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Crossing The River With The ‘Busós’

I have photographed the Poklade (Busó festivities) in the recent years, but this time it was something new. This time I managed to blend in completely.

On Sunday during the busó festivities, a group of busós (men dressed in wool coats and wearing scary hand-carved, wooden, horned masks) cross the river Danube in rowing boats, reviving the mythical origin of the event. Before crossing the river, they have a big stake (fire) on the island, drink and hang out for a while, which is constant fun.

Thousands of people wait for them to arrive on the other side of the river. I was honored to be the first photographer ever to join them on their journey.

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Crossing The River With The 'Busós'

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Photographer focusing on documenting and presenting cultural heritage. Have extensively travelled in South East Asia, across Europe and also ventured off the beaten track in Africa, (Nigeria, Senegal and Uganda). Currently the main focus are the Buso traditions in Mohacs, and the lives of the traditional shepherds in Hungary.

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RandyVerbin 8 years ago

Well played!

1point

RandyVerbin 8 years ago

Interesting! Great pics. More info please describing event/custom. Everyone looks maaavelous!

1point

ZsoltRepasy (Post author) 8 years ago

The Poklade (busó festivities) is a tradition of the sokac ethnic group in Hungary, held in Mohács. It is a UNESCO cultural heritage since 2009. Men (adults and children as well) are dressed as “busó”, wearing scary, hand-carved, wooden, horned masks and wool coats scaring the winter away. They and their companions, the jankeles are visiting houses (sometimes uninvited), have fun, do mischieves, entertain and scare people and eventually light a huge bonfire on the last night on Tuesday. On Sunday a group of busós cross the river Danube in rowing boats, reviving the mythical origin of this tradition. Instead of documenting the tradition (as it’s been documented countless times already) my goal was to submerge and “go backstage”, be an insider and show this beautiful and rich tradition from the viewpoint of the busós. Here is a wikipedia article on the event / tradition by the way: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bus%C3%B3j%C3%A1r%C3%A1s

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