Traditions and Customs in Romania - 4023 Words

Romania is situated in the southeast of Europe, to the north of the Balkan Mountains. It has a population of about 23 million inhabitants. Most of its people are of Roman origin-in fact, â€Å"Romania† means â€Å"land of the Romans†. But there are also Hungarians, Germans, Serbs, Tartars, and Russians who make up the rest of the population. The official language is Romanian, the only language of Latin origin in Eastern Europe. Brought up to respect religious traditions, the majority of Romanians is Orthodox (nearly 87 percent). Protestants are the next largest denomination at 6.8 percent with Catholics making up 5.6 percent of the population. A small number of Muslims also live in Romania. Romanian Orthodox Church, in common with all Eastern†¦show more content†¦The white blouse is also a basic item in male costume, tightened at the waist with a woolen sash or leather belt. This is usually worn with narrow, white trousers. A typical piece of headgear for men i s the hat made of lambskin, black felt, or straw-depending on the time of year and the local tradition. Romania preserved a significant number of traditional customs and celebrations manifest within the strong community of the village. Ceremonies dedicated to the significant moments of ones life (birth, wedding, death), to natural cycles (such as solstice, equinox, harvest, springtime) or to the big religious celebrations, follow the same archaic mythical rituals they did a thousand years ago. Even though preformed in 21st century in villages marked by modernization, such traditional rites havent diminish their prestige. They still provide viable answers to how to live in harmony with the environment and community, that the present social and economical system cannot furnish. During winter solstice, when the sun is weak and frost and dryness take over, Romanian peasants conceived ceremonies to help the Sun and Nature to overcome this temporary crisis. For 12 days between Christmas and St. John on January 7th, all Romanian villages have specific celebrations, starting with childrens caroling on Christmas eve: â€Å"Mos Ajun† or â€Å"Buna Dimineata† (Good Morning). Well spread throughoutShow MoreRelatedCelebrating Easter in Romania Essay527 Words   |  3 PagesOne of the most important religious holidays in Romania is Easter, the annual festival commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated on a Sunday on changeable dates between March and April. Usually it is a week after the Catholic Easter. In Romania, the Christian Church says that Jesus was born during the winter solstice and his death followed by his resurrection happened during the spring equinox. 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