Ain’t afraid of no ghosts! Inside Bulgaria’s spirit-banishing spring festival

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Jan 15, 2014

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A Bulgarian child wears a scary mask as he participates in the Kukeri Carnival in Batanovtsi, Bulgaria late Monday night. The Kukeri Carnival, which marks the beginning of spring, is a ritual intended to ward off evil spirits and bring hope for a good harvest. AP

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A Bulgarian carries a scary mask as he performs a Kukeri ritual in the village of Bogdanov Dol, some 35 km ( 22 miles) south of the capital Sofia, on… AP

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Disguised revelers named “Kukeri” hold torches as they take part in the Kukeri Carnival in the village of Batanovci, on January 13, 2014. The Kukeri Carnival is a festival which… AFP/Getty Images

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TOPSHOTS Bulgarian dancers named “Kukeri” hold torches as they perform a ritual dance during the Kukeri Carnival in the village of Batanovci, western Bulgaria, on January 13, 2013. The Kukeri… AP

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Disguised revelers hold torches as they take part in the Kukeri Carnival in the village of Batanovci, on January 13, 2014. The Kukeri Carnival is a festival which marks the… AFP/Getty Images

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A Bulgarian wears a scary mask as he performs a Kukeri ritual near a bonfire in the town of Batanovtsi, some 35 km ( 22 miles) south of the capital… AP

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Bulgarian wears a scary mask as he performs a Kukeri ritual near a bonfire in the town of Batanovtsi, some 35 km ( 22 miles) south of the capital Sofia,… AP

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A Bulgarian carries a torch as she performs a Kukeri ritual near a bonfire in the town of Batanovtsi, some 35 km ( 22 miles) south fofthe capital Sofia, late… AP

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Disguised revelers named “Kukeri”set ablaze a bonfire as they take part in the Kukeri Carnival in the village of Batanovci, on January 13, 2014. The Kukeri Carnival is a festival… AFP/Getty Images

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Disguised revelers stand around a bonfire as they take part in the Kukeri Carnival in the village of Batanovci, on January 13, 2014. The Kukeri Carnival is a festival which… AFP/Getty Images

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Bulgarians carry bells on their waists as they dance around a bonfire during their “Kukeri” ritual in the town of Batanovtsi, some 35 km ( 22 miles) south from the… AP

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Bulgarian carries bells on his waist as he performs a Kukeri ritual in the town of Batanovtsi, some 35 km ( 22 miles) south from the capital Sofia, on late… AP

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A Bulgarian carries bells on his waist as he performs a Kukeri ritual near a bonfire in the town of Batanovtsi, some 35 km ( 22 miles) south of the… AP

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Bulgarians dance around a bonfire as they perform a Kukeri ritual in the village of Bogdanov Dol, some 35 km ( 22 miles) south from the capital Sofia, late Monday,… AP

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A disguised reveler stands by a bonfire as he takes part in the Kukeri Carnival in the village of Batanovci, on January 13, 2014. The Kukeri Carnival is a festival… AFP/Getty Images

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A Bulgarian performs a Kukeri ritual near a bonfire in the town of Batanovtsi, some 35 km ( 22 miles) south fofthe capital Sofia, late Monday, Jan. 13, 2014. Kukeri… AP

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Disguised revelers named “Kukeri” dance around a bonfire as they take part in the Kukeri Carnival in the village of Batanovci, on January 13, 2014. The Kukeri Carnival is a… AFP/Getty Images

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