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Dance of the Călușari -Jocul călușarilor |
For the invocation of fertility,
but also with an aim of the healing of certain diseases, the dance of the
Călușari is danced at Whitsuntide. It was also described for the first
time by Dimitrie Cantemir, and known in olden times in all the regions
of Romania. It has completely disappeared in Moldavia but not without leaving
certain traces in some men's dances of the region, while in other regions
it was put aside and replaced by a drawing-room dance.
Generally the custom has
the following aspect: after having bound themselves by oath to dance together
for a certain numbers of years and to respect the discipline imposed by
tradition, the dancers begin their rehearsals. The team, under leadership
of a captain, is generally composed of an old number of dancers. One of
them is masked. He is nowadays the buffoon of the troupe, but it seems
that formerly he had a much more important role. The Călușari wear a special
festive costume and hold sticks, while the ''mut'' carries a sword in his
hand. According to Dimitrie Cantemir, in his time all the Călusari held
swords. The troupe carriers a banner: a pole adorned with coloured ribbons
and a bunch of wormwood and garlic at its top, healing herbs sought by
the onlookers. The dance of the "Călus'' is performed during a whole week,
White week or "Călus week" as it is also called, during which the team
also visits some neighbouring localities.
The dance composed of a circular
promenade of the dancers, which alternates with more and more intricate
figures, has special dynamic and is extremely spectacular.
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