Kukeri (; singular:
kuker, кукер) are elaborately costumed
Bulgarian men who perform traditional rituals intended to scare away evil spirits. Closely related traditions are found throughout the
Balkans and
Greece (including
Romania and the
Pontus). The costumes cover most of the body and include decorated wooden masks of animals (sometimes double-faced) and large
bells attached to the belt. Around
New Year and before
Lent, the kukeri walk and dance through villages to scare away evil spirits with their costumes and the sound of their bells. They are also believed to provide a good harvest, health, and happiness to the village during the year.