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Christmas - The gift of joyDecember 2022
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by Borș Adi Luminița & Caruceru Paula
ROMANIA
Borș Adi Luminița
Caruceru Paula
Borș Elisabeta Edit
Gabriela Gălățeanu
Răuță Lenuța
Rotar Voichița Mariana
Moș Ileana
Urzică Viorica
Borzei Mariana Rodica
Landea Florica-Monica
Nemțoiu Oana
Păduraru Comanoiu Mihaela
Borș Adi Luminița
Caruceru Paula
Borș Elisabeta Edit
Gabriela Gălățeanu
Răuță Lenuța
Rotar Voichița Mariana
Moș Ileana
Urzică Viorica
Borzei Mariana Rodica
Landea Florica-Monica
Nemțoiu Oana
Păduraru Comanoiu Mihaela
Partners from:
ROMANIA, TURKEY, BULGARIA
ROMANIA, TURKEY, BULGARIA
TURKEY
Elif Gül Moğulkoç
Ayten Akkoç
Rabia Altunișik
Meral Gökbaş Çabuk
Aylin Aydin
Meltem Altundag
Elif Gül Moğulkoç
Ayten Akkoç
Rabia Altunișik
Meral Gökbaş Çabuk
Aylin Aydin
Meltem Altundag
BULGARIA
Kremena Marinova
Kremena Marinova
ROMANIA
Partners from ROMANIA:
Christmas traditions in the historical regions of Romania
Each region in Romania has different influences, so customs also differ, even from one county to another. Below, we detail some of them:
Transylvania
In Bistrita-Nasaud, the "belciugarii" tradition is still preserved. On Christmas Eve, young people dress up in different characters - goat, soldier, bear, groom, bride, doctor or gendarme - and play a skit in each house they visit. It is believed that the households where the Belciugaris were will be rich in the following year.
Also in Transylvania, the carolers start walking on Christmas Eve in a specific order: first the little children, then the schoolchildren and then the children. If the first ones receive nuts and rolls, the older ones collect wine from each family in a barrel or other gifts, especially from the houses where there are marriageable girls.
Moldavia
A tradition that is still preserved is that of colacei. On Christmas Eve, women bake dough in the shape of an incomplete eight, which is then hung on the wall, next to the icons, until the spring equinox. When the man goes out to plow, he breaks the roll into three: one piece he puts under the furrow, one he gives to the animals and the last one he eats.
Also related to food is the tradition of the 12 apostles. Remembering the Last Supper, the women of the household cook 12 dishes that they put on the table since Christmas Eve. The round cake, which symbolizes the crown of Jesus, must not be missing from the table.
Each region in Romania has different influences, so customs also differ, even from one county to another. Below, we detail some of them:
Transylvania
In Bistrita-Nasaud, the "belciugarii" tradition is still preserved. On Christmas Eve, young people dress up in different characters - goat, soldier, bear, groom, bride, doctor or gendarme - and play a skit in each house they visit. It is believed that the households where the Belciugaris were will be rich in the following year.
Also in Transylvania, the carolers start walking on Christmas Eve in a specific order: first the little children, then the schoolchildren and then the children. If the first ones receive nuts and rolls, the older ones collect wine from each family in a barrel or other gifts, especially from the houses where there are marriageable girls.
Moldavia
A tradition that is still preserved is that of colacei. On Christmas Eve, women bake dough in the shape of an incomplete eight, which is then hung on the wall, next to the icons, until the spring equinox. When the man goes out to plow, he breaks the roll into three: one piece he puts under the furrow, one he gives to the animals and the last one he eats.
Also related to food is the tradition of the 12 apostles. Remembering the Last Supper, the women of the household cook 12 dishes that they put on the table since Christmas Eve. The round cake, which symbolizes the crown of Jesus, must not be missing from the table.
Olten
In the Jiului Valley, a custom has remained since the time of the Dacians, called Pitaraii. These are men who start caroling carrying sticks decorated with naframe, crowned with flowers and bells. The custom symbolizes the sacrifice brought to the divinity for the fruitfulness of the holdas and trees.
Also in this area, it is customary for people who go to caroling to be led by a wataf. It has the role of being the first to enter the human household, where it will poke into the fire. Then, he receives a pumpkin shell (called kotovaica) full of seeds of flax, hemp, corn, wheat and pumpkin, which the watava throws in the corners of the household so that the next year will be rich and fruitful.
Grief
When you go caroling in Valea Almajului, the carolers have a stick made of hazel wood with which they hit the floors of the houses they visit, in order to ward off evil spirits. It is believed that the hazelnut has the power to ward off snakes, protect the household and bring prosperity.
Also in this area, on Christmas Eve, the fire in the house is not extinguished at all, because it is believed that this way the next year will be bright and rich. Also, the tree is decorated with sweets, and under it is placed a roll, a sausage and a bottle of brandy, which will serve as gifts for Santa Claus.
Dobrogea
In the commune of Luncavita from Dobrogea, I go to the Mosoii carol. They wear a long coat, made of fox or rabbit fur, colorful masks, ram's horns and are decorated with multicolored flowers and beads. The masks symbolize the ancestral spirits that ward off evil and announce a prosperous year.
If in other areas you go with the Goat, in Dobrogea you go with the Ostrich. His costume is made of thick wool to which reed ties are attached. When they went caroling in the fog, it was very well organized, having a leader, a helper, an accountant, a ringleader, a cat and a mare.
In the Jiului Valley, a custom has remained since the time of the Dacians, called Pitaraii. These are men who start caroling carrying sticks decorated with naframe, crowned with flowers and bells. The custom symbolizes the sacrifice brought to the divinity for the fruitfulness of the holdas and trees.
Also in this area, it is customary for people who go to caroling to be led by a wataf. It has the role of being the first to enter the human household, where it will poke into the fire. Then, he receives a pumpkin shell (called kotovaica) full of seeds of flax, hemp, corn, wheat and pumpkin, which the watava throws in the corners of the household so that the next year will be rich and fruitful.
Grief
When you go caroling in Valea Almajului, the carolers have a stick made of hazel wood with which they hit the floors of the houses they visit, in order to ward off evil spirits. It is believed that the hazelnut has the power to ward off snakes, protect the household and bring prosperity.
Also in this area, on Christmas Eve, the fire in the house is not extinguished at all, because it is believed that this way the next year will be bright and rich. Also, the tree is decorated with sweets, and under it is placed a roll, a sausage and a bottle of brandy, which will serve as gifts for Santa Claus.
Dobrogea
In the commune of Luncavita from Dobrogea, I go to the Mosoii carol. They wear a long coat, made of fox or rabbit fur, colorful masks, ram's horns and are decorated with multicolored flowers and beads. The masks symbolize the ancestral spirits that ward off evil and announce a prosperous year.
If in other areas you go with the Goat, in Dobrogea you go with the Ostrich. His costume is made of thick wool to which reed ties are attached. When they went caroling in the fog, it was very well organized, having a leader, a helper, an accountant, a ringleader, a cat and a mare.
Borș Adi Luminița
We learn through art Învățăm prin artă
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