Zvončari

Zvončari ("bellmen") is the characteristic folk custom maintained in the region around Rijeka, Croatia.

The primary task of Zvončari is to scare away evil spirits of winter and to stir up a new spring-time cycle.

The standard Zvončar costume includes white trousers, striped shirt, and a sheepskin throw.

In their hands they hold a "balta" or "bačuka" — a stylized mace, and around the waist one or more big brass bells.

The costume varies from village to village; for example, Zvončari of Halubje and Grobnik (Dondolaši) wear special stylized masks representing fantastic animal heads, while Zvončari of Žejane (populated by Istro-Romanians) and Brgud [hr] wear "flower hats".