Today the production of folklore does not have any chance against the society development.

That’s why, it is important that we put thee customs on paper, not to get into anonymity. A
nation that does not know its history, will not know its future or how to arrange his future. But
now it is time that also the other nations shall know thee Romanian customs, not only the
Romanian nation. The legends, poems, beliefs, superstitions, celebrations and the folk dances
that are ruling during the customs are very important to the Romanian literature and
mythology. So I will begin with Christmas, to go on with customs during the whole year and
to come again to Christmas.
At first the Christian Church knew just Easter. Christmas is known from the 2 nd century. The
birth of Jesus Christ is called “Crăciun” by the Romanians, that is specific for the Romanian
nation. Most of the linguists say that the word comes from the Latin word “crastnium”, others
say from “colatio”, or from the Latin word “incarnatio” or “creationis”. Till to the 19 th century
the decoration of the Christmas-tree was known only in the German settlements in Romania
and then the Romanian took this custom over, after the Second World War. It is the custom
that the people go from house to house to sing carols and the people give the waits apples,
nuts, pears and knot-shaped bread. In the afternoon the adults are going caroling and in the
morning and during the day the children. It is said that we do not have to eat anything during
the Christmas night, till the next day, if you want to stay healthy and to be lucky the whole
year. During this time of the year the Romanians are slaughtering swines. But it is not good to
slaughter a swine on Monday or on Friday. After the slaughter is the “pomana porcului”
organized (it is organized a party and here are invited friends, neighbours, to taste the pork
products). Also the 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st December are religious holidays, when it is not
allowed to work, because you will have a bad year.
Another important religious holiday is New Year’ Eve or “Sfântu Vasile” (Saint Basil). It is
one of the important religious holidays of the Romanian nation. On this day the “Cete de
feciori” ( it means: student’s duelling society) are going caroling and with the “Pluguşor”.
Some of the old people shape the onions and read the future or do it from the ember. Some
girls, who want to dream their future husband, take from the bell of a “plugar” some sweet
basil and put it under the tongue, when they are going to sleep.
An important custom on this day is “Pluguşorul”(plug means plough, traditional procession
with a decorated “plough”). The “Cete de Feciori” are going from house to house with bells,
the noise of whip blow and with the “buhai” (buhăit, buhăială means roaring, drum caused to
boom by pulling a tuft of hair attached to it). During the Pluguşor a lad is telling, in verse
form, about the plough with 12 buffaloes, the sow of the wheat, its harvesting and grinding,
and also about the beautiful miller’s girl. The “Pluguşor” tells about the most important
occupation of the whole Romanian nation: the ploughing. The lads are going with it till
midnight. After that they are wishing each other happy New Year, share brotherly the gifts
that they had got and go home.
Another interesting custom is “Vasilca” (the name that the gypsies gave to the tamed bear).
The gypsies take the head of a pig, decorate it with colored paper, that is carried on a tray by
them and sing the song “Vasilca”.
Another custom is “Sorcova” (bouquet used for New Year’s wishes). Children between 5 and
12 years are going around to wish happy New Year, while touching the people lightly with the
“Sorcova” (a stick, that is decorated with colored paper). At first it was known just in
Muntenia, but now it is known in the whole country.
After Christmas and New Year’s Eve, another important religious holiday is “Boboteaza”
(Epiphany). But most of the Romanians and especially those from Transilvania call it the
“Baptize of the God”. At this day the house-lady puts different dishes on the table and nobody
eats, before the priest comes to spray them with holy water. So the priest goes from house to
house with the crucifix in the right hand and sweet basil in the left hand. When he comes into
the house the members of the family go to kiss the crucifix. Then the man goes with the priest
to his neighbours’ house. Before the priest leaves the people give him a knot-shaped bread
and some of them, invite him to eat with them. It is said that if a girl or a boy slip before the
priest bless the water, they will be lucky the whole year. Around Sibiu all the men, who are
named Ion are thrown into the water.
Eastern is the most important religious holiday of the Romanian nation. The Good Friday is
called also the Friday of the Eggs, because on this day there are coloured the eggs and some
of them by hand. In the evening before Eastern the Romanians are surrounding 7 times the
church with burning candles. On the Easter night the people take part at the service the whole
night. In the morning they are bringing bread slip in wine at home. It is good, if you put on
Easter morning the hand on an iron object, because then you will have luck.
During the “Săptămâna Luminată” (the enlightened week), it is not allowed to work. It is said
that, if you give holy water to a sick man/women on the Friday, called “Izvorul Tămăduirii”,
of this week, he/she will get healthy.
Also during “Rusalii” (Whitsuntide) you are not allowed to work.
On the 15th August it is celebrated “Măria-Mare” (the big Saint Marie) and on this day you
fast. On the 8th September it is celebrated “Măria-Mică” (the little Saint Marie). The couples,
who can’t have children, go to pray in the church on this day, to have children. On the 30 th
November it’s celebrated “Sfântul Andrei” (Saint Andrew). It said, that in this night the
demons and the demonic spirits come to the people and that’s why you must eat garlic.
On the 6th December there is “Sfăntul Niculaie” (Saint Nicholas), when the children are very
happy, because they get gifts.
On the 20th December is “Ignat” (Saint Ignatius). On this day most of the Romanians
slaughter swine. It is said that in this night the swine dreams his knife. And so it ends a year
and Christmas is knocking again at the door.