Kuker's dance

''Kukers'' dancers durring the festival of the masquerade games “ Surva” in town of Pernik, Bulgaria. Wearing impressive self-made wooden masks of animals and costumes covered with woollen tassels, ribbons and large bells, the “Kukers” perform a ritual dance to scare away sickness and evil spirits. Traditionally, at the last days of the year the ''kukers'' visit the peoples' houses at night so that "the sun would not catch them on the road." After going around the village they gather at the square and perform a jumping dance filling the air with sound of jingling bells and whispered blessings wishes for prosperity.