THE IMPORTANCE OF ROMAN ELEMENT IN ROMANIAN TRADITIONAL CUSTOMS: RUSALII HOLIDAY AND CĂLUŞ DANCE IN OLTENIA

Abstract

The Roman influence can be traced in many popular customs and traditions in Oltenia de sub Munte . The passing of time has often changed their pattern, adapted their historical present, but it has never changed their essence, and here we refer to that Latin DAN that has always complemented our origin, creating the base of our formation as a people, as natio. Preserved over the centuries, wearing Christian attire, several popular holidays, marked both in the religious and the popular calendars, maintain their importance in the collective consciousness of the Romanians, both in rural and urban areas. For instance, Rusaliile, an important Christian feast, most observed in its popular version unrelated to the Descent of the Holy Spirit, was declared “public holiday” two years ago. The first two days of Rusalii are non-working days. Definitely, it was the importance of the Christian event that mattered for this decision, but the Romanians, especially those in rural areas, actually do not work these nine sacred days in the popular calendar, for fear of vindictive deities of the sky. Closely related to Rusalii, as the sole method of exorcism and cure of the evil caused by Zâne, Mânioase, Iele, Frumoase , in Oltenia de sub Munte one can find the magical dance of Căluşarii, simply known as Căluş. It is interesting to note that while Căluş dance has been preserved especially by the artistic representation and its original purpose of cure and comfort has almost disappeared, the Rusalii, and here we refer strictly to the popular version of the feast, have maintained almost intact their functions: the restrictions imposed by them must be observed religiously, otherwise the unfaithful will be afflicted by great trouble. These unpredictable and evil deities “hit” and “cripple” the luckless ones who dare to come out their way the summer nights. The hearts of the Romanians are ingrained with this ancestral fear.