Every bit as big as the church portion of the
wedding day, the ceremony at the local town hall is attended by
everyone in the wedding party. Here, the representative
of the mayor's office attends with the state sash, while the
godparents (sponsors, like a best man and bridesmaid, but they are
always married) flank the bride and groom.
Romania is a country with rich customs, traditions and holidays.
Some of the holidays are celebrated throughout the whole country; others
are designated for specific regions of the country.
Situated in the south-eastern part of central Europe, Romania can
trace its origins to the Thracian Dacian period. The Romanian traditions
have retained myths and rites from that age, thus drawing Romania close
to the cradle of the European culture. In particular, the Romanian
culture resembles that of eastern Mediterranean regions.
What a rich cultural calendar has Romania! Steeped in traditions of
the Orthodox Church and full of seasonal festivals and traditions,
holidays and celebrations in Romania are delightful reminders of life's
stages!
The Romanian holidays have preserved the foundations of family
structure and organizations, as well as the patterns defining social
groups. The holidays reflect rules of behaviour that originated in the
Roman and Byzantine civilization.
The Romanian folklore developed within the borders of the two great
regions of European civilization--the west and the southeast. Over the
centuries, the Romanian people crystallized their own popular culture.
This culture expresses the need for communication between man and
nature, between man and man, and among different human groups.
The Romanian customs have also been an instrument in the exchange of
goods, services and information. Matrimonial ceremonies exemplify the
customs in a specific way.
The Romanian practice of faith and spirituality have been in
synchrony and in harmony with aspects of popular trades and facets of
Romanian geography.
The Romanian holidays, while diversified by regional traditions,
have common threads running through them. The same unity can be found in
the traditions and customs throughout the country. They include the
Christian holidays.
Since Romania is over 80% Romanian Ortodox, this form of
Christianity permeates the spirit of the holidays, with other themes
such as the seasons or common trades being blended within religious
themes.
Village Life
In a small Transilvanian town in the Olt River Valley
The focus of most Romanian spirituality is found in each village.
The trades of the villages were mainly agricultural. Romanians
traditionally were farmers who worked the land, kept vineyards, raised
cattle or lived as shepherds.
Spring and summer were known as the time to work the land. Autumn
represented the harvest and winter was dedicated to the formation of
artistic creativity or spiritual growth.
Delicate, graceful and sober--the popular art of Romania was
preserved by the village. Village leaders assumed the tasks of guarding
the originality, individuality and permanency of artisans' work.
The nature of the village was driven to be in strict harmony with
the natural environment of the entire country. Today, travelling
throughout Romania, one can be pleasantly surprised when observing the
extent to which one village differs from another village in terms of
their general outlook. These differences underscore not only the
cultural influences of a location, but also the specific details of the
land surrounding a village.
Villages exist with a life of their own. The life of the village
expressed an intense thirst for life by the inhabitants of Romania.
Peasants possessed a deep knowledge of the way to tend the earth. They
had the ability to enjoy life and to dream into the future. They were
regular observers of the feasts for the earth, their cattle, the flowers
and crops, and the overall beauty of living.
The Romanian customs can be divided into family customs,
calendar-based customs and religious customs. They represent a
"triptych" marked by the three major life changes: birth, marriage and
death.
A birth signifies its own customs, related to the mother and to the
baby. During a pregnancy, a prospective mother must observe some
interdictions that will protect the baby from supposed evil spirits.
The Baptism
Godparents present the child to the Priest, who does his bit and
takes it behind the alter to enter the family of God
The birth itself represents the transition from the unknown to the
known world--or from the "blackness" to the "whiteness."
The ceremony of the "first bath" is one of the most important
Romanian traditions. Only the women can assist in the bathing of the
newborn child, and the oldest woman related to the father of the baby is
in charge of the event. Fresh, clean water enriched with flowers, money,
honey and milk are thought to purify and join the newborn to the family.
The elder woman gives the cleansed baby to the mother with wishes
for the child's moral, spiritual and physical integrity. She wishes for
the child to marry, to be good-looking and healthy, to be respectful of
his or her parents and to be a patient person. She wishes that the child
thrives, grows to maturity, becomes hardworking and experiences good
luck in life.
The second important moment related to birth is the Christening of
the child, a ceremony in which the child is named. In the Eastern
Orthodox church, the spiritual, or "God-parents" of the child have an
important ceremonial function. Usually, the child will be named after
the God-father, or after a close family member. Later, the God-parents
will play an important role in the wedding ceremony of the child.
The practice of weddings includes the moments when young people
separate from their social groups. Additionally, there is the separation
of the bride from her parents which is followed by her joining the
bridegroom's family.
Lastly, there is the union of the two young people and the
integration of the bride into her new family. (Prior to the marriage is
the betrothal which is followed by a long process of acceptance towards
the prospective couple by the existing group of those who are already
married.)
The wedding is a performance with well-established rituals. Poetry,
song, dance and ceremonial costumes all have a detailed role in the
wedding ceremony.
The Spokesman Arrives
This ceremony begins when the spokesman of the bridegroom comes to
the bride's home to woo her. During this time, the best men go
throughout the village inviting the relative and friends to the wedding.
Then, before the closed gates guarded by the bride's relatives, the
bridegroom's best man tells a story. It is the story of a young emperor
who gathered a great army and went hunting. While hunting, he saw a
fairy and sent his warriors to look for her. Following the fairy's
trail, they arrive at the bride's house. They have been told that there
is a certain flower in the garden. This flower cannot bear fruit because
of the unsuitable soil in which it grows. The warriors came to pick the
flower and plant it in the young emperor's garden. There, the soil was
known to be good and provide the nutrients enabling the flower to bear
fruit.
The Bride
The dress and hairdressing of the bride is also important. She wears
a ceremonial costume and flowers in her hair.
In the western part of Transilvania, in Bihor, the bridegroom must
pass a test of cleverness. He must solve a series of riddles in order to
prove that he is able to be part of the married community.
The entrance of the bride into the community of married women is
marked by a change of her hair style, and the covering of her head with
a scarf. The scarf is a symbol of the married women. This ceremony is
also accompanied by a song.
The Dance of Masks
Just as for a medieval meal, the wedding meal provides an
opportunity for singing, dancing and listening to epic hero songs. Dance
forms, especially for the young people, are an essential part of the
wedding, as well as the birth ceremonies. One dance, called a "hora"
marks the decisive moments of the ceremonial. It is a seal of the
marriage contract.
The above wedding ceremonials in Romania last for three days. The
final day ends with a "dance of masks."
Her Big Day
White indeed the wedding colour for this bride about to enter
the local town hall for the civil portion of her ceremony in
Constanţa
Two main groups of people appear in the
expression of Romanian customs: those who are living and the
ancestors who preceded them. Romanian culture carefully preserves the
memory of ancestral peoples.
3 for the living, and 2 for the dead
Portals for candles at most churches, here in the heart of
Bucharest
Photo: Rest Romania
Polite Anticipation
This as yet unused cross lays in the yard of a
country gentlewoman. She considered it polite to buy her own
headstone rather than burdern the relatives.
Photo: Rest Romania
Going Beyond
The Tree of Life and Death
In addition to the focus on ceremonies, the faith of Romanians
encompasses a belief that for each man, there exists a star and a tree.
The falling of the star marks the death of a person. The fir, the tree
of life, is placed at the head on the grave of a deceased person. The
fir is brought from the forest by a group of young men. They are met at
the entrance of the village by a group of women. The women sing a song
about the link of the man with the tree of life. The song talks about
the grief of the fir as it becomes obliged to dry and to rot near its
brother, the deceased person.
The Great Song
Another funeral custom is the dawn song, or the Great Song. It is
sung by a group of appointed old women at the dawn of the two days
between a death and a funeral.
This song advises the dead person and describes the journey that he
or she will make into the land of the dead ancestors. It is a song of a
poetic metaphor of the myth of the great transition.
Also expressed is a wish for the sun to rise later in the day, so
that the family of the deceased have more time to prepare for the
ceremonies. The preparation of the funeral consists of greeting the
relatives, making the funeral objects, such as the coffin, the vial that
will cover the body, the funeral candle and the carriage with bulls, as
well as the preparation of the food to be served to relatives and
friends during the meal after the funeral.
In the Wake of Death
During all of the funeral proceedings, there is a wake organized for
the deceased. A body is never left alone, and those present at the wake
tell stories about the deceased. A group o old women mourn the body as
well.
As previously described, these are the family customs of the
Romanian people. The calendar-based holidays are divided by the four
seasons. Winter is designated as the season of rest, gatherings and
spiritual expressions. Spring represents the rejuvenation of nature and
the beginning of the farming season. It is the season of birth and
blooming. Summer is dominated by the busy farming season. Fall is the
season of wealth, the harvest and beginning preparations for the long
winter ahead.
A Village Funeral Procession
The whole village shows up for this sad day near Bicaz in
Moldova
The Christmas celebration starts with a six-week fast prior to the
holiday. The orthodox fasting pattern excludes from the diet any animal
product such as meat, eggs, fish, milk or cheese.
Traditional Carolling
The formalised tradition of the
colinde allows people to sing for money from door to door
during the Christmas and New Year's seasons.
Photo: Rest Romania
Christmas Wreath
Over the entry doorway of a typical Bucharest
flat, replete with mistletoe over both doors!
The Family Revelion
New Year's celebrations a big event on the
family calendar
Photo: Rest Romania
The celebration of the Christening of Jesus occurs on January 6--a
date commonly considered to be the coldest day of the year.
Another important date is December 6, when St. Nicholas brings small
gifts to the young children who have polished their shoes and placed
them in front of a window in their home.
Christmas carols, traditional foods and decorated trees are part of
the Christmas traditions. Children start to sing carols during a
ceremony in which a white newborn lamb is carried by a child, thus
symbolizing religious faith and purity.
Three days before Christmas, one may detect a heavy aroma of freshly
baked walnut and raisin cakes. Two days prior to the celebration, the
main cooking activities begin. Pigs-in-the-blanket and beef salad are
two favourite dishes. Christmas Eve is reserved for decorating the tree,
to be followed by the Christmas Eve dinner. This dinner is usually
celebrated within the family. Christmas carols are sung and Santa is
expected to leave presents under the tree; families with small children
are likely to receive a visit from Santa in person. Christmas Day is
celebrated among friends and family.
In Romania, the Christmas and New Year celebrations become merged,
and elements of the Christian faith are blended with hopes for a
prosperous New Year.
Some of the many traditions or symbols include:
The singing of carols as organized by young men or
children
The plough
The skin-covered barrel through which a tuft of hair is
pulled, thereby imitating a bull's roar
The sheep's skin or the goat dances
The mask plays
The walking of the star
Folk theatre
Carollers singers arrive during the afternoon of and evening on
Christmas Eve.
The well-wishers are expected during the afternoon of New Year's
Eve--these are groups who extend wishes for a happy life, prosperity and
fertility in the coming year. The children, who symbolize purity and
hope, usually receive apples, nuts and home-baked bread.
The old fertility rite is a poem describing, in a mythical manner,
the labours to be performed by the ploughman--ranging from seeding to
bread making, and including reaping of the harvest.
New Year's Eve is one holiday that is celebrated throughout the
country. It is an occasion for night-long parties. On this night, the
traditional turkey is served. It is believed that no person should spend
the night alone, as it is the night when the new year, represented by a
baby, is born--and the old year, represented by the tired old man, is
replaced.
The first day of the new year is celebrated through songs and
dances. The songs mostly symbolize the desire for a prosperous new year
as characterized by fair weather, good crops, health and happiness.
Some of the above traditions also involve the use of masks and
costumes. Wheat often appears as a symbol of wealth and prosperity.
One particular folk tale suggests that during the New Year's night,
the sky opens for an instant. At that moment, God is visible to
observers as he oversees all below the heavens.
During the long winter nights, young girls and women will gather at
a certain house in order to sit together, spin or embroider--as they are
known to do with extraordinary talent in Romania.
Spring has Sprung
Regarding the spring customs, the PLOUGHMAN is a celebration of the
man who first ploughs the fields in the spring. Represented by song and
dance, it actually represents hope at the end of the winter and the
beginning of a new and prosperous year.
In the Orthodox faith, it is customary to celebrate the lives of the
saints. If a person's name has a religious meaning, he or she celebrates
the anniversary of the respective saint's day.
St. John, St. Constantine, St. Elena, St. Ilie and St. Mary are some
of the more renowned names. Those people whose names have no religious
meaning celebrate on March 9 by enjoying some traditional cookies which
happen to be prepared differently in different regions of the country.
Martişor
Perhaps a bit mystifying for non-Romanians, this festival roundly
compels males -- whether at home or in the workplace -- to gift the
women around them.
The first day of March is the celebration of Martişor,
a day when gifts of small objects -- plants, shells, flowers, animals,
snowmen or tools -- as well as a red and white ribbon symbolizing life
and purity--are given to young girls and women. The little gift brings
good luck, it is said, during the month of March and throughout the year
ahead. Overall, Martisor signifies the end of winter and the
arrival of spring.
The Eggs Have It!
Whilst red is the first colour done, other
colours may ensue in the annual Easter egg dying, a very common
practice.
The Sunday before Easter Sunday is called FLOWERS' SUNDAY. On that
day, a special celebration takes place for all who have names associated
with flowers. Fish may be eaten that day.
Easter is the second largest religious celebration in Romania. A
six-week fast precedes the holiday, and the rituals of traditional food
preparation resemble those of Christmas. Lamb, cheese cake, coloured
eggs and feta cheese make an appearance in every Easter dinner.
The egg as a symbol represents the miracle of creation. A ritual
colouring of the eggs takes place to express this symbolism. The first
egg coloured for Easter belongs to the children and it must be coloured
red. It is placed in the children's room to protect them from evil. The
second egg coloured is blue, representing the "love of young women." It
is meant to bring good luck in a marriage.
On the first day of Easter, one egg is placed in a pot of water. A
silver coin and some fresh basil are added to the water. All household
members will wash their faces with this water.
Also during Easter, a midnight Mass takes place with a remarkable
candle procession as part of the ceremony. Easter Eve is marked by total
fasting and the first Easter meal takes place that night following the
Mass.
In addition to the Easter celebrations, there is a spring
celebration in which, before the shepherds leave for the mountains, all
who plan to send their sheep along with them gather on a particular
Sunday. Each person milks a sheep and afterwards, a meal, songs and
dances take place. This manner of expressing good wishes through dance
is present in most Romanian customs.
The Summer Celebrations
Other customs related with the mfain trades of Romania include
PAPARUDA during which wishes are offered to ensure that the rain will
bring forth a good autumn crop.
On June 23, SINZIENELE is celebrated. This day represents a ritual
honouring the beginning of summer. It is a ceremonial ritual performed
by young girls who are the symbol of purity. They are to invoke the
spirits of wealth and crops and to bring forth a good year in general.
Summer, as a season of intensive field work, has relatively few
traditional customs taking place within it. Fairs transpire during the
summer, including the well-known Fair of the Gaina Mountain. The fair
has had a dual purpose: It is a time for the exchange of goods and
celebrating summer--and it is an opportunity for matchmaking between
young maidens and men. The chance to meet and fall in love at a fair was
a highly anticipated event each year.
Autumn Events
As the year moved into autumn, September 14 brought the celebration
of the RISE OF THE HOLY CROSS. In the orthodox faith, the deep meaning
of the Holy Cross indicated that it could produce miracles. The frail
and elderly particularly prayed for their own well-being on this day.
The harvest is celebrated by each family, as well as by the entire
community. DRAGAICA is an interesting custom centred around a beauty
contest. The most beautiful girl would become covered with fruit from
the land. Thus decorated, she would run through the streets of the
village, followed by the other girls, wishing the people well and
supposedly bringing good luck to them.
The harvest time also includes a feast to recognize the craft of
Romanian wine-making--with sweet, freshly squeezed wine and spicy smoked
ham being served at that time.
Ceremonial Songs
For all Romanian celebrations, song is an essential component. The
songs reveal all sides of the sensitive hearts of Romanians.
There are ceremonial songs, such as the song of the bride and the
song of the dawn. There are "Doinele" or songs of sorrow, melancholy,
love or rebellion. These were determined to evoke either the longing for
loved ones or social injustice. The ballads, or epic songs, represent
various human experiences.
They will describe events such as the
sunrise, or historical events, heroism, the death of freedom fighters
and the like. They occasionally focus on the trades of the people as
well.
Love songs, lullabies and party songs are also present in the
Romanian folklore. Besides song, artistic and religious artefacts reveal
the traditions of Romanian people.
Over the long course of time, Romanian spirituality was externalized
and manifested throughout the territory of the country, and it was
always created to be attuned to the soul of the land.
What the Spirit Can Achieve!
Elaborate downspouts from this gleaming silver roof show
attention to detail on this Moldovan village house.
Nature endowed Moldova, at the foot of the legendary mountains, with
irresistible scenic places rarely seen elsewhere. In the recesses of the
valleys, in the hiding places of the wood and meadow-covered mountains,
and at the bottom of the gently sloping hills, are found the renowned
monasteries of Moldova. The churches and the monks' quarters of the
Voroneţ, Humor, Moldoviţa, Suceviţa, Andore, Putna and Dragomirna
monasteries are unforgettable. They represent a perfection of unity
between design and pictorial colouring, as well as a stately past.
On their walls, the entire Byzantine religion's art is depicted with
a unique Romanian artistic vision.
In the northern part of Transilvania, in the proud region of
Maramureş, where it seems that nothing can disturb the peace, Romanians
grasped the inner sense of nature and, in accordance with its
gentleness, gifted it with the unpretentious, graceful, and small wooden
churches which are unique compared to other churches throughout the
world. Their pointed towers seem to permanently pierce the infinite sky.
As the sun declines in the twilight, the towers' shadows are elongated
against the earth--as if reaching towards another infinite place.
The harmony of the scenery is reflected artistically and synthesized
in traditional dresses, differing from region to region; in the aspect
of the interior of the houses; in the objects of the folk art; in the
country songs and dances and in traditional customs.
There are embroidered peasant blouses and skirts are made of cocoon
silk, cotton or linens; as well as sheepskin waistcoats. The pottery,
gates, fountains and icons on wood or glass are the expression of a
profound romantic civilization. Here noteworthy craftsmanship portrayed
artistic feeling.
Symbolizing Christianity, the attendant spirit of peace and
eternity, one finds Romanian hermitages carved in rocks and caves,
monasteries, churches, roadside crosses and icons. They express the
entire force of the spiritual liberty of the Romanian people.
Below: A salutary arch of
flowers is made by the wedding party
as the newly married couple emerge from the town hall
The photo immediately preceding this notice is Copyright (c)2005 - 2008 Rest
Romania SRL, All rights reserved.
Photo: 
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