Balkan countries celebrate winter with customs and traditions
By Paul Ciocoiu for Southeast European Times
The http://www.wvwnews.net/story.php?id=83, with their diverse and tumultuous historical backgrounds, are arguably one of the last havens in Europe for ethnologists. In this region, an enormous variety of unique customs can be witnessed firsthand, many of them dating back to times immemorial. Of all seasons, winter is particularly rich in this regard. Many winter customs in Romania, for example, can be traced to Roman times. For example, Christmas carols sometimes invoke Traian, the Roman emperor who conquered Dacia in 106-108 AD. Others feature the chorus “Leru-I Doamne, ler,” which comes from the old Latin words Holeluiah Domine.
Also linked to the Roman era is the “goat tradition”. Surrounded by children and revelers, a carved wooden goat mask is carried on a long pole. The bearer manipulates the pole to open and close the mouth as he dances, to the accompaniment of flute music. This tradition, which has variants – featuring different animals — across the country, is reminiscent of pagan celebrations. On New Year’s Day, children invoke the god of vegetation by blessing family members and neighbours with a bouquet known as the “Sorcova”, a symbol of fertility and prosperity. In return, the children receive cakes, money and other treats.
The same day, young people dress up as ploughmen and join a procession featuring a decorated plough. Again, this goes back to Roman times, having its origin in a ritual aimed at ensuring protection of crops. These and other rituals demonstrate the way Romanians have integrated many ancient customs into an Orthodox Christian culture.
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