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Groups > Romania, the land of Dracula? > Discussions > Topic: ROMAN IAN TRADITIONS
Topic: ROMAN IAN TRADITIONS

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Lach V.	ROMAN IAN TRADITIONS December 02, 2007 2:05 AM I'LL TRY TO CREAT THIS TOPIC, AND SORRY, MY FRIENDS, IF SOMETIMES IT WILL BE THE ARTICLE IN ROMANIAN LANGUAGE, I'LL ASK OUR WELL ENGLISH SPEAKER FRIENDS, TO TRANSLATE , BECAUSE, MY ENGLISH..... BRRRRRRRRRRRRR, I'LL TRY TO WRITE NOW ABOUT SOME TRADITIONS REGUARDING THE SAINTS, t november 30 VAS ST ANDREW ANNIVERSARY, WHICH TO US HAS INTERESTING TRADITIONS Obiceiuri si traditii in Romania ...ul livezilor. Impotriva acestor primejdii, taranul roman foloseste ca principal element apotropaic de aparare, usturoiul. In egala masura, casa, grajdul, cotetele, usile si ferestrele acestora sunt unse cu usturoi pisat, menit sa alunge patrunderea duhurilor rele la oameni si animale. In general, acest usturoi cu rol de aparare, provine din cel menit cu un an inainte, in acelasi moment al anului. Pentru cea mai importanta actiune ce se desfasoara in aceasta noapte este pazitul usturoiului. Impreuna, fete si flacai, vegheaza si petrec, tocmai pentru a inzestra usturoiul cu calitatile necesare. Forta magica cu care el va fi investit in ajunul de Sf.Andrei ii va ajuta pe toti sa depaseasca momentele de cumpana de peste an va servi drept remediu terapeutic, va aduce petitori - purtat la brau, va pazi salasurile de duhurile rele. Desi invaluite de muzica si dans, fetele vor veghea cu strasnicie usturoiul, ce nu trebuie furat pe ascuns de flacai. Pazit astfel, usturoiul va putea mai apoi sa asigure protectia fiintei umane, reusind uneori sa-i schimbe chiar soarta. Tot in aceasta noapte, pentru a testa rodnicia livezilor si campurilor se aduc crengute de visin in casa care vor inflori pana la Craciun sau se seamana boabe de grau in diverse recipiente.Sfantul Nicolae Decembrie vine apoi cu sarbatoarea, atat de asteptata de copii, a Sfantului Nicolae. Cati dintre noi nu au asteptat cu infrigurare dimineata de 6 decembrie pentru a se uita daca Mosu a lasat ceva in ghetele pregatite de cu seara Acest obicei al darurilor aduse de Mos Nicolae, s-a impamantenit mai mult la oras. Este posibil sa fie un imprumut din tarile catolice, unde Mos Craciun este cel care pune daruri in ghete sau ciorapi anume pregatiti. Copiilor din Romania li se poate intampla ca Mos Nicolae sa aduca si cate o varguta pentru cei obraznici. Rolul de ocrotitor al familiei cu care a fost investit de religia ortodoxa Sfantul Nicolae ii da dreptul sa intervina in acest fel in educatia copiilor.Povestea lui Mos Craciun incepe cu un batran numit Sfantul Nicolae, episcopul din Myra. Se spune ca el poseda puteri magice si a murit in 340 a.H. si a fost ingropat in Myra.Tarziu, in secolul XI, soldatii religiosi din Italia au luat ramasitele sfantului cu ei inapoi in Italia. Ei au construit o biserica in memoria lui, in ari, un oras port din sudul Italiei. Curand, pelerinii crestini din toata lumea au venit sa viziteze Biserica Sfantului Nicolae. Ei au luat legenda lui Mos Nicolae in locurile lor natale. Legenda s-a raspandit in toata lumea si a luat caracteristicile fiecarei tari. In Europa in secolul al XII lea ziua Sfantului Nicolae a devenit ziua darurilor si a activitatilor caritabile. Germania, Franta si Olanda celebreaza ziua de 6 decembrie ca o srabatoare religioasa si ofera cadouri copiilor si saracilor. Cand coloniile olandeze au calatorit in America, au adus cu ele un episcop care purta un costum rosu si mergea calare pe un cal alb. Imaginea americana a episcopului va evolua treptat paa la cea a unui batran spiridus vesel. A fost descries ca un batran olandez vesel si bucalat din comedia Istoria Ne-York-ului a lui ashington Irving.Anul 1823 a continuat povestile cu Mos Nicolae cu publicarea poemului O vizita a lui Mos Nicolae a lui Clement Moore. Multe tari si-au pastrat propriile obiceiuri si traditii de Sfantul Nicolae. In unele culturi, Sfantul Nicolae calatoreste cu un asistent care il ajuta. In Olanda, episcopul navigheza pe un vapor sosind pe 6 decembrie.Are la el o carte mare care ii spune cum s-au purtat micutii olandezi in timpul anului. Copiii cuminti sunt rasplatiti cu daruri iar cei obraznici sunt luati de asistentul sau, Black Peter.In Germania, Sfantul Nicolae calatoreste tot cu un asistent, cunoscut ca Knecht Ruprecht, Krampus, sau Pelzebock si vine cu un sac in spate si o nuia in mana. Cei obraznici sunt pedepsiti de asistent cu cateva lovituri de nuia.In Italia, La Befana este zana buna care se imbraca in negru si daruri copiilor pe 6 ianuarie. In multe tari latine Spania, Puerto Rico, Mexic si America de Sud, copiii ii asteapta pe cei trei regi sa le aduca daruri de Craciun.Colindatul Pentru cea mai asteptata sarbatoare din decembrie, Craciunul, romanii au apelat in egala masura la traditie, stiind sa accepte si obiceiuri mai recente. Intampinata cu bucurie, Nasterea Mantuitorului aduce cu ea si o suma de practici foarte vechi prin care se celebra Echinoctiul de Iarna, momentul in care natura da sperante ca va renaste. Obiceiul colindatului a inglobat in el nu numai cantec si gest ritual, ci si numeroase mesaje si simboluri ale unei stravechi spiritualitati romanesti. El s-a pastrat asociindu-se cu celebrarea marelui eveniment crestin care este Nasterea Domnului Iisus Hristos. In ajunul Craciunului, pe inserat, in toate satele din tara, incepe colindatul. Copiii cu steaua vestesc Nasterea Domnului si sunt primiti cu bucurie de gazdele care ii rasplatesc cu mere, nuci si colaci. In Maramures, cei care colinda sunt oameni in toata firea. Obiceiul este sa treaca pe la fiecare casa iar apoi, cu tot cu gazdele care i-au omenit, sa continue colindatul. Postul Craciunului ia sfarsit si fiecare se poate bucura de mancarurile rituale preparatele din porc, sarmalele, colacii si cozonacii, prajiturile si vinul. Cele trei zile de sarbatoare ale Craciunului adu [ send green star]
Lach V.	I FOUND EN ENGLISH THIS December 02, 2007 2:22 AM The folk tradition refers to the month of November as "Brumar" or "Promorar". In the Romanian language, the words "bruma" and "promoroaca" mean "hoarfrost". It is the month when the hoarfrost can often be seen. In some folk poems, an interesting character can be found ? he kisses the flowers, thus making them wither. November is also called the month of wines ("Vinar" or "Vincer"). The preparations for the winter season which have been begun in October become more and more intense in November, the month which ends the autumn. [ send green star]
Lach V.	NOVEMBER 30 TH.......PARON OF THE WOLVES.... December 02, 2007 2:24 AM November 30th: St. Andrew St. Andrew is the patron of the wolves, being the one who protects the people attacked by these animals. St. Andrew is also celebrated in order that the wolves should stay away from the households or from the travelers. The salt is charmed and buried under the door of the stable. It will be taken out on St. George and given to the cattle, as a protection against the wolves and other evil things. Nothing is lent on this day, so that the products of the field shouldn`t be stolen. The women aren`t allowed to wash or to comb their hair. The children put apple, pear or plum branches in the water, so that they would bloom. These will be used on St. Vasile, as a ?sorcova?. The girls and boys seed wheat and the one whose wheat grew more will be the luckiest one. [ send green star]
Lach V.	SAINT APOSTLE ANDREW, THE PROTECTOR OF ROMANIA December 02, 2007 5:18 AM Front Page / Culture Saint Apostle Andrew, the protector of Romania, celebrated todaypublished in issue 4074 page 16 at 2007-11-30The Orthodox and Romano-Catholic Christians celebrate Saint Andrew today, considered the protector of Romania, as he preached Christianity on this teritory and he baptized the first inhabitants of the Western coast of the Black Sea. Saint Andrew, the first apostle, was the brother of Peter, another of Jesus’ twelve apostles. Both of them were the sons of the fisherman Jonas. Saint Andrew’s Eve is considered one of the moments when the border that separates the “seen” from the “unseen” disappears. “Andrew, the head of winter”, as the inhabitants of Bucovina call him, allows the interference of the maleficent and the beneficent forces, as the important things in the existence of humans can be overturned from their natural flow. People believe that, during that nights, “ghosts haunt, in order to steal the milk of the cows, the brains of humans and the fruit of the orchard.” To fight against these dangers, the Romanian peasants used garlic. The doors and windows of their houses were greased with mashed garlic, in order to chase evil spirits. During the night, girls and boys “guard the garlic” by partying. Also, the garlic is a medicine. If one wears it at the girdle, it brings suitors.During this night, as well, in order to test the fertility of the orchards and the fields, sour cherry tree branches or grain seeds are brought in the house, or planted in small pots. If they burst into flowers until Christmas, the year to come will be fruitful.Over night, girls stay in front of a mirror, between two candles, until they see the face of their future lover, or they put sweet basil under their pillow to dream about him. [ send green star]
Lach V.	December 02, 2007 5:32 AM Saint Andrew From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search "St Andrew" redirects here, for other uses, see St Andrews (disambiguation). Saint Andrew Icon of the Apostle AndrewApostleBornunknown, BethsaidaDiedunknown, Patras, upon an X shaped crossVenerated inAll ChristianityMajor shrineChurch of St. Andreas at Patras, with his relicsFeast November 30 AttributesOld man with long (in the East often untidy) white hair and beard, holding the Gospel in right hand, sometimes leaning on a saltire cross Patronage Scotland, Russia, Sicily, Greece, Romania, Amalfi, Luqa (Malta) and Prussia; Army Rangers, mariners, fishermen, fishmongers, rope-makers, singers and performers Saints Portal ortal.svg" rel="nofollow" > Christianity Portal Saint Andrew (Greek: Ανδρέας, Andreas), called in the Orthodox tradition Protocletos, or the First-called, is a Christian Apostle and the younger brother of Saint Peter. The name "Andrew" (from Greek : ανδρεία, manhood, or valour), like other Greek names, appears to have been common among the Jews from the second or third century B.C. No Hebrew or Aramaic name is recorded for him. The New Testament records that St Andrew was a son of Jonah, or John, (Matthew 16:17; John 1:42). He was born in Bethsaida on the [ send green star]
Lach V.	December 02, 2007 5:35 AM The New Testament records that St Andrew was a son of Jonah, or John, (Matthew 16:17; John 1:42). He was born in Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee (John 1:44). Both he and his brother Peter were fishermen by trade, hence the tradition that Jesus called them to be his disciples by saying that He will make them "fishers of men" (Greek: ἁλιείς ἀνθρώπων, halieis anthropon). ^[1] At the beginning of Jesus' public life they occupied the same house at Capernaum (Mark 1:21, 29). The Gospel of John teaches that Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist, whose testimony first led him and John the Evangelist to follow Jesus (John 1:35-40). Andrew at once recognized Jesus as the Messiah, and hastened to introduce him to his brother (John 1:41). Thenceforth the two brothers were disciples of Christ. On a subsequent occasion, prior to the final call to the apostolate, they were called to a closer companionship, and then they left all things to follow Jesus (Luke 5:11; Matthew 4:19-20; Mark 1:17-18). In the gospels Andrew [ send green star]
Lach V.	December 02, 2007 5:36 AM In the gospels Andrew is referred to as being present on some important occasions as one of the disciples more closely attached to Jesus (Mark 13:3; John 6:8, 12:22), but in Acts there is only a bare mention of him (1:13). Eusebius quotes Origen as saying Andrew preached in Asia Minor and in Scythia, along the Black Sea as far as the Volga and Kiev. Hence he became a patron saint of Romania and Russia. According to tradition, he founded the See of Byzantium (Constantinople)^[2] in AD 38, installing Stachys as bishop. This diocese would later develop into the Patriarchate of Constantinople. Andrew is recognized as its patron saint. Andrew is said to have been martyred by crucifixion at Patras (Patrae) in Achaea. Though early texts, such as the Acts of Andrew known to Gregory of Tours,^[3] describe Andrew bound, not nailed, to a Latin cross of the kind on which Christ was crucified, a tradition grew up that Andrew had been crucified on a cross of the form called Crux decussata (X-shaped cross) and commonly known as "St. Andrew's cross"; this was performed at his own request, as he deemed himself unworthy to be crucified on the same type of cross on which Christ was crucified.^[4] "The familiar iconography of his martyrdom, showing the apostle bound to an X-shaped cross, does not seem to have been standardized before the later Middle Ages," Judith Calvert concluded after re-examining the materials studied by Louis Réau.^[5] [ send green star]
Lach V.	December 02, 2007 5:38 AM Saint Andrew is the patron of Patras. According to tradition his relics were moved from Patras to Constantinople, and thence to St. Andrews (see below). Local legends say that the relics were sold to the Romans. The head of the saint, considered one of the treasures of St. Peter's Basilica, was given by the Byzantine despot Thomas Palaeologus to Pope Pius II in 1461. In recent years, by decision of Pope Paul VI in 1964, the relics that were kept in the Vatican City, were sent back to Patras. The relics, which consist of the small finger, part of the top of the cranium of Saint Andrew and small parts of the cross, have since that time been kept in the Church of St. Andrew at Patras in a special shrine, and are reverenced in a special ceremony every November 30. [ send green star]
Lach V.	SAINT NICHOLAS IS COMING......... HUSH....... December 03, 2007 1:18 PM As far as traditions are concerned, in Romania Saint Nicholas is depicted as a white-bearded old man who comes at night-time at people’s homes to bring gifts and sweets to children, placing them in the boots nicely placed by the front door. This tradition which claims that the Saint brings presents to children is rooted in a report on the bishop’s life, in which a poverty-stricken man is forced to sell his three daughters in order to survive. The night before the sale, Saint Nicholas took pity on the girls and brought them a purse of golden coins each, thus preventing the shameful sale. On Saint Nicholas Day, approx. half a million Romanians celebrate their name day. According to national statistics, out of the approx. 22 million Romanians, 483,925 are named after the Saint and celebrate their name day on December 6. The Ministry of Administration and the Interior announced that of the total number of people named Nicolae, Niculae, Nicoleta and derivative names, 355,665 are men and 128,260 are women. [ send green star]
Lach V.	DRAGOBETHE...... February 10, 2008 2:57 AM Dragobete is a traditional Romanian holiday, celebrated on February 24. Dragobete was the son of Baba Dochia. The day is known as "the day when the birds are getting engaged". This day is supposed to protect one from the fever which produces shivers and illness. If the weather allows it, girls and boys are supposed to pick snowdrops or other early spring plants for someone they are courting. Dragobete is also known as being the day of lovers for Romanians. A common belief (in some parts of Romania) during this celebration is that if one steps over his/her partner's foot, he/she will have the dominating role in their relationship. The usual activities for this custom vary from region to region. In neighbouring Bulgaria, the custom of stepping over the partner's feet is traditionally performed at weddings with the same purpose, but it is not believed to be connected to Dragobete. See also Mărţişor - another Romanian spring/fertility holiday [ send green star]
Lach V.	HAVE A NICE DRAGOBETHE, IT'S OUR' VALENTINE DAY'!!!!!!!! February 23, 2008 11:24 PM Dragobete Celebration at the Village Museum The holiday is the Romanian version of the Valentine’s Day The “Dimitrie Gusti” National Village Museum, under the protection of the Ministry of Culture and Religious Denominations will organise the Dragobete, the Romanian love holiday, on Saturday, February 24, 2008. The celebration will include folklore songs and dance performances, folk music, traditional Romanian party music, theatre performances and competitions, while the group “Cucii” from Branesti will perform traditional greetings. The celebration will include... Details Enescu, Elgar and Bizet music at Radio Hall Bucharest - “A magnificent cello player” (the paper “El Pais” from Spain), “the golden cellist” (“La Stampa” magazine, Italy), “an excellent musician” (according to conductor Ghenadi Rojdestvensky), “a great artist with unbelievably beautiful sonority and impeccable technique” - these are only some of the eulogies referring to Romanian cello player Marin Cazacu (born on September 30, 1956, at Vidra, in the Ilfov County).... Details [ send green star]
Lach V.	February 23, 2008 11:27 PM Dragobete Celebration at the Village MuseumThe holiday is the Romanian version of the Valentine’s Daypublished in issue 4126 page 16 at 2008-02-22The “Dimitrie Gusti” National Village Museum, under the protection of the Ministry of Culture and Religious Denominations will organise the Dragobete, the Romanian love holiday, on Saturday, February 24, 2008. The celebration will include folklore songs and dance performances, folk music, traditional Romanian party music, theatre performances and competitions, while the group “Cucii” from Branesti will perform traditional greetings. The celebration will include exhibitions featuring artisans’ works and stands providing sponge cake, pies and ginger bread, as well as beautiful March amulets that symbolise the beginning of spring. The Dragobete is the Romanian version of the Valentine’s Day, that celebrates love. It is likely that February 24 symbolized the beginning of spring for our ancestors, the joy of nature’s awakening, fully shared by human beings. Mythological entity similar to Eros or Cupid, Dragobete, unlike the kind and gentle Saint Valentine of the Catholic tradition, is a charming, restless and passionate man. Initially an ancient Dacian god, a matchmaker and a godfather of animals, Romanians turned Dragobete into the protector of the love of couples that meet on Dragobete Day, a love that was forecasted to last for the whole year, similarly to birds that “get engaged”on the same day, tradition says. A special saying is dedicated to this day: Dragobete kisses the girls. There are many beliefs referring to this holiday. By example, they said that attendants to this holiday would be protected from diseases, and especially fever, and that Dragobete helps people to have a successful year. Girls and boys dressed in their best clothes met in front of the church and left to the woods, to search for spring flowers. [ send green star]
Lach V.	ENJOY, BE HAPPY!!!!!! February 23, 2008 11:32 PM Dragobete bate la usa Published in February 23rd, 2008 Posted by vulpita in D'ale mele Mai sunt cateva ore si iubirea va frii sarbatorita din nou. De data acesta se sarbatoreste si se iubeste in stilul dulce romanesc. Este ziua lui Dragobete, fiul babei Dochia, echivalentul lui Eros sau Cupidon din mitologie, un barbat chipes si neastamparat, protector al iubirii. Astfel, de Dragobete, fetele si baietii se intalnesc pentru ca iubirea lor sa tina tot anul, precum a pasarilor ce se “logodesc” in acesta zi. Exista si numeroase traditii si obieiuri legate de ziua de Dragobete. In dimineata zilei de Dragobete fetele si femeile tinere strangeau zapada proaspata, o topeau si se spalau cu apa astfel obtinuta pe cap, crezand ca vor avea parul si tenul placute admiratorilor. Aceasta zi era vazuta ca fiind una de bun augur, deoarece se credea ca aduce gospodarilor un an mai imbelsugat, liniste, noroc in dragoste si prosperitate. Tot in acesta zi, tinerii si tinerele se imbracau in haine de sarbatoare si plecau prin padure pentru a culege ghiocei, viorele, tamaioasa, pe care le asezau la icoane si le foloseau la diverse farmece de dragoste. Pe la ora pranzului, fetele porneau in fuga spre sat,iar iubitul fiecareia trebuia sa plece dupa aleasa lui. De isi prindea iubita, acesta ii fura o sarutare in vazul lumii, sarutare ce simboliza legamantul lor de dragoste pe intregul an de zile. De aici si celebra zicala “Dragobetele saruta fetele!”, mult indragita de fetele nerabdatoare, ce purtau in suflet speranta primirii a cat mai multor sarutari, ce erau menite sa le aduca acestora dragoste pe deplin in viitor.De asemenea, in acesata zi se faceau petreceri cu manacare si bautura. Despre toti cei care nu doreau sa sarbatoreasca de Dragobete, se spunea ca vor ramane singuri tot restul anului. Pacat ca in ultima vreme, Dragobetele, una din sarbatoarile cu cele mai frumoase obiceiuri stravechi, este din ca in ce data uitarii in favoarea Valentine’s Day a americanilor ce nu are nici o legatura cu spiritualitatea roamneasca. Daca va numarati printre cei care pastreaza traditiile romanesti referitoare la sarbatoarea de Dragobete, va urez ca maine sa aveti parte de o zi cat mai frumoasa alaturi de persoana iubita! [ send green star]
Lach V.	February 23, 2008 11:35 PM Dragobetele saruta fetele! http://www.gardianul.ro/pics/size1/mediacultura2006022402.jpg" width="104" align="right" />14 februarie. Pana nu demult o zi obisnuita din calendar. In ultimii ani a capatat o noua conotatie “Ziua indragostitilor” sau “Sf. Valentin” un sfant catolic. Insa nu multi stiu ca in rit ortodox Sf. Valentin este pe data de 16 februarie si ca inca de pe vremea tracilor s-a pastrat traditia unei zile a indragostitilor serbata pe 24 februarie si denumita “Dragobete”. Dragobete se spune ca era fiul Mamei Dochia, un fel de zeu al iubirii ce oficia in cer, la inceputul fiecarei primaveri, nunta tuturor animalelor, traditie ce s-a extins treptat pana in randul oamenilor si a da nastere unor obiceiuri specifice romanilor din sudul si nordul Dunarii. In mediul rural, in special, traditia straveche, riturile vechilor traci raman inca vii. Romanul de aici isi mai aduce inca aminte de obiceiul de demult al fetelor si baietilor, care, in ziua lui Dragobete, se primeneau in haine curate de sarbatoare si porneau cu voie buna inspre padure, pentru a culege ghiocei, viorele, tamaioasa, pe care le asezau la icoane si le foloseau la diverse farmece de dragoste. Inspre ora pranzului, fetele porneau in goana inspre sat, fuga fiecareia atragand dupa sine cate un baiat, si nu unul oarecare, ci acela care le indragea. De isi prindea aleasa, acesta ii fura o sarutare in vazul lumii, sarutare ce simboliza legamantul lor de dragoste pe intregul an de zile. De aici si celebra zicala “Dragobetele saruta fetele!”, mult indragita de fetele nerabdatoare, ce purtau in suflet speranta primirii a cat mai multor sarutari, ce erau menite sa le aduca acestora dragoste pe deplin in viitor. Un alt obicei al fetelor era de a strange omatul netopit, apa de ploaie sau de izvor, pe care o considerau ca avand efecte magice asupra lor atunci cand o foloseau, intrucat deveneau mai frumoase si mai dragastoase. Fiecare avea grija ca aceasta zi sa nu ii prinda fara pereche, ceea ce ar fi reprezentat un semn rau, prevestitor de singuratate pe intreg parcursul anului, pana la urmatoarea zi de Dragobete. Insa romanii incep usor usor sa-si uite originile, vor sa fie cat mai aproape de Occident, sa le imite “valorile”, stricand frumusetea sarbatorilor, totul devenind din ce in ce mai superficial. In zilele noastre sa fii vazut cu cadou sau flori de “valentine’s day” a devenit un trend, ca si cum n-ai fi in randul lumii daca nu detii asa ceva. Insa daca iubesti pe cineva nu i-o poti arata decat intr-o zi? Daca te iubesti cu cineva, nu va iubiti in fiecare zi? Daca simtiti ca doriti sa faceti cadouri nu o puteti face in oricare zi a anului? Pentru ca de “valentine’s day” cadoul este facut mai mult din obligatie, nu din dorinta. Astfel ziua acesta este foarte tare asteptata de micii comercinati si nu numai, cand se vand tot felul de maimutoaie, inimioare si alte jucarii kitschoase. Cel putin ziua indragostitilor romaneasca era o legatura om natura, vestea primavara si iubirea prin joc si armonie, totul bazandu-se pe sentimente si nu pe obligatii si consumatorism. Romanii au traditii nemaipomenit de frumoase, dar acum le iau in batjocura cand cei din mediul rural le serbeaza. Si cum orice lucru il pretuiesti dupa ce-l pierzi, sigur asa se va intampla si cu romanii dupa ce vom fi acaparati de mediul occidental. Astazi multi straini sunt fascinati de toate traditiile noastre, viziteaza Romania pentru a lua parte la diferite sarbatori romanesti si toti ne sfatuiesc sa pastram cu mare grija ceea ce avem, deoarece in tarile lor, dezvoltate din toate punctele de vedere, acestea au fost uitate si se regreta. Sa speram ca romanului ii va veni mai devreme mintea [ send green star]
Lach V.	AND THERE IS COMING 1 OF MARCH, 'MARTISOR' February 23, 2008 11:38 PM Mărţişor From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Mărţişor is the traditional celebration of the beginning of the spring in Romania and Moldova, on 1 March. The day's name is the diminutive of March (in Romanian Martie), and thus means something like "little" or "dear March". Nowadays, men offer women a talisman object also called Mărţişor, consisting of a jewel or a small decoration like a flower, an animal,a heart, tied to a red and white string. However, giving a little nickel tied to a red and white string is an old custom and was originally designated for both men and women. It was believed that the one who wears the red and white string will be powerful and healthy for the year to come. The decoration is a symbol of the coming spring. A woman wears it pinned to her blouse on this day and up to two weeks after. Occasionally, women also give such gifts to men. In some parts of Romania such as Moldova or Bukovina the symbol of spring was a gold or silver medal which was worn around the neck. After wearing the coin for twelve days, they bought sweet cheese with the medal, because it was believed that their faces would remain beautiful and white the entire year. edit] History XImageTransform.Microsoft.AlphaImageLoader(src='http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/85/Martisor_simple.svg/180px-Martisor_simple.svg.png'); WIDTH: 1px; HEIGHT: 1px"> A sample generic Mărţişor Mărţişor is the symbol of spring and also a celebration on the first of March. Its beginnings are still a mystery, but it is usually said that it originated in ancient Rome, because New Year's Eve was celebrated on the 1st of March (Martius), the month of the war god Mars. He had a double role: both protector of agriculture and of war, so the celebration signified the rebirth of nature. The duality of symbols is kept in the colours of the Mărţişor: white and red, meaning peace and war (it might also symbolize winter and spring). For the Thracians, Marsyas-Silen, whose cult was related to the vegetation and the land, had the same attributes. The flower and nature celebrations were consecrated to him. This custom can be found in all areas where Romanians live. Bulgarian neighbours also have an almost identical tradition on the 1 March, called "Martenitsa". edit] See also Dragobete - another Romanian spring/fertility holiday edit] External links [ send green star]
Lach V.	I HOPE THE GIRL WILL RECIEVE NICE MARTISOARE, SO BE HAPPY, GIRLS..... February 23, 2008 11:40 PM XImageTransform.Microsoft.AlphaImageLoader(src='http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/85/Martisor_simple.svg/180px-Martisor_simple.svg.png'); WIDTH: 1px; HEIGHT: 1px"> A sample generic Mărţişor [ send green star]
Lach V.	A LITTLE MARTISOR FROM ......BEATLES.... February 23, 2008 11:49 PM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYl0iMSlMQg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PykzyxWYS3Y FOR ALL THE MICHELLES.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBwGmOexmNo and..... L O V E , L O V E , L O V E http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLxTpsIVzzo TO ALL OF YOU, FROM ME TO YOU......... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6O8YvKHRMrw [ send green star]
Simona S.	love ,love, love February 24, 2008 10:57 AM [ send green star] [ accepted]
Lach V.	ASA, DRAGA SIMONA, February 25, 2008 2:58 AM CA BINE ZICI....... HAAAAHAAAA [ send green star]
Lach V.	FOR YOU ALL. MY DEAQREST FRIENDS February 25, 2008 3:10 AM A ROMANIAN 'MARTISOR' FOR 1 OF MARCH IF ANYBODY IS HERE TO RECIEVE IT/?????, IF IS OR NOT, NO MATTER, I SEND IT TO YOU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC4PQGS0j6M BE HAPPY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crYm91p8jM8 ENJOY, SPRING IS COMING!!!!!! LOVE, BE GLAD.... FORGET THE SORROWS, THE SADDNESS, TRY TO BE HAPPY... LIFE IS SHORT... SO , LIVE IT T O D A Y http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ll9yCvO3d0 THIS CLIP IS ABOUT HOW WE SEARCH AND BUY THESE LITTLE 'MARTISOR' Dragobetele sărută fetele februarie 24, 2008 by Petrvs Cu ceva timp în urmă îmi propuneam să aduc la lumină obiceiuri de prin diferite zone ale ţării legate de anumite evenimente din viaţa de zi cu zi sau de fenomene astronomice. …din păcate, obiceiuri puţin exploatate din punct de vedere turistic, pentru că e mai convenabil să împrumuţi produse de la americani, să le împachetezi în ambalaje româneşti kitsch-oase şi să vinzi o aventură desprinsă din romane la Castelul lui Dracula, cel sugător de sânge de fecioară. Ăsta e Halloween-ul, aceeaşi poveste şi cu Valentine’s Day…. Eu unul nu am auzit în ultimul timp de vreun pachet de week-end promoţional oferit prin concurs de vreo agenţie, post de radio etc. cu ocazia Sărbătorii de Sf. Andrei sau de Dragobete, dar am fost bombardat auditiv şi vizual cu ocazia celor două sărbători importate prin toate canalele media. Revenind la subiect, Drgobetele este acel reprezentant al sexului tare care în ziua de 24 februarie îşi aleargă, nu pentru a-i aplica vreo corecţie corporală pentru că a ars mâncarea sau nu i-a călcat cămaşa, ci pentru a-şi confirma iubirea dintre ei, printr-un sărut din partea acesteia în văzul tuturor. Dragobetele este orice tânăr căruia i s-au aprins călcâiele după vreo Ileană Cosânzeană a timpurilor moderne, dată cu negru pe la ochi şi obrazul sulemenit cu pudră fină. Pentru omul din trecut, ziua de Dragobete reprezenta începutul primăverii, o altă etapă în cursul vieţii. Azi, 24 februarie, a avut loc la Muzeul Satului din Capitală târgul de Dragobete. Deşi speriaţi de coada de la intrare şi de persoanele în vârstă ce îşi asteptau liniştite rândul " src="http://digitalguide.wordpress.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif" /> , am hotărât să rămânem, vremea fiind propice pentru o gură de aer şi diversitate artistică. Zic diversitate artistică pentru că am putut admira mărţişoarele făcute manual, operele ale meşterilor populari: icoane (din păcate din ce în ce mai puţini meşteri iconari la astfel de manifestări), instrumente de suflat, podoabe artizanale şi obiecte decorative. Turta dulce a reuşit să agite spiritele între vizitatorii muzeului şi să provoace o aglomeraţie de nedescris la masa comercianţilor respectivi. Nu au lipsit din program muzica şi dansurile populare sau scurte reprezentaţii tematice ale teatrului Masca. Jurnalul Naţional şi-a scos la vânzare muzicile de colecţie, iar TVR a transpus pe suporturi moderne cântecul şi jocul popular. Păcat că tradiţiile pier, dovadă şi numărul redus de expozanţi. De Dragobete, Muzeul Satului a văzut mai mulţi vizitatori ca [ send green star]
Lach V.	FOR EACH OF YOU, MY FRIENDS, A MARTISOR, SEEK WHICH ONE DO YOU LIKE THE BEST!!! IT'S JUST FOR YOU, W February 25, 2008 3:13 AM WITH LOVE FROM ME TO YOU..... [ send green star]
Lach V.	February 25, 2008 3:28 AM FOR YOU, MY FRIENDS [ send green star]
Simona S.	February 27, 2008 12:58 PM very nice!flowersmile* [ send green star] [ accepted]
Lach V.	religious tradition June 02, 2008 4:39 AM [ send green star]
Lach V.	SANZIENELE..... June 15, 2008 1:40 AM If you want to participate at a midsummer festival based on an ancient tradition that can match your romantic side, than come to Maramures on 24th of June. "Sanzienele" is a festival that takes its name from the love and fertility fairies. The locals use to pick "sanziene" flowers, once used in ancient occult rituals and adorn their windows and gates of their houses to protect themselves from evil. It is said that if you are an unmarried girl you can put those flowers under you pillow and you will dream for your chosen one. You can try it too; see if you belong together... [ send green star]
Lach V.	NOAPTEA DE SANZIENE...... June 15, 2008 1:41 AM Noaptea de Sanziene -24 iunie- superstitiile au fost culese din satul Meziad, jud. Bihor ) Noaptea de Sanziene reprezinta sursa celor mai multe mituri si legende romanesti. Pentru unii, noaptea de Sanziene nu reprezinta nimic, insa pentru altii, aceasta e o noapte in care stau cu sufletul la gura...acesti oameni sunt in mare parte, oameni superstitiosi. Asadar, dintre toate miturile legate de noaptea de Sanziene doar cateva sunt mai credibile si reprezentative: In popor, se spune ca ziua de Sanziene este foarte scurta, datorita varcolacilor, niste creaturi inspaimantatoare, cu ochi de pisica, cap de lup si dinti foarte ascutiti. Acestia, se spune, mananca soarele, care dispare de pe cer. Pentru ca soarele sa revina pe cer a doua zi, oamenii fac seara descantece in jurul focului, dand foc unor cauciucuri pe care le arunca la vale, de pe deal, pentru a alunga spiritele rele. Tot atunci vrajitoarele care practica magia alba fac descantece la ochi de balta. Alta legenda spune ca in ziua de Sanziene fetele singure trebuie sa 'fure' busuioc sfintit de la preot, pe care si-l pun in san, pentru ca apoi, seara, sa si-l puna sub perna pentru a- si visa ursitul. Oare, voi face si eu acelasi lucru cand Things to do To see Survival guide Your location: Front page » Things to do » Feel the romantic Romania [ send green star]
Lach V.	TRADITIONS FROM MARGINIMEA SIBIULUI June 15, 2008 1:51 AM Marginime lacals' most important traditions are rediscovered during the winter holidays. "Young men's carols" and the " Young men band" are unique. Traditional dances such as "Calusarii", " Braul" and "Sarba" are also unique. The celebrations last for 12 days, from Christmas Eve until Saint John, on January 7. The carols, one of the most ancient Romanian traditions, start with children's songs in Marginime and later are sung by the young men bands, who embody the Bible's wise men. The fourth day of Christmas is marked by a large gathering: young people from Marginime and the neighboring counties – Alba, Brasov, Valcea – meet in Saliste for the Union dance. Lasata Secului, the Orthodox equivalent of Mardi Gras, is marked by fires lit on hills close to the villages. On 23, locals celebrate "Sangeorz" (from Saint George), a tradition devoted to the regeneration of spring and life. "Sanzienele", another ancient tradition, preserved unaltered by the modern times are celebrated on June 24. And, as we are in the shepherds empire, July 20 is the day when lambs are sheared, while August 1 is bears's day, Mavcovei, a day of fasting. For weddings, the gates of the bride and groom's houses are decorated, and when the time comes, the road for wedding attendants is closed. The groom and the best man, togheter with a shinning group of goyful young men, are allowed to go to ask for the bride. At the other and of life, when one of the locals dies, the bells ring for him or her in the village of birth [ send green star]
Lach V.	TRADITIONAL DANCES June 15, 2008 1:56 AM Întâlnirea cetelor de juni din Marginimea Sibiului Index www.sibiul.ro » Evenimente Sibiene » Întâlnirea cetelor de juni din Marginimea SibiuluiAutorMesaj Mesaje: 292 Locatie: Sibiu Trimis: 28.12.2006 21:56 Titlu: Întâlnirea cetelor de juni din Marginimea Sibiului Astazi 28 decembrie, pe un frig patrunzator, a avut loc in Saliste ("capitala spirituala a Marginimii") , Întâlnirea cetelor de juni din Mărginimea Sibiului. La eveniment au asistat mitropolitul Streza, Corneliu Bucur, Eugen Neagu si alte oficialitati locale. Picture 076.jpg Descriere: Mãrime fisier: 73.86 kb Vizualizat: de 544 ori Picture 054.jpg Descriere: Mãrime fisier: 77.03 kb Vizualizat: de 544 ori Picture 037.jpg Descriere: Mãrime fisier: 74.89 kb Vizualizat: de 544 ori [ send green star]
Lach V.	VIDEO CLIP -TRADITION "SANZIENE' JUNE 24 June 15, 2008 2:02 AM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7DrFZy4CtI ENJOY [ send green star]
Lach V.	I HOPE, I'LL HAVE THE TIME TO TRANSLATE, OR ONE OF OUR ROMANIAN FRIENDS WILL HELP ME? June 15, 2008 2:04 AM Postat de Romanul traditionalist in categoria Sanzienele No Comments Moment crucial al anului, solstitiul de vara, care coincide si cu marea sarbatoare religioasa a Sfantului Ioan Botezatorul, prilejuieste celebrarea Sanzienelor in ziua de 24 iunie. In aceasta perioada majoritatea plantelor sunt in plina floare, Sanzienele fiind ziua in care femeile, imbracate in haine de sarbatoare, se duc sa culeaga ierburi de leac necesare pentru tot anul. Sub numele de Sanziene sau Dragaice, folclorul românesc desemneaza niste fapturi fantastice, frumoase dar nemilostive, care bântuie prin ogoare, lunci si câmpuri. In noaptea de Sanziene, noapte cu virtuti magice, exista un anume moment in care toate stihiile stau in cumpana. Un moment de liniste in care se realizeaza un contact intre lumea noastra si “lumea cealalta”. In aceasta clipa, pentru câtiva se pot deschide “ortile cerului”. Se crede ca Sanzaienele incing hore ametitoare iar plantele culese in aceste momente pentru leac sunt mai eficiente. Folosind practici divinatorii, tinerii isi afla viitorul, aruncând coronite alcatuite din flori galbene de sânzâiene pe coamele caselor. In functie de felul in care acestea se anina de acoperis sau cad, ei pot sa afle ce le rezerva destinul. Se spune de asemenea ca animalele se strâng si stau la sfat. Cine le pandeste le poate intelege graiul si poate afla multe taine. In aceasta noapte, intre ceasurile 10 si 12 se spune ca apare floarea de feriga, alba si stralucitoare, care aduce celui ce o culege mare noroc. Duhuri nevazute pazesc cu strasnicie aceasta floare si iti trebuie mult curaj pentru a o dobandi dintr-o padure indepartata unde nu se aude cantec de cocos. Exista de asemeni obiceiul unui scaldat ritual pentru pastrarea sanatatii. Locuri anume, ape din salbaticie sunt alese pentru acest lucru. Fetele, imbracate de sarbatoare isi aleg pe cea mai frumoasa dintre ele si o insotesc cu alai pe ogoare. Impodobite cu coronite de flori si spice, joaca hore pe câmp si la intrarea in sate pentru a aduce belsug si a feri holdele de paguba. Atotputernicia soarelui de la solstitiu se celebreaza prin focurile de Sanziene, aprinse pe locul cel mai ridicat. Incinsi cu brauri de pelin, oamenii se rotesc in jurul focului, apoi arunca aceste brauri ca sa arda odata cu toate posibilele necazuri care ar fi sa vie. Perechile tinere, pentru a avea parte de o casatorie fericita sar de trei ori peste foc. Exista de asemeni credinta ca fata care va sari de noua ori peste foc isi va gasi flacaul pereche cu care se va marita pana la sfarsitul anului si vor da nastere unor copii sanatosi. La final, o roata mare de foc e trimisa pe o panta, simbol al soarelui care se scurge odata cu vara, catre toamna. Este ziua in care floarea de sanziene este aninata la ferestre, la porti, la stresinile caselor pentru a-i apara pe oameni de duhurile rele. Roua de pe sanziene culeasa in aceasta zi se foloseste in bolile de ochi; planta intreaga se pune in scaldatorile copiilor debili; zeama este folosita impotriva frigurilor; pusa in rachiu vindeca hernia. Datorita proprietilor sale de a inchega laptele i se mai spune si Inchegatoare. Sarbatoarea aceasta, cu semnificatii mitico-magice este de origine pre-dacica. Cunoscuta si sub numele de Nedeia ea a fost transmisa romanilor de catre sacerdotiul geto-dac. Cunoscatori ai virtutilor magice ale acestui moment, constienti de puterea ascunsa a celor nevazute, romanii continua si astazi sa marcheze prin datini stravechi ziua de 24 iunie- Sanzienele dar si nasterea Sfantului Ioan Botezatorul. Sursa: http://nouaromanie.ro/revista%20on-line_files/nr2-iunie2001/calendar%20traditional.htm [ send green star]
Lach V.	SATURDAY BEFORE PENTECOSTE June 15, 2008 2:16 AM Mosii de varaPostat de Romanul traditionalist in categoria Mosii de vara No Comments Din aceeasi categorie: - Mosii de vara Mosii de vara se serbeaza in sambata dinaintea Duminicii Rusaliilor. In popor se spune ca Mosii ar fi fost noua unchesi batrani, care, pe unde mergeau, numai bine si minuni faceau. Se spune ca in zilele premergatoare Mosilor de Vara, sau Mosilor Cireselor, se desteapta toti mortii si se duc pe Valea cu Dor. Acolo gasesc tot ce li s‑a dat de pomana in cursului anului. Cine nu gaseste nimic ia tarina in poala si se intoarce mihnit. De ziua Mosilor de Vara, femeile impart oale cu apa, pentru ca si cei morti sa aiba cu ce bea apa pe lumea cealalta. In zilele de Mosi se lucreaza orice, dar nu se toarce, caci se crede ca astfel se intorc colacii de la morti indarat. Nu se arunca gunoiul afara din casa din credinta ca va ajunge la morti, care asteapta aceasta zi pentru a capata meride si bautura. Nu se matura, ca se da praf in ochii mortilor, care stau dupa usa pina a doua zi, cind, dupa terminarea liturghiei de Rusalii, isi iau zborul catre cer. La Mosii de Vara, femeile dau de pomana vase (din lemn sau de lut, odinioara) pline cu vin, apa, lapte, cu mincare gatita, alaturi de care se pun piine, flori si luminari aprinse. Vasele se impodobesc cu flori si cirese, asa ca Mosii de Vara mai sint cunoscuti si ca Mosii Cireselor. In vechime, cofele care se dadeau de pomana erau umplute cu apa de la fintina sau de izvor. Cind cofele erau umplute cu apa, pe ghizdurile fantinii ori langa izvor se lasa cite un ban, ca plata pentru apa si pentru ca pomana sa fie primita. In unele zone ale Moldovei, impartirea vaselor se continua in prima si a doua zi de Rusalii. Sambata, in toate locasurile de cult se oficiaza slujbe de pomenire a mortilor. Local, exista obiceiul ca, daca intr-o familie au decedat mai multe persoane fara a fi spovedite sau impartasite, sa se dea de pomana si iconite, tamaie, carti de rugaciuni si altele. Se mai spune in popor ca femeile care ii vor cinsti in fiecare an pe Mosii de Vara nu vor imbatrani prea repede si isi vor pastra sufletul mereu tanar. [ send green star]
Lach V.	THE LINK, THERE ARE MANY NICE, INTERESTING TRADITIONS IN ROMANIA June 15, 2008 2:19 AM http://www.serbanfamily.net/sarbatori/anotimp/vara/mosii-de-vara/ [ send green star]
Lach V.	PENTECOSTE, TRADITIONS, I'LL TRY TO TRANSLATE, LATER, FORGIVE ME FOR THIS INCONVENIENT June 15, 2008 2:22 AM Rusaliile (Pogorarea Sfantului Duh)Postat de Romanul traditionalist in categoria Rusaliile No Comments Din aceeasi categorie: - Rusaliile (Pogorarea Sfantului Duh) La 50 de zile dupa Pasti se sarbatoreste minunea Pogorarii Duhului Sfant peste Apostolii Domnului, carora le-a dat putere divina, spre convertirea tuturor oamenilor. Sarbatoarea populara care se celebreaza in aceeasi zi cu Cincizecimea este dedicata indeosebi spiritelor mortilor, dar este si prilej al unor traditii ce se pierd in negura timpurilor. Aceasta minunata intamplare este relatata de Noul Testament astfel: “Si cand a sosit ziua Cincizecimii, erau toti impreuna in acelasi loc. Si din cer, fara de veste, s-a facut un vuiet, ca de suflare de vant ce vine repede, si a umplut toata casa unde sedeau ei. Si s-au umplut toti de Duhul Sfant si au inceput sa vorbeasca in alte limbi, precum le dadea lor Duhul a grai. Si erau in Ierusalim locuitori iudei, barbati cucernici, din toate neamurile care sunt sub cer. Si iscandu-se vuietul acela, s-a adunat multimea si s-a tulburat, caci fiecare ii auzea pe ei vorbind in limba sa“. Sfintii Parinti spun ca Duhul este Vistierul bunatatilor si Mangaietorul tuturor inimilor. Toate bisericile sunt casele Duhului Sfant, toate slujbele bisericesti sunt lucrarile Duhului Sfant, de aceea fara Duhul Sfant nu sunt nici Biserica, nici preotii, nici predica, nici slujba, nici tainele. Rusaliile reprezinta sarbatoarea populara care se celebreaza in aceeasi zi cu Cincizecimea, fiind dedicata indeosebi spiritelor mortilor. Crestinii praznuiesc Rusaliile timp de trei zile (in Moldova sau Transilvania), sapte zile (Muntenia si Oltenia) sau opt zile (in Banat). In mitologia romaneasca, Rusaliile – cuvant provenit din latinescul “rosalia“ (sarbatoarea trandafirilor) – sunt considerate femei fabuloase din categoria Ielelor, fiicele lui Rusalim Imparat. In “Description Moldaviae“, Dimitrie Cantemir numea Ielele “nimfe ale aerului, indragostite cel mai des de tinerii mai frumosi“. Nu se cunoaste originea acestui mit, “iele“ nefiind un nume, ci pronumele personal feminin “ele“, rostit popular. Acest mit a fost suprapus ulterior peste sarbatoarea crestina postpascala a Cincizecimii si devenita Duminica Rusaliilor. Potrivit traditiei, Ielele sunt fecioare frumoase, imbracate in alb, fecioare batrane, spirite sau duhuri rele si locuiesc prin paduri neumblate si neatinse de om, prin vazduh ori prin ostroave pustii. Rusaliile sunt mereu insotite de lautari, danseaza mereu si intind mese pe iarba. Petrec si danseaza mirific, insa muritorii nu au voie sa le vada. Daca sunt zarite de un muritor sau daca, din greseala, cineva calca pe locul pe care au dansat (unde iarba ramane arsa), acesta se imbolnaveste foarte grav de o boala numita, in limbaj popular, “luat de Rusalii”. Iar de boala Ielelor se poate scapa doar prin descantec ori prin intrare in hora Calusarilor. In unele zone se spune ca Ielele ursesc copiii la nastere si prezic moartea oamenilor. Ca sa se fereasca de duhurile rele, oamenii isi impodobesc locuintele cu leustean, tei, usturoi, dar incearca si sa imbuneze spiritele mortilor cu ofrandele specifice, pe care le ofera in Sambata Mosilor, ce precede sarbatoarea Rusaliilor. De Rusalii, tinerii taie crengute de tei, cu care impodobesc gospodaria. In popor exista credinta ca Teiul de Rusalii este foarte util: cand ploua vara cu piatra, se arunca afara cate o crenguta de tei uscat, crezand ca astfel ploaia va inceta. Se mai spune ca in noaptea de Rusalii infloreşte feriga si cine o are in casa ii va aduce noroc. [ send green star]
Lach V.	SEE THE CLIPS, MAGIC.... June 15, 2008 2:29 AM DANSUL IELELOR, IZMELE VAZDUHULUI, CODRILOR SI APELOR … RUSALIILE ! Posted on iunie 15, 2008 by sfinx667 DANSUL IELELOR, IZMELOR VAZDUHULUI, CODRILOR SI APELOR … RUSALIILE ! Rusaliile, cunoscute in mitologia romaneasca sub denumirea de ” Ielele “, fecioare zanatice, zburdalnice, vesele, se spune ca le iau oamenilor mintile. Aceste fapturi fabuloase sunt inzastrate cu puteri magice, de seductie, salasuiesc in vazduh, munti, hauri, stanci, pesteri, paduri si codrii, pe malul apelor in hatisuri si luminisuri. Pe timpul noptii, in lumina blanda, complice si tainica a Lunii, Rusaliile se scalda goale in izvoare, ape, cascade, despletite, dezlantuite si vesele. Sunt temute mai ales dansurile Ielelor, si din vremuri indepartate se cunoaste ca dansul lor este Hora Ielelor, ele adorand sa danseze cu sanii goi in cerc, avand parul despletit, clopotei la glezne, picioare, si purtand valuri subtiri, transparente, dansul lor fiind unul magic, bogat in taine si simboluri de neinteles pentru muritori . In mitologie si in folclor, Ielele sunt descrise ca fiind femei voluptoase , zburdalnice, nemuritoare, si, se cunoaste ca sunt rele insa nu malefice. Ielele nu fac rau celor ce le ” respecta ” aparitia, dansul, evitandu-le, pastrand distanta. Devin rele numai daca sunt provocate, ofensate sau daca dansul lor este privit, atunci, se razbuna pe ” vinovat ” luandu-i mintile definitiv. Ele, Rusaliile, pedepsesc si pe acei oameni, femei si barbati care lucreaza in aceasta Zi a Dansului lor, si nu o pretuiesc si sarbatoresc cum se cuvine. Acestia, sunt ridicati in vazduh, chinuiti, invartiti de trei ori in aer intr-un vartej nebunatic si apoi sunt zmintiti si azvarliti la pamant . Rusaliile, Ielele, au atributele unor Nimfe, Elfe, Sirene, Naiade … nu li se cunoaste numele, numele lor este tainic si inaccesibil si de aceea au fost inlocuite cu simboluri atributive : ” Fetele Codrilor ” , ” Imparatesele vazduhului ” , ” Maiestrele ” , ” Izmele Pesterilor si padurilor ” , Rusaliile , ” Fetele lui Rusalin Imparat “, ” Elfele padurilor si grotelor “, ” Ielele noptilor magice “, etc . Remediul cunoscut pentru imbolnavirea unui suflet care a privit ” Dansul Ielelor ” ce i-au luat mintile, singurul leac se pare ca ar fii ” Dansul Calusarilor ” , dans pastrat din vechimi, si care urmareste sa indeparteze vraja picurata peste cel sedus, sa ” fugareasca ” ielele …. In vremuri indepartate, calusarii, barbatii care umblau singuri noaptea, drumetii prinsi de magia noptii de Rusalii calatorind, purtau la brau usturoi, frunze de tei sau nuc, fire de busuioc, si, cine stie ce alte ierburi de leac si indepartare a puterii misterioase a Ielelor . Se mai spune si ca, nu era de dorit, nu era bine, sa te prinda noaptea in Noaptea Tainica a Dansului Ielelor, nici la rascruci de drumuri, nici la marginea padurii, nici in munti, nici pe malul intunecat al apelor … multi din cei care isi ” inganau ” pasii cu aceasta noapte magica, intalneau dansul ielelor si isi pierdeau mintile … Se spune ca drumetii curajosi care se avantau , se incumetau la drum, priveau dansul ielelor si, acestea ii pedepseau, ridicandu-i si ducandu-i la distanta mare de drumul lor, departe de casa si de lume, le pierdeau mintile si amintirile, si acestia rataceau apoi mereu, fara a mai gasi rostul, cine sunt, unde se duc … zminteala lor e rodul razbunarii Rusaliilor pentru a fi fost sfidate si nu temute si respectate cum s-ar cuveni … Sibilla Poesis [ send green star]
Lach V.	CLICK, PLEASE, HERE June 15, 2008 2:31 AM DANSUL IELELOR, IZMELE VAZDUHULUI, CODRILOR SI APELOR … RUSALIILE ! [ send green star]
Lach V.	June 15, 2008 2:43 AM Singurele lucruri reale, singurele lucruri pe care le ducem cu noi până la urmă sunt propriile noastre sentimente, dragostele noastre, patemile noastre, urile şi adversităţile noastre. Mă-ntreb: noi, la capătul vieţii noastre, ce-am lăsa în afară? Bănuiesc că putem lăsa nişte sentimente. Mai puţin de ură, întrucâtva de patemi, dar… de dragoste mai ales. Nichita Stanescu Unde esti? Mi te-arati si nu mi te arati; te aud si nu te aud; te simt si nu te simt. Si totusi te cunosc, te stapanesc. ( Nichita Stanescu ) Nu poţi să vezi zâne dacă nu eşti zănatic. [ send green star]
Lach V.	sanziene June 15, 2008 3:08 AM Main Menu » Content Forum Information page Log in Users on-line:1 (0 logged) "Sanzienele" Folk Traditions The habits linked to Sanziene are far away in time! Only the Roman names have remained: Sanziana from "Sancta Diana" this habit being still celebrated in Transylvania or Slave name as "Dragaica" has remained, being celebrated in Muntenia & Oltenia. This celebration is on the 24th of June - the same day when Saint Joan the Baptist has been born- and it has been kept as a fascinating mixture of Christianity and Paganism and Witchery. The young girls can find out their Destiny washing at dawn with the dew from the flowers. Sanzienele are yellow flowers with a pleasant smell. These flowers are picked by the girls and placed at doors, doorsteps and windows for protection and keeping away the malefic forces bringing luck and wealth. Many of these flowers are brought to the chuch to become sacred and to keep away the Evil Fairies from the woods called "Rusaliile". Future Marriage Predictions This Celebration is not just for protection but also for future marriage predictions: The cross-shaped flowers for the men and the circle- shaped flowers for the girls are thrown on the roof of the house. If they remain on the roof is the sign of wedding, if not there is an extra time to wait for this. The future husband can also appear in their dream and if the girls wear these flowers in their hair will become more attractive and loving. The ones who are eager to marry (men or girls) are praying during the night of Sanziene (23rd / 24th of June) and they dance in the Sun' direction. Between Myth and Legend Sanziana is also a flower, a substitute of the agrarian goddess who bears the same name that plays an important part in the magic rituals and customs that take place on the 24th of June. Wearing a coronet made of Sanziene, a virgin plays the role of the goddess of crops during the agrarian dance called Dragaica's dance. A coronet of Sanziene hung up from windows, gate pillars, land marks and cemetery crosses protects people, tombs and cornfields from evil forces; thrown on the roofs of houses and barns it predicts what will happen to the person who made it during the following year. On the other side, a girl that puts a blossomed Sanziana on the Sanziene night under her pillow will dream her predestined husband. If a woman wears it on her waist she will not have a backache during harvest. If it will be worn by young girls or wives on their hair or bosom it will make them more attractive and loving. Sanziana has also become an important agricultural reference point due to its unique ability to blossom during the longest of the year. This amazing flower is also supposed to have powerful healing abilities. Another meaning to the word Sanziene would be that of fantastic beings that form Dragaica' s procession (Dragaica = agrarian goddess who is celebrated on the day of summer solstice when the flower that bears her name blossoms; probably taken from Greek mythology where she is called Demeter), while in other regions they represent young virgins that have been kidnapped by dragons and taken to their palaces, places where no man has ever stepped foot. During the night of Sanziene (23rd / 24th of June) while they float trough the air or walk on earth, they sing and dance, make married women more fertile, help animals breed, spray cures and smell on flowers, heal diseases, they end suffering and protect the fields from hail and storms. It is said that if anyone sees their dance, he/she will go crazy. Along with other traditional holidays, Sanziene day represents more than a simple agrarian holiday, it is one of the few days with a true mystical meaning, depending on the area in which it is celebrated. We must not forget that Sanziene day is one of the few Romanian holidays left untouched. 06/24/05 - Claudia Slujitoru [ send green star]
Lach V.	M0NTHLY CALENDER OF TRADITIONS June 16, 2008 2:55 AM I LIKE THE JUNE IN ROMANIA, THERE IS SO MUCH MISTERY, FASCINATION IN THE TRADITIONS OF THIS Month, ESPECIALLY, FOR ME S A N Z I E N E L E, i wrote about from them, and there is also , was on june 3 CALUSARII TRADITION: *CALUSARII - RUSALIILESÂNZÂIENELE* 3 IUNIE sus la index 24 IUNIE SÂNZÂIENELE** Moment crucial al anului, solstitiul de vara, care coincide si cu marea sarbatoare religioasa a Sfântului Ioan Botezatorul, prilejuieste celebrarea Sânzâienelor in ziua de 24 iunie. In aceasta perioada majoritatea plantelor sunt in plina floare, Sânzâienele fiind ziua in care femeile, imbracate in haine de sarbatoare, se duc sa culeaga ierburi de leac necesare pentru tot anul. Sub numele de Sânzâiene sau Dragaice, folclorul românesc desemneaza niste fapturi fantastice, frumoase dar nemilostive, care bântuie prin ogoare, lunci si câmpuri. In noaptea de Sânzâiene, noapte cu virtuti magice, exista un anume moment in care toate stihiile stau in cumpana. Un moment de liniste in care se realizeaza un contact intre lumea noastra si "lumea cealalta". In aceasta clipa, pentru câtiva se pot deschide "portile cerului". Se crede ca Sânzâienele incing hore ametitoare iar plantele culese in aceste momente pentru leac sunt mai eficiente. Folosind practici divinatorii, tinerii isi afla viitorul, aruncând coronite alcatuite din flori galbene de sânzâiene pe coamele caselor. In functie de felul in care acestea se anina de acoperis sau cad, ei pot sa afle ce le rezerva destinul. Se spune de asemenea ca animalele se strâng si stau la sfat. Cine le pândeste le poate intelege graiul si poate afla multe taine. In aceasta noapte, intre ceasurile 10 si 12 se spune ca apare floarea de feriga, alba si stralucitoare, care aduce celui ce o culege mare noroc. Duhuri nevazute pazesc cu strasnicie aceasta floare si iti trebuie mult curaj pentru a o dobândi dintr-o padure indepartata unde nu se aude cântec de cocos. Exista de asemeni obiceiul unui scaldat ritual pentru pastrarea sanatatii. Locuri anume, ape din salbaticie sunt alese pentru acest lucru. Fetele, imbracate de sarbatoare isi aleg pe cea mai frumoasa dintre ele si o insotesc cu alai pe ogoare. Impodobite cu coronite de flori si spice, joaca hore pe câmp si la intrarea in sate pentru a aduce belsug si a feri holdele de paguba. Atotputernicia soarelui de la solstitiu se celebreaza prin focurile de Sânziene, aprinse pe locul cel mai ridicat. Incinsi cu brâuri de pelin, oamenii se rotesc in jurul focului, apoi arunca aceste brâuri ca sa arda odata cu toate posibilele necazuri care ar fi sa vie. Perechile tinere, pentru a avea parte de o casatorie fericita sar de trei ori peste foc. Exista de asemeni credinta ca fata care va sari de noua ori peste foc isi va gasi flacaul pereche cu care se va marita pâna la sfarsitul anului si vor da nastere unor copii sanatosi. La final, o roata mare de foc e trimisa pe o panta, simbol al soarelui care se scurge odata cu vara, catre toamna. Este ziua in care floarea de sânziene este aninata la ferestre, la porti, la stresinile caselor pentru a-i apara pe oameni de duhurile rele. Roua de pe sânziene culeasa in aceasta zi se foloseste in bolile de ochi; planta intreaga se pune in scaldatorile copiilor debili; zeama este folosita impotriva frigurilor; pusa in rachiu vindeca hernia. Datorita proprietilor sale de a inchega laptele i se mai spune si Inchegatoare. Sarbatoarea aceasta, cu semnificatii mitico-magice este de origine pre-dacica. Cunoscuta si sub numele de Nedeia ea a fost transmisa romanilor de catre sacerdotiul geto-dac. Cunoscatori ai virtutilor magice ale acestui moment, constienti de puterea ascunsa a celor nevazute, românii continua si astazi sa marcheze prin datini stravechi ziua de 24 iunie- Sânzâienele dar si nasterea Sfântului Ioan Botezatorul. [ send green star]
Lach V.	HERE IS THE LINK OF THE CALENDER OF ROMANIAN TRADITIONS June 16, 2008 3:17 AM http://nouaromanie.ro/revista%20on-line_files/nr2-iunie2001/calend [ send green star]
Lach V.	I FOUND AGAIN SOMETHING ABOUT ' sanzienele' June 16, 2008 3:23 AM Main Menu »Content Forum Information page Log in Users on-line:1 (0 logged) "Sanzienele" Folk Traditions The habits linked to Sanziene are far away in time! Only the Roman names have remained: Sanziana from "Sancta Diana" this habit being still celebrated in Transylvania or Slave name as "Dragaica" has remained, being celebrated in Muntenia & Oltenia. This celebration is on the 24th of June - the same day when Saint Joan the Baptist has been born- and it has been kept as a fascinating mixture of Christianity and Paganism and Witchery. The young girls can find out their Destiny washing at dawn with the dew from the flowers. Sanzienele are yellow flowers with a pleasant smell. These flowers are picked by the girls and placed at doors, doorsteps and windows for protection and keeping away the malefic forces bringing luck and wealth. Many of these flowers are brought to the chuch to become sacred and to keep away the Evil Fairies from the woods called "Rusaliile". Future Marriage Predictions This Celebration is not just for protection but also for future marriage predictions: The cross-shaped flowers for the men and the circle- shaped flowers for the girls are thrown on the roof of the house. If they remain on the roof is the sign of wedding, if not there is an extra time to wait for this. The future husband can also appear in their dream and if the girls wear these flowers in their hair will become more attractive and loving. The ones who are eager to marry (men or girls) are praying during the night of Sanziene (23rd / 24th of June) and they dance in the Sun' direction. Between Myth and Legend Sanziana is also a flower, a substitute of the agrarian goddess who bears the same name that plays an important part in the magic rituals and customs that take place on the 24th of June. Wearing a coronet made of Sanziene, a virgin plays the role of the goddess of crops during the agra [ send green star]
Lach V.	adventures in romania June 16, 2008 3:27 AM Home Romanian tours Adventures in RomaniaAdventures in RomaniaCulture Trips, Special Trips, Event Trips, Adventures in Romania, Wine trips For the quotation of this trip please look into 2008 scheduled trips or send us an e-mail.Adventures in Romania Climbing is an activity where team work is essential. Practicing climbing requires communication between the members of the team. Both the trust in your partner, as well as your own strengths increase at the same time. The activities include mountaineering, climbing techniques and single rope tec more... Surdesti monastery In 1766, the master builder Ion Macarie built, for the Greek-Catholic community from Surdesti, the S .more... Traditions in August Eve On The Hill - Written by Mihai Eminescu Mountains Nedeia December - time of the most generous Santas The tenth month of the Roman calendar with the beginning of the year on the first March and the twel .more... Nedeia of the Mountains The sheep party December - time of the most generous Santas [ send green star]
Lach V.	the romanian 'calus' June 16, 2008 3:29 AM Hercules - Folklore Festival at Cerna The first week of August- Baile Herculane, Caras Severin Country The festival, also known as the „Folklore festival of the Settlements on the Cerna” is a part of a justified action meant to stimulate and turn to account popular creation in a folklore area lying between the Cerna and Mehedinti mountains. Amid the beautiful highland scenery of the resort of Baile Herculane (Herculane Baths), there takes place a real outpour of genuine songs and dances performed by artists from the rural Mehedintean settlements of Izverna, Prejna, Podeni, or from the places in Caras-Severin -Mehadia, Cornereva, Toplet, etc, well-known folklore centres boasting invaluable artistic treasures. The competition of the popular dancers and singers is preceeded by a number of assemblies of experts in local folklore, aimed or studying, theoretically and practically, natural links between tradition and contemporaneousness The Romanian Calus Last week of August, Saturday and Sunda - Slatina, Olt County For two days „The Calus ”, an ancient Romanian dance, the expession of the Romanian people`s artistic genius, of their energy, liveliness and spiritual nobility, the purified image of the millenary existence of the inhabitants on this territory appears in all its splendour at Slatina under aspects of an astonishing variety displayed with unparalleled art by the dancers from Osica, Vilcele, Balanesti, Colonesti, Priseaca, Icoana, Brincoveni, Izbiceni, Scornicesti, Radomiresti, Movileni (Olt County), from places in Teleorman, Vilcea, Arges, Dolj, Gorj, Hunedoara, Alba, Ilfov and Mehedinti counties. The folklore pageant which every year opens this real mini-Olympic competition of „calusari ” is in fact a charming review of the costumes of the calusari and of the distinct style of each separate team of dancers. Then come thrilling competitions of virtuosity, interupted now and again by solo dancers, some of whom are very old men, and even children who have inherited their parents` talent. Every edition also occasions interesting exhibitions of folk art objects and symposium attended by researchers who study this old and always young folk dance. Sapinta monastery Approximately 25km from Vadu Izei along county road Sight-Satu Mare lies the town of Sapanta. It was .more... Eve On The Hill - Written by Mihai Eminescu Lad's Day - a spring custom Mountains Nedeia Romanian wedding traditions The wedding is the most interesting family custom of all. It is also a complex custom which has vari .more... Nedeia of the Mountains December - time of the most generous Santas The maiden's fair on the Hen Mountain [ send green star]
Lach V.	romanian wedding traditions June 16, 2008 3:32 AM Hercules - Folklore Festival at Cerna The first week of August- Baile Herculane, Caras Severin Country The festival, also known as the „Folklore festival of the Settlements on the Cerna” is a part of a justified action meant to stimulate and turn to account popular creation in a folklore area lying between the Cerna and Mehedinti mountains. Amid the beautiful highland scenery of the resort of Baile Herculane (Herculane Baths), there takes place a real outpour of genuine songs and dances performed by artists from the rural Mehedintean settlements of Izverna, Prejna, Podeni, or from the places in Caras-Severin -Mehadia, Cornereva, Toplet, etc, well-known folklore centres boasting invaluable artistic treasures. The competition of the popular dancers and singers is preceeded by a number of assemblies of experts in local folklore, aimed or studying, theoretically and practically, natural links between tradition and contemporaneousness The Romanian Calus Last week of August, Saturday and Sunda - Slatina, Olt County For two days „The Calus ”, an ancient Romanian dance, the expession of the Romanian people`s artistic genius, of their energy, liveliness and spiritual nobility, the purified image of the millenary existence of the inhabitants on this territory appears in all its splendour at Slatina under aspects of an astonishing variety displayed with unparalleled art by the dancers from Osica, Vilcele, Balanesti, Colonesti, Priseaca, Icoana, Brincoveni, Izbiceni, Scornicesti, Radomiresti, Movileni (Olt County), from places in Teleorman, Vilcea, Arges, Dolj, Gorj, Hunedoara, Alba, Ilfov and Mehedinti counties. The folklore pageant which every year opens this real mini-Olympic competition of „calusari ” is in fact a charming review of the costumes of the calusari and of the distinct style of each separate team of dancers. Then come thrilling competitions of virtuosity, interupted now and again by solo dancers, some of whom are very old men, and even children who have inherited their parents` talent. Every edition also occasions interesting exhibitions of folk art objects and symposium attended by researchers who study this old and always young folk dance. Sapinta monastery Approximately 25km from Vadu Izei along county road Sight-Satu Mare lies the town of Sapanta. It was .more... Eve On The Hill - Written by Mihai Eminescu Lad's Day - a spring custom Mountains Nedeia Romanian wedding traditions The wedding is the most interesting family custom of all. It is also a complex custom which has vari .more... Nedeia of the Mountains December - time of the most generous Santas The maiden's fair on the Hen Mountain [ send green star]
Lach V.	June 16, 2008 3:35 AM Romanian wedding traditionsRomanian Traditions The wedding is the most interesting family custom of all. It is also a complex custom which has various traditional forms all over the country and combines economic, law, ritual and folkloric elements. The popular "show" is almost fabulous. The acts from the marriage foundation are ritual and ceremonial meant to bring prosperity, fecundity, happiness and social integration to the young family. In this moment the popular costume gains some specific significances and the act of the ceremony is composed from many customs: the well - wishing at the bride's gate, the dowry dance in the bride's yard and the parents forgiveness, then the wedding at the groom's house, the gifts and the bride's adorning.The musical repertoire is suitable: "the dowry dance", "the big dance", "three times around the table", "the bride's grief song", "the bride's ring dance", "and the big ring dance". MOLDOVA: Moldavian marriage is a bouquet of traditions and culture. People sit together and are served with food and wine. Traditional dances also take place. In Moldova, people speak of "wedding parties" instead of just "weddings,” The wedding ceremony itself isn’t the focus of the festivities; it can be a small, understated event leading up to the wedding party proper, usually an all-night celebration.Wedding ceremonies today are held at "casa mare" or House of happiness. The modern ceremony includes the old wedding custom of bowing to the parents as a token of gratitude and respect. The traditional wedding party is magnificent in its arrangement, and intense from the moral ethical point of view. The singing and dancing continues until the daybreak. At dawn everyone sits down for a minute and the bride is given a child to hold in her arms. According to tradition, the bride will then be sure to have a home full of children. The young husband then leads her to the threshold of their house. But before they step over the threshold the couple is showered with grain - a sign of prosperity. A Moldovian maxim says: "The person who has failed to build a home, to raise a son, to dig a well and to plant a tree has wasted his life". That's why the Moldovian villages are so green, the houses are so beautiful and you can see wells along the streets. MARAMURES: The wedding in Maramures has a unitary structure and as most important sequences, the asking-in-marriage, the "belief" (engagement) and the wedding. The secondary characters, but with a very important position within the ceremony are the "callers" to the wedding, the bridesmaids, the "socacita" (chief-cook), the "man with the larder", the musicians, the group of the lads and the wedding guests. Taken as a whole, the ceremony is simple. A trustful person of the groom's part is going to the bride to ask her in marriage on the groom's behalf (most of the time he gets an affirmative answer only the third time), then the girl's dowry is discussed and the date of the engagement is set. The way to the wedding and the wedding itself contain many preparations and ritual objects, each one with its own significance. A great deal of attention is paid to the details in dressing, arranging of the table and most of all, the orders and priorities. There will exist, for example, an order for entering and coming out of the church, in serving the wedding guests, etc. The rituals preceding every sequence or level represent the picturesque of the traditions. For example, on the night before the wedding (which is called "the flag evening") the "flagman ", accompanied by a group of lads and musicians goes to the groom's house with the flag. Here they start dancing a certain ritual "flag dance", with the adequate witty couplets. The clothing also deserves a very special attention. The bride will wear a white shirt, white skirt with a white apron over it. Over the shirt she will wear a woolen sleeveless sheepskin coat and a woolen thick fleecy overcoat, tied on the waist with a red belt. The groom's clothing is even simpler: hempen white shirt, the sleeveless woolen sheepskin coat, and the "large pants" (or in winter time the white woolen stretch pants). The body is tied up with a broad belt with six buckles containing the knife, the tobacco, the pipe, the moneybag and other necessary small things. As a last element, in his case he also wears clinkered boots. His only decorative objects are the hand sewn cuffs, a bag over his shoulders, and he sign for being a groom - the white artificial flowers on his chest. Emotional scenes for the relatives are the "forgiving" moments - when the bride and the groom ask for forgiveness from their parents on the account of possible former mistakes. When the groom is going for the bride, the godfather, the "flagman" and a great deal of the wedding guests accompany him. Of all the rituals met with at the wedding ceremony, the most interesting is the one of cleaning the cheeks of the groom and bride by the [ send green star]
Lach V.	romanian religious wedding June 16, 2008 4:00 AM http://s233.photobucket.com/albums/ee216/veraiconelach/?action=view&current=SeCununARobLDumnMiha.flv [ send green star]
Lach V.	June 16, 2008 4:09 AM http://s233.photobucket.com/albums/ee216/veraiconelach/?action=view&current=LegaturAPeVecie.flv [ send green star]
Lach V.	June 28, 2008 4:54 AM The sheep partyRomanian Traditions One of the most important field festivities of the Oas people is The Sheep Association, connected with the traditional activity of grazing, festivity which is celebrated in May and symbolizes the beginning of the spring and of the sheep’s grazing. The festivity takes place on the territory of the Certeze Village, but all the Oas people from the area come to join the others, thousand of people of the county, also guests from the country and from abroad. At the end of the week, the sheepfold and the shepherds are chosen, the sterile sheep are separated from the ones with milk, the sheep are milked and the milked is measured. The measuring is an exclusive masculine activity, the women participating only at lunch and dancing. After “the milk’s measuring”, the feast begins with dainties, withes and plum brandy, and continued with singing and dancing. After numerous practical activities (tsarinas’ shutting, sheepfolds’ building or repairing, lambs’ weaning, sheep’s and rams’ shearing) and judicial (the sheep owners’ association for the sheep’s completing, the sheep’s marking, the shepherds’ employment, the pasturing payment, etc), at The Sheep Association, they were measuring and notching on a deal board the milk from the sheep of every shepherd, and they were calculating the plenty cheese proper to the broke of the sheepfold.To obtain a higher quantity of milk at the ‘masuris’-measuring of the sheeps -, the owners used to go to the pasture and guard the sheeps themselves during the night of 22 to 23 of april and on the 23 of april they milked them. From the first milk of the sheepfold, they would prepare green ewe cheese, which would be shared between the owners of sheeps. The practical and juridical activities were accompanied by numerous ritual atcs destined to defend the sheepfold and the shepherds from the evil forces during summer: lightning the Living Fire, smoking the shepherds and the sheeps, driving away the witches who steal the growth of the milk – by yelling and making loud sounds, canceling the cuckoo’s power of stealing or spoiling the milk using magic « Cucu ! – Rasucu ! », purifying the sheeps and the sheep owners by sprinklilng them with holy water, the ritual bathing in the clean water of river or washing with the dew from the plants, preparing ritual foods, sacrificing the lamb, speaking magic formulas, etc. The Sheep Association ends with a beautiful peasants’ party where they eat typical foods (balmos, boiled in milk and with butter added, outlaw-style fried lamb, knot-shaped bread from Sangiorz, green ewe cheese from the firs milking), they sing and dance on shepherd songs. The custom is known, with it’s local variants and in different stages of evolution, by all sheep breeders. [ send green star]
Lach V.	June 28, 2008 4:55 AM [ send green star]
Lach V.	June 28, 2008 4:56 AM [ send green star]
Lach V.	BOBOTEAZA THE EPIPHANY January 12, 2009 5:35 AM Traditions across Europe-an eTwinning project“Science and technology revolutionize our lives, but memory, TRADITION and myth frame our response.” (Arthur Schlesinger Jr.) The Epiphany January 11, 2009 Filed under: Old traditions, Religious traditions — ivasil @ 11:00 pm The 6-th of January is the day the Orthodox Church celebrates the Baptizing of Christ (Boboteaza). It’s the day that ends the winter holidays that have started on Christmas Eve. On this day we recall the moment when Jesus Christ was christened in he water of Jordan. There are many beliefs and traditions about this day. For example, the Romanians hope this will be a very frosty day (and it actually is, inexplicably often), as they say that the frost and the snow bring good luck and welfare for the whole year and for everyone. By far, the most important tradition connected to this day is “The Blessing of the Water”, that takes place in different forms near a river, or even near a public fountain. A large number of believers attend to this ceremony, despite the frost. If the water is frozen, people cut an ice-hole, bring a table and make an ice cross while the priest celebrates the Mass. After this, young girls and boys wearing national costumes take icons, flags and candles fom the church and go to the water, followed by priests and everybody else. They all form half a circle around the table. The priest dips the cross three times into the water and blesses the water, turning it into holy water. In some regions he then throws the cross into the river and young boys jump in and recover it. Of course it is a great honour to be the one that did it. At the end of the prayer, everybody takes home some holy water, that is said to bring good luck, cure illnesses and never go bad, no matter how long you keep it. In the North region there is another tradition that Liliana and her kids might know more about, since it should also exist in their area. After the Blessing, young girls and boys go on a hill and start a big fire. They all sing and dance around it in a circle. As the fire slows down, they start to jump over it and through the smoke making wishes for good luck and good health. The two elements (water and fire) are thought to help each other’s purifying strength. All these traditions were initially conceived as ways to fight bad spirits that come on Earth as a new year begins. For us they are a symbol of the solidarity of people in our community and a melancholic sign that the winter holidays (with their smell of cinnamon and sponge cake) are coming to an end. The kids from 6C, School 92 Bucharest [ send green star]
Lach V.	VIDEO CLIPS ABOUT THIS EVENT IN ROMANIA January 12, 2009 5:41 AM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QQCSfV_dQY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_zU9p5Yl7g http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmM6PyrnG54 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tDyHWBGw1M [ send green star]
Lach V.	January 12, 2009 5:43 AM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT-fai1xFE8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDHqsG2FlQ8 [ send green star]
Lach V.	MARCH 1 MARTISOR February 23, 2009 4:48 AM Romanian traditions: Mărţişor Mărţişor is one of the best Romanian traditions, celebrated in the beginning of the Spring, on March 1st. The tradition’s name is the diminutive of March (in Romanian: Martie). The men offer to the women a talisman object also called Mărţişor, consisting of a jewel or a small decoration like a flower, an animal, a heart, tied to a red and white string. There are multiple symbols in this gift, but all of it have three common sense: revival, sensibility, and the care for the women. The gift is considered to bring good luck and wealth. Some consider the red as the symbol of the Spring, and the white for Winter, the tradition taking place right between the two seasons. I prefer the version in which the two colors represent the love and the sincerity. This symbols fit better with the early Spring flowers associated with this tradition, especially the snowdrops. There are archeological proves that the tradition is over 8 thousands years old. It was celebrated by Getas, and it is found in the celebration of Mars as the protector of the fertility and vegetation, as well as in the celebration of the Marsyas Silen god by the Dacians. The Dacian women use coins and little stones tied to red and white wool wires, for wealth and fertility. Similar traditions can be found in Balkans, especially in Bulgaria (the tradition is called Martenitsa - Мартеница, Macedonia and Albania. [ send green star]
Lach V.	February 23, 2009 4:49 AM Romanian traditions: Mărţişor Mărţişor is one of the best Romanian traditions, celebrated in the beginning of the Spring, on March 1st. The tradition’s name is the diminutive of March (in Romanian: Martie). The men offer to the women a talisman object also called Mărţişor, consisting of a jewel or a small decoration like a flower, an animal, a heart, tied to a red and white string. There are multiple symbols in this gift, but all of it have three common sense: revival, sensibility, and the care for the women. The gift is considered to bring good luck and wealth. Some consider the red as the symbol of the Spring, and the white for Winter, the tradition taking place right between the two seasons. I prefer the version in which the two colors represent the love and the sincerity. This symbols fit better with the early Spring flowers associated with this tradition, especially the snowdrops. There are archeological proves that the tradition is over 8 thousands years old. It was celebrated by Getas, and it is found in the celebration of Mars as the protector of the fertility and vegetation, as well as in the celebration of the Marsyas Silen god by the Dacians. The Dacian women use coins and little stones tied to red and white wool wires, for wealth and fertility. Similar traditions can be found in Balkans, especially in Bulgaria (the tradition is called Martenitsa - Мартеница, Macedonia and Albania. [ send green star]
Lach V.	PAINTING OF EGGS FOR EASTER.... April 13, 2009 2:27 AM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJCW1jg5uyA [ send green star]
Lach V.	OLD HABIT IN TRANSYLVANIA April 13, 2009 4:13 AM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ymcBZjQTFs [ send green star]
Lach V.	click on the link and check out June 08, 2009 5:57 AM http://www.ro-am.net/index.php?page=ro-traditions [ send green star]
Lach V.	CALUSUL, A MAGICAL DANCE WHICH IS DANCED ONLY ON June 08, 2009 7:48 AM Whitsuntide http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLM4Vo5Yq2s [ send green star]
Lach V.	A calendar containing the official, religious and traditional holidays June 22, 2009 7:16 AM A calendar containing the official, religious and traditional holidays with short descriptions of the popular customs on these occasions. v† 1st of January – New Year's Day and Saint Vasile’s Day. Popular tradition – large group of people go from house to house to greet the villagers. v† 6th of January – The Epiphany – The day when Jesus was baptized by Saint John. Religious tradition: the water is hallowed, the priests go in every house to prepare the households for the new year and a cross thrown in a river or lake and some young men are trying to find it and bring it back. Popular tradition: predictions of the weather and harvests of the new year. † 7th of January – Saint John’s Day 24th of January – 1859 Union Day – in this year Moldavia and Wallachia united in a single state v 24th of February – Dragobetele – Romanian correspondent of Saint Valentine’s Day. Popular tradition: boys and girls have to meet altogether in order to be involve all the year. v 1st of March – Mărţişor – the celebration of spring. Popular tradition: amulets with red-white thread are offered to women to were them for a few days. v 1st -9th of March - Babele (the Old Lady Days). Popular tradition: everyone choose one of these days; the weather in that day shows how the year is going to be for the person who chose that day. Source legend: as she was climbing a mountain, old lady Dochia threw one by one, day by day all 9 sheepskin coats she was wearing. In the last day, the 9th, she died and turned into a rock. v† 9th of March – Mucenicii – All Saints’ Day. Religious tradition: a special food is prepared, is recommended to drink 40-44 glasses of wine (one for every saint martyr) and in this day the gates of heaven are opened and the souls of the ones who passed away are among us. Popular tradition: this is the day of the vernal equinox (after the old calendar) and fires are set in every yard in order to purify the land and the lights help the sun to defeat the darkness. † 25th of March – The Good News – In this day, virgin Mary is announced that she will give birth to Jesus. † EASTER – holiday without a fix date – usually one week after the Catholic Easter. Religious tradition: special foods are prepared – especially using lamb and eggs are painted (with or without phytomorphic or zoomorphic motifs). The colors that are used are red, yellow, blue, green and black. The most important is red which symbolizes, Jesus’ blood when He was crucified. † 23rd of April – Saints George’s Day 1st of May – International Workers’ Day † 21st of May – Saint Constantine’s and Saint Hellen’s Day 1st of June – International Children’s Day v 24th of June – Sânzienele (Drăgaica) – Goddess of the wheat fields and married women. Popular tradition: girls are wearing coronets of flowers named Sânziana (Drăgaica) then throw them on the village houses to bring luck or to show if the girl who threw it gets married that year. † 15th of August – Holly Virgin Assumption † 8th of September - The birth of Virgin Mary † 14th of September - The Cross Day. Holiday dedicated to the gathering of the last remedying plants, rockets and others. People say that on this day the flowers complain on to another that they will dry up and also say that those that blossom after this date - the autumn crocus - belong to the dead. This holiday is the sign for the beginning of the gathering of the crops from the vineyards and of the nuts. 1st of December – National Day (1918 Union Day). In this year all Romanian provinces united in a single state named Romania (Moldavia, Wallachia, Transylvania, Bukovina, Bessarabia, Dobrudja) v† 25th of December – Christmas Day – celebration of the baby Jesus birth. Popular tradition: special foods are prepared (especially with pork). On Christmas Eve, and the next two days, young people go from house to house and sing carols with religious themes (the three Kings journey, the birth of baby Jesus) † 26th of December - the second Christmas Day [ send green star]
Lach V.	CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS June 22, 2009 7:18 AM In Romania, the winter feasts start on 24th December and finish on 7th December. Their central events occur during the Christmas Days, New Year and Epiphany. The most important feature of these feasts is their rich repertoire of customs, traditions and beliefs. Everything that happens over this period must have an augural significance. Children go from house to house singing Christmas carols. The traditional gifts which they naturally expect to receive include fruit, nuts and knot-shaped bread. Another interesting custom is the Star (Steaua). This is a large star made of coloured glossy paper, lighted inside like a lantern, which school children, in groups of three carry in the evening of Christmas from house to house, singing: The Star is rising high / Like a hidden mistery/ The Star shines brightly/ And to the world announces/ That today the pure/ The Immaculate Virgin Mary/ Gives birth to Messiah/ In that famous city/ Known by the name of Bethlehem. Here is the text in Romanian: Steaua sus rasare/ Ca o taina mare/ Steaua straluceste/ Si lumii vesteste/ Ca azi preacurata, cea nevinovata, Fecioara Maria/ Naste pe Mesia/ In tara vestita/ Bethlehem numita. Click here to see our schoolmates' artworks related to Christmas and New Year. top Another custom practiced by children individually on New Year's Day is the "sorcova". This is a small branch or stick adorned with differently coloured artificial flowers, called sorcova with which they touch rhythmically and lightly their elders, while congratulating them on the occasion and wishing them a long life and a Happy New Year: Sorcova, the merry sorcova/Long may you live/Long may you flourish/ Like apple trees/ Like pear trees/ In midsummer/ Like the rich autumn/ Overflowing with abundance/ Hard as steel/ Fast as an arrow/ For many years to come/ Happy New Year! Here is the text in Romanian: Sorcova, vesela/ Sa traiti/ Sa-mbatraniti/ Ca un mar/ Ca un par/ Ca un fir de trandafir/ Tare ca piatra/ Iute ca sageata/ Tare ca fieru'/ Iute ca otelu'/ La anu' si la multi ani! top Here is the procedure that I've learned from my grandma who is very skilful at painting Easter eggs. 1. Wash the eggs with salt; 2. Boil them for 3-4 minutes; 3. Use the cooker and prepare a mug of wax from bees; 4. Draw lines on the eggs; 5. Use wax to protect the colour; 6. Put the eggs into a pan with yellow paint; 7. Let them dry; 8. Draw crosses, stars or biblical scenes with wax on the yellow colour; 9. Fill the shapes with colour and put wax on them again; 10. Put the eggs into a pan with cherry paint; 11. Take the eggs out, dry them and put them into a wire basket on the cooker. The wax will get warm and you'll wipe it away. 12. Polish the eggs with a soft towel 13. Enjoy your Easter! [ send green star]