Romanian Festivals and Traditions

Carols
Colindele

The most important custom during winter festivals is the carol.
On Christmas' Eve only children go caroling. This custom is different from the proper caroling, where only the grown-ups participate. After the 23/24 midnight of December the children go caroling from one house to another. They get sweets, fruit and even money. In some parts of the country there is a custom named "Icon walking" that symbolizes Jesus birth.
The real caroling happens on Christmas evening and night. The waits -young and mature people - gather in well-organized groups and they choose a leader. When they are in the yard of a house they perform their repertory to the host. The songs are always accompanied by dance. When they are over the host invites the waits in the house for a special meal and presents.

"Do you receive the pretty star,
Pretty and so very bright?
It has appeared on the Earth
Just like God thought it would be right,
And it could be seen on high,
Just like me did, in the sky."

Before the "Star Carols" on the Christmas Eve, children used to sing the following introduction:

"Good morning, Christmas Eve,
Do you give us some gifts, do you?"

The host was giving them nuts, apples, pears, and even coins. The children also sing a carol related to the "myth of the eternal return:

"Great' the night of present night
And it's not the present night
But the night of Christmas Eve,
Christmas Eve of the old times
When the Holy Son was born,
Holy Son on this good Earth…"

"Rain is warm and bathes Him,
Snow keeps falling, doesn't touch Him…"

The Romanian carols have an inner universe in which it can depict one of the Romanian nation's spiritual dimensions, its insight into time and space.

Obiceiul cel mai important din apropierea Crãciunului este colindul.
În ajunul Crãciunului colindãtorii sunt copii. Acest obicei se deosebeste astfel de colindatul propriu-zis, la care participã doar tinerii si oamenii maturi. Dupã miezul noptii de 23/24 decembrie, copiii colindã din casã în casã. Ei primesc ca daruri dulciuri, fructe si chiar bani. În unele pãrti ale tãrii existã un obicei numit "Umblatul cu icoana", care semnificã nasterea lui Iisus. Adevãratul colindat se desfãsoarã în seara si noaptea de Crãciun. Colindãtorii -tineri si oameni maturi- se adunã în cete bine organizate si îsi aleg un conducãtor. Odatã intrati în curte acestia îsi deapãnã repertoriul gazdelor.
Cântecele sunt întotdeauna însotite de dansuri. Când ele au luat sfârsit gazda îsi invitã colindãtorii în casã pentru un ospãt si daruri.

Oana Sãcãlus
“Duiliu Zamfirescu” School, Focsani
Romania