Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
User submission
106.2K
Creative Costumes of Still-Practiced Pagan Rituals of Europe (19 pics)
Now these are not your average Halloween costumes. For two years, French photographer Charles Fréger has been traveling throughout 19 European countries and trying to capture the spirit of what he calls “tribal Europe” in his “Wilder Mann” series. What he found was a huge array of pagan rituals, mainly related to the winter solstice and spring renewal, focusing on the common myth of the “wild man.”
It appears that the tradition of men dressing up as wild animals and monsters, which dates back to neolithic times and shamanism, is still very alive nowadays. The mythological figure of a “wild man” represents the complicated relationship humans have with nature and life and death cycles. His series explores the different interpretations of such figures – while some cultures depict him as covered in flowers or straws, others possess the features of bears, goats, or horned and hairy beasts.
Website: charlesfreger.com
RELATED:
What do you think ?
WillaGrant 11 years ago
I would have loved to have known the country & what they were portraying. These are amazing!
Sarah Egolf-Tarr 2 years ago
Absent any context, this feels like cultural appropriation. Give credit to the culture!
TanyaKehayova 9 years ago
https://www.google.bg/search?q=%D0%BA%D1%83%D0%BA%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B8&tbm=isch&imgil=ppvSMICv2RUsEM%253A%253BPZBeFEFrCq0pQM%253Bhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fbg.wikipedia.org%25252Fwiki%25252F%25252525D0%252525259A%25252525D1%2525252583%25252525D0%25252525BA%25252525D0%25252525B5%25252525D1%2525252580%25252525D0%25252525B8&source=iu&pf=m&fir=ppvSMICv2RUsEM%253A%252CPZBeFEFrCq0pQM%252C_&usg=__qFB14DJg45U2j2YWQY-XHPCbHYQ%3D&biw=1280&bih=567&ved=0ahUKEwiio4G9gr7KAhXGOxQKHf9EDbYQyjcILw&ei=7XCiVuL4D8b3UP-JtbAL#imgdii=ppvSMICv2RUsEM%3A%3BppvSMICv2RUsEM%3A%3B90oMgRqbrRFNQM%3A&imgrc=ppvSMICv2RUsEM%3A
donnyBronson 10 years ago
To be clear. None of these are traditional costumes. They were all created by the artist Charles Fréger. Fréger's project was inspired by traditional costumes. These beautiful costumes are the result of that inspiration, they are not actual costumes used in rituals found anywhere.
TeodoraTodorova 10 years ago
Charles Freger took those photographs in different countries in Europe .. The costumes are original, used in rituals that are practiced in Europe .. There is an Oxen from Sardinia, Brezaia from Romania, Banugeri( mumers ) from the city of Razlog in Bulgaria and others .. I believe in the book with the photograps there are the names of each character in the costum and which country is from ...
Load More Replies...
12 years ago
Lots of mysticism, native customs and beliefs remain hidden in Eastern Europe. I suppose it will be a great deal of interest for many people to come, visit and reveal the secret of the Balkans. You are very welcome :)
WillaGrant 11 years ago
I would have loved to have known the country & what they were portraying. These are amazing!
Sarah Egolf-Tarr 2 years ago
Absent any context, this feels like cultural appropriation. Give credit to the culture!
TanyaKehayova 9 years ago
https://www.google.bg/search?q=%D0%BA%D1%83%D0%BA%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B8&tbm=isch&imgil=ppvSMICv2RUsEM%253A%253BPZBeFEFrCq0pQM%253Bhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fbg.wikipedia.org%25252Fwiki%25252F%25252525D0%252525259A%25252525D1%2525252583%25252525D0%25252525BA%25252525D0%25252525B5%25252525D1%2525252580%25252525D0%25252525B8&source=iu&pf=m&fir=ppvSMICv2RUsEM%253A%252CPZBeFEFrCq0pQM%252C_&usg=__qFB14DJg45U2j2YWQY-XHPCbHYQ%3D&biw=1280&bih=567&ved=0ahUKEwiio4G9gr7KAhXGOxQKHf9EDbYQyjcILw&ei=7XCiVuL4D8b3UP-JtbAL#imgdii=ppvSMICv2RUsEM%3A%3BppvSMICv2RUsEM%3A%3B90oMgRqbrRFNQM%3A&imgrc=ppvSMICv2RUsEM%3A
donnyBronson 10 years ago
To be clear. None of these are traditional costumes. They were all created by the artist Charles Fréger. Fréger's project was inspired by traditional costumes. These beautiful costumes are the result of that inspiration, they are not actual costumes used in rituals found anywhere.
TeodoraTodorova 10 years ago
Charles Freger took those photographs in different countries in Europe .. The costumes are original, used in rituals that are practiced in Europe .. There is an Oxen from Sardinia, Brezaia from Romania, Banugeri( mumers ) from the city of Razlog in Bulgaria and others .. I believe in the book with the photograps there are the names of each character in the costum and which country is from ...
Load More Replies... 12 years ago
Lots of mysticism, native customs and beliefs remain hidden in Eastern Europe. I suppose it will be a great deal of interest for many people to come, visit and reveal the secret of the Balkans. You are very welcome :)
Related on Bored Panda
6
8