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Romania Culture and traditions Romania

 
 
Area : 91699  sq.mi - Population 22600000 hab.
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Culture and traditions Romania

 Traditions and customs

Despite the damage caused by collectivisation and systemisation under Ceausescu's dictatorship, the Romanian countryside has remained bucolic and popular traditions have remained, still displaying great liveliness. Rural costumes, woollen or linen blouses, skirts, coats, bonnets and waistcoasts, richly embroidered and ornate with black and red geometric patterns on a white background are still worn at fairs, weddings or festivals. Rural handicraft is also rich and creative and offers an abundant production of rugs, carved wood, framed icons and decorated eggs. Popular songs and dances, such as doinas and haidouks, hora, capra, brâul and calusarii to the sound of violins, accordions, clarinets, harmonicas and panpipes, are the expression of old Romanian folk's beliefs and legends. Some are linked to family life, others to pastoral life, a reflection of ancient rites aiming at fertilising the soils. For the New Year, colinda consists in children going from house to house wishing a happy new year by singing and offering wreaths. On March 1st (martisor), men offer women a little good luck charm hanging on red and white string, so as to attract the blessings of witches. The most pleasant custom in Romania is the villagers' sense of hospitality, generously inviting you to share their meal or have a drink of tzuica, a plum based brandy. Everyone clinks glasses and says ?noroc!' Finally, the Romany community, whose assimilation is still difficult, has a population of approximately 500,000, although the figures are not very precise. Some groups have remained nomadic, and you can sometimes see their camps along the roadsides. Two rival sovereigns, Florin Cioaba and Iulian Radulescu, who both live in Sibiu, are contesting the sovereignty over the various Romani clans.

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