Romanian people have been around for centuries and have unique cultures and traditions that make them special. From the night of Sanziene to the wedding in Romania, many customs and beliefs make their culture unique. Let’s take a look at Framey’s 15 Funny Romanian Traditions and Celebrations!
Introduction to Romanian People
Romanian people are an ethnic group native to Romania and Moldova. They are also known as Daco-Romanians and are generally believed to be descended from the ancient Dacians. Romanian people have a rich culture and many traditions that are observed in Romania today. They are known for their hospitality and their love of the outdoors.
Romanian people are also known for their love of music, dance, and lively conversations.
1. Night of Sanziene: about imaginary beings from Romanian folk mythology
If you are familiar with Romanian folklore, then you have heard of Sanziene. In Romania, Sanziene is celebrated on the night of June 24th and is a celebration of imaginary beings from Romanian folk mythology. On this night, people make offerings to the Sanziene fairies and often burn incense to honor them. It’s believed that the Sanziene fairies bring good luck and blessings to those who keep them.
The night of Sanziene is also a time for people to celebrate their love for one another. It’s a time of joy and happiness, and people often gather together to share stories, sing and dance. On this special night, the Sanziene fairies can grant wishes, so it’s a very popular tradition among Romanians.
2. Mucenici: about how the Romanians eat Saints
Mucenici is a Romanian tradition that dates back to medieval times. It’s a celebration of the martyrdom of the saints and it’s celebrated on March 9th. During this day, people eat a special pastry called mucenici. This pastry is made from wheat, honey, and nuts and is shaped in the form of a saint. It’s believed that by eating the mucenici, people will be blessed with good luck and protection from danger.
This tradition is still very popular in Romania today and many people still eat the mucenici on March 9th. It’s a special way to remember the saints and honor their martyrdom.
3. Painted eggs, one of the main symbols of Orthodox Easter
The painted eggs are one of the main symbols of Orthodox Easter in Romania. It’s a tradition that dates back centuries and it’s still very popular today. During Easter, people often exchange painted eggs as a symbol of life and rebirth.
The eggs are usually painted in bright colors and often have religious symbols or images on them. It’s believed that the painted eggs bring good luck and protection from evil spirits. It’s also a way for people to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and to show that life is a precious gift.
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4. Funny Romanian Traditions and Celebrations – Night of Saint Andrew
The night of Saint Andrew is an interesting Romanian tradition that is celebrated on the night of November 30th. On this night, people eat garlic and put it on the windows and doors of their homes. It’s believed that this will bring good luck and protection from evil spirits.
The tradition of eating garlic on the night of Saint Andrew is also a way for people to honor the Saint. It’s believed that Saint Andrew was a great healer and that his spirit still watches over us. Eating garlic on this night is also a way to remember his teachings and ask for his protection.
5. Boboteaza: about how you dream of your future husband with the help of basil
Boboteaza is a Romanian tradition that is celebrated on January 6th. On this day, young girls often go to church and put basil on their foreheads. It’s believed that this will help them dream of their future husband. The tradition of Boboteaza is still very popular in Romania today. Young girls often go to church on this day and pray for a good husband. It’s a way for them to honor the Virgin Mary and ask for her protection and guidance.
6. Colinde & Mask dances ritual on Christmas and New Year
The mask dance ritual is a very important tradition for Romanian people. It’s a way for them to celebrate the Christmas and New Year holidays and it’s usually done on the night of December 24th and 25th. During this ritual, people wear masks and dance.
The masks are usually made from wood and they represent characters from Romanian folklore. The dance is usually accompanied by music and it’s a way for people to honor their ancestors and ask for their protection and guidance. It’s also a way for them to celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of a new one.
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7. Funny Romanian Traditions and Celebrations – bride kidnapping
Bride kidnapping is a tradition that is still practiced in some parts of Romania. It’s a tradition that dates back centuries and it’s still practiced in some rural areas of Romania. In this tradition, the groom and his family go to the bride’s house and kidnap her.
The kidnapping is usually done playfully and the groom and his family usually bring gifts for the bride and her family. After the kidnapping, the groom and the bride are considered married and they have to live together as husband and wife. It’s an interesting tradition and it’s still practiced in some parts of Romania.
8. Funny Romanian Traditions and Celebrations – Babele
Babele is a Romanian tradition that is inspired by the Romanian legend “Baba Dochia”. In this tradition, Romanians choose a date between March 1 and 9, and depending on the weather on the chosen day, this will be their year. If the day is sunny, the year will be sunny and if the day is gloomy, the year will be full of difficulties. The legend of Baba Dochia is still very popular in Romania today and many people still observe this tradition.
It’s a way for them to honor their ancestors and ask for their protection and guidance. It’s also a way to predict the future and prepare for the coming year.
9. Sâmbra oilor: an ancient tradition
Sâmbra oilor is an ancient tradition that takes place on Certeze Hill in Maramures. On this day, people gather together and make offerings to the sheep. It’s believed that the sheep will bring good luck and protection from evil spirits.
This is a very old tradition and it’s still practiced in some parts of Romania today. It’s a way to honor the sheep and ask for their protection and guidance. It’s also a way for people to come together and celebrate their love for one another.
10. Pig slaughter for Christmas
Pig slaughter is another tradition that is still practiced in some parts of Romania. On the night of December 24th, people often slaughter a pig and use its blood to paint crosses on the walls of their homes. It’s believed that this will bring good luck and protection from evil spirits.
This is another ancient tradition that is still practiced in some parts of Romania. It’s a way for people to honor their ancestors and ask for their protection and guidance. It’s also a way for them to celebrate the Christmas holidays and come together as a community.
11. Deochiul
Deochiul is a superstition that is still believed in some parts of Romania. It’s believed that certain people, especially children, and pregnant women, can be harmed by an admiring or envious look. It’s believed that these bad looks can steal a person’s energy and make them weak and ill.
To protect themselves from this energy theft, people often wear a red thread on their left hand. This is a way for them to ward off bad looks and protect themselves from energy theft. It’s a superstition that is still believed in some parts of Romania and it’s a way for people to honor their ancestors and ask for their protection and guidance.
12. Funny Romanian Traditions and Celebrations – Dance of the hen
The Dance of the Hen is another custom in the series of wedding rituals. It’s a dance based on the desire for prosperity and is often found in rural areas of Suceava, but also in other areas of the country. During this dance, the bride and groom dance with hens on their shoulders. It’s believed that this will bring good luck and prosperity to the newlyweds.
This is a very old tradition and it’s still practiced in some parts of Romania. It’s a way for people to honor their ancestors and ask for their protection and guidance. It’s also a way for them to celebrate the marriage and come together as a community.
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13. Shrove Tuesday (Lăsatul secului de carne) or Crazy people week
Crazy people week is another interesting tradition that is still practiced in some parts of Romania. It’s believed that in the last week of Lent, only village fools marry. The origin of these beliefs is that during that week, also called “White week”, debauchery is given free rein, following a period of abstention.
This is another old tradition that is still practiced in some parts of Romania. It’s a way for people to honor their ancestors and ask for their protection and guidance. It’s also a way for people to celebrate the end of Lent and to come together as a community.
14. Dragobetele
Dragobetele is a holiday that is celebrated in Romania on February 24th. This holiday is associated with a character from traditional Romanian mythology, being identified with Cupid. On this day, people often exchange gifts and they go out to dance and have fun.
It’s believed that this holiday brings good luck and protection from evil spirits. It’s also a way for people to honor their ancestors and ask for their protection and guidance; and for people to celebrate love and come together as a community.
15. Funny Romanian Traditions and Celebrations – Sorcova
Going from house to house with Sorcova is one of the oldest Romanian traditional customs, a reason for joy for children. The little ones walk with a sprouted branch of a tree or with a sorcova created from a stick on which flowers were woven from colored paper, shouting prosperity and cheerfulness while throwing rice at people’s doors. They offer them money, apples, nuts, or braided coils.
As you can see, Romanian people have a unique culture and many interesting traditions that make them special. From the night of Sanziene to the wedding in Romania, many customs and beliefs make their culture unique. These traditions are a way for Romanian people to honor their ancestors and to ask for their protection and guidance.
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