Photographer captures still-practiced Pagan rituals of Europe

Wilder Mann 6, 2010 The Krampus, a legend in Alpine countries, is said to punish misbehaving children during the winter Yule season. In contrast, Saint Nicholas, rewards well-behaved children with gifts. (Charles Fréger)

Caretos, Lazarim, Portugal, 2010-2011 “I found myself in front of something very radical, no face,” said Fréger.“It was more of a character with a mask and a focus where the body is more important than the face itself.” (Charles Fréger)

Wilder Mann 92, 2010 Initially Fréger planned on covering 12 countries, but the more he worked on the project, the more he found himself traveling. (Charles Fréger)

Laufr (Jumper), Třebič, Czech Republic, 2010–2011 Fréger said many of the traditions had a lot in common, regardless of the country they came from. (Charles Fréger)

Wilder Mann 25, Wilder Mann , 2010 In full-length portraits, the artist's photographs show celebrants enveloped in traditional costumes, crafted from layers of animal skins, local plants, bones and antlers. (Charles Fréger)

Babugeri, Bansko, Bulgaria, 2010–2011 Fréger first saw a costumed “Wild Man” while watching a friend’s show in Lyon, France. (Charles Fréger)

Cerbul (Stag), Corlata, Romania, 2010-2011 Fréger said many of the traditions are full of joy. (Charles Fréger)

Ursul (Bear), Palanca, Romania, 2010–2011 The Pagan concept of a “Wild Man” is based on changing seasons and rites of passage. (Charles Fréger)

Boes, Ottana, Sardinia, Italy, 2010 “There was a slight touch of universality because a lot of the groups were doing something similar without knowing one another," said Fréger. (Charles Fréger)

Macinula, Cisiec, Poland, 2010 "Many of the festivities were focused on animals and vegetation, you could photograph someone dressed like a bear for example in Portugal or Spain or Romania. To me this was really exciting and interesting,” said Fréger. (Charles Fréger)