The Bistritsa Babi Archaic Polyphony, Dances and Rituals from the Shoplouk Region

UNESCO: Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity 2008 URL: Description: The traditional dances and polyphonic singing found in the Shoplouk region of Bulgaria are still performed by a group of elderly women, the Bistritsa Babi. This tradition includes diaphony, or what is known as shoppe polyphony, ancient forms of the horo chain dance and the ritual practice of lazarouvane, an initiation ceremony for young women. Diaphony