is the bells hanging around the waist. Normally their number is around 50 and weighs up to 80kg.

According to Gerald Creed, who wrote a book on kukeri, costumes are designed to scare away evil with their loud clanging and monstrous appearance. Traditionally, these costumes are either inherited or carefully sewn and embellished by the owner. Until recently, all kukeri were men, and, in many places, taking part in the kukeri dance was seen as a rite of passage. Often, costumes are passed down from one generation to the next and new costumes are made by the owner, possibly with help from local craftspeople. While needlework in Bulgaria was considered women’s work, the kukeri were an exception: Men would work on their costumes throughout the year.

Kukeri costumes are incredible pieces of folk art and are a unique glimpse back in time because the tradition of the kukeri is quite old, so old, in fact, that we don’t know when it started. Some estimates even suggest that the kukeri originated more than 4,000 years ago. While they’re pagan in origin, the kukeri now appear around important Christian holidays. In some areas of Bulgaria, you can find the kukeri between Christmas and the Epiphany (January 6), and in other areas, the kukeri come the Sunday before Lent.

Today, the kukeri tradition is alive and strong in Bulgaria, although large parades are replacing the individual home visits of the past. If you’re so inclined, the annual Surva Festival of Masquerade Games is held in January and features kukeri from all around Bulgaria, so you can book your tickets to Bulgaria now and glimpse these amazing outfits in person. Just know that since the kukeri are associated with fertility, some of their dances and productions are—to put it mildly—on the bawdy side.

In Bulgaria many “Kukeri” festivals are organized and held but, on an international level, “Surva” in the city of Pernik and “Starchevata” in Razlog are only ones recognized by UNESCO. Beyond the festive parades and processions, Kukeri gatherings often include communal feasts, music, and dancing. The celebrations foster a sense of community spirit and unity, as people come together to honour their heritage and protect their traditions.

#archaeohistories

[Greg Wharton @gregwharton1]

LA punk legends X: ‘The violence didn’t bother me as much as the spitting!’ https://t.co/bkK8PbLOr6

[Lakyn Thee Stylist @OgLakyn]

I understand why people are posting pictures primarily from the height of Shelley Duvall's heyday, but, she was a complex, vibrant and accomplished woman right up to now and that's worth sharing, too!

[The Haunted Objects Podcast @ObjectsPod]

Guess what?

NEW EPISODE OUT NOW! Go find it wherever you watch or listen. More fun announcements coming later.

[chris evans @notcapnamerica]

What is with people standing SO DAMN CLOSE to you. Can we bring back social distancing? Give me my six feet, Karen.

[Leila Charles Leigh 🌹 - Purity Tester @leilacleigh]

Why are we talking about Biden’s dementia instead of his genocide?!?!

[Elie Mystal @ElieNYC]

We starve
Look at one another
Short of breath
Walking proudly in our winter coats
Wearing smells from laboratories
Facing a dying nation
Of moving paper fantasy
Listening for the new told lies
With supreme visions of lonely tunes

[Greg Wharton @gregwharton1]

Oh my heart...

[Stereogum @stereogum]

Los Angeles punk legends X (@Xtheband) announce final album and farewell tour; hear their new song "Big Black X"
https://t.co/2KewkgeqqP

[horse @horseimage]

suspicious horse standing and staring outside glass door person lying on the floor possible crime scene

[Jason Overstreet @JasonOverstreet]

Some of you really just need to wake the fuck up and use your own eyeballs and own common sense. Genocide is happening. 15,000 children have been killed in seven months. Biden and Congress are facilitating it. They’re denying the genocide. They’re trashing the ICC. This is bad.

[chris evans @notcapnamerica]

Me putting on a drunken private show for my cat at 3 AM: