Hallowe'en is upon us: a time when the supernatural and all things spooky come to the fore in people's minds. The folklore of Romania is the collection of traditions of the Romanians. They wore an apron called or or ctrin which is also embroidered and a headscarf called basma;on special occasions they wore more elaborate outfits. At that time, the Devil came out of the water and asked her why she was sitting there. A Cpcun is a creature in Romanian folklore, depicted as an ogre who kidnaps children or young ladies (mostly princesses). In Romanian folklore, Muma Pdurii (Romanian pronunciation:[muma pdurij]) is an ugly and mischievous or mad old woman living in the forest (in the heart of virgin forests, in a hut/cabin or an old tree). It is said that only wizards know what tasks to give to the devils by making them do things such as making ropes out of water and sand or stopping rivers from flowing into the sea. Black Magic - Romania That Vlad the Impaler spent seven years in the castles dungeons. Featured image: Francisco Goya, Witches' Sabbath (El aquelarre). Im not sure if its true, but it most definitely is cool. This is beautiful, Tiffany, wonderful experience and lovely words to share it. Many Romani tribes live in chronic isolation from mainstream Romanian society. The varkolak or vyrkola or vrykolakas, also called vorvolakas or vourdoulakas, is a harmful undead creature in Slavic folklore. I am sure you are familiar with his legend which states that he was born in a manger surrounded by shepherds, What's your favourite Fairy Tales (and their possible origins), about Eggsquisite Art: Romanias Stunning Traditional Craft of Egg Painting, about Gold Laden Hun Warrior Tomb Uncovered by Romanian Highway Project, about Demystifying the Famous, Fierce, Golden Helmet of Coofeneti. On the way, we stop in some of Romanias most treasured sites. The Romanian werewolf lore depicts the monstrous animal as a dying ill person with pale and dry skin. Chuck hails from New York, but hes been working with Roma people for over a decade. Witches, curses, ghosts and prayers? The real stories of - News An elaborate collection of china stands in full display in the dining area. Luke. Romania's rich folk traditions have been nourished by many sources, some of which predate the Roman occupation. To finalize the crafting ritual, gently blow on your broom, from the bristles to the end of the handle, so that it may carry and protect you. The Witch's Besom - How to Craft and Use Your Own Magical Broom Strong folk traditions have survived to this day due to the rural character of the Romanian communities, which has resulted in an exceptionally vital and creative traditional culture. Then, two things happened: either Chaos or Gaia created the universe as we know it, or Ouranos and Tethys gave birth to the first beings. Thank you for your wonderful work. Hey! During Medieval period of present-day Romania, the Romani people suffered systemic slavery. The Witch Our third being, the . Among the . The Mysterious House-Burning of the Forgotten Cucuteni-Trypillian Culture. In: Lefter, Lucian-Valeriu. In 2017, she relocated to California to. The ancient civilization of Greece is a historical period that has long been a subject of fascination and intrigue. Some of these stories have really given me goosebumps. Some historians describe him as a justyet brutally cruelruler who valiantly fought off the Ottoman Empire. witch, in some contexts also overlaps with . This other earth is imagined as a mirror image of our own, and as a home to creatures called Blajini [blain] ("gentle/kind-hearted ones"), sometimes given the name Rohmani [roh.man] in Bucovina. The 12 winds are said to sweep up the ashes of people and gather them in the valley of Safed, where the Last Judgement shall be done. The Greeks traditionally . Not to be confused with Romanians, the Romani people make up the second largest minority group in Romania. Christa Thompson is the Founder and Chief Editor of The Fairytale Traveler. [1] They are attributed with the abilities to transform into an animal, become invisible, and to gain vitality from the blood of their victims. The Devil and a woman on horseback. Witchcraft in Romania - Spells 4 free Gypsy magic rides a strange middle-land between neopaganism and hereditary witchcraft because often, much is borrowed from the unbroken lineage of the practitioners ancestors. Klara and her family started offering tourists a glimpse into the cultural life of her tribe about 15 years ago. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Romani Magic Because of close ties to family and extended kin, it's not surprising to see the Gypsy Witch using a heaping portion of folklore in their magic. Those who wanted to contact the Devil used to go to a crossroad where they called his name or they yelled out loud Hey! Since they live in isolation, they have no way of knowing when Easter comes. Upon deciding to create the earth, God sent the Devil to bring a handful of clay from the ground of the World Ocean[ru] in his holy name. Become a Better Gamer and Level Up in 4 Easy Steps! Across the table, a European couple sit. Early witches were people who practiced witchcraft, using magic spells and calling upon spirits for help or to bring about change. european folklore - Why is purple the color that protects from witches The dark part, although obscured by this veneer and public ignorance, is just as pervasive as it once was. She and her coven -- all women of the traditionally itinerant Roma minority -- live at the margins of European society, in the. Vampires were believed to be either children of witches or the product of a witch who had died. Lost City Revealed: The Mysteries of Nan Madol Uncovered (Video), Outside the Battlefield, What Was Daily Life Like for Medieval Knights? Vampires: Real Origins, Legends & Stories One place that has always had a rich and strong practice of their craft are the Witches or Romania. 10.The voice of Death. For instance, the Teleki mansion, which is situated in the. Courageous, the young man opened the book and began reading from it. 100+ Pagan or Witch names and their meanings They are also known as vampires. It was 1875 when 200 mysterious artifacts known as the Sinaia lead plates unexpectedly turned up at the Museum of Antiquities in Bucharest, Romania. Depiction of a red demon, like the one in the Romanian tale. At first, the residents of the nearby village of Tisa believed that the church bells were commemorating Easter on that fateful day. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Once the witch finished taking the milk from all the cows, she went to the man and asked him: - Are you sitting Ivan? Its a famous myth? Also, the poet Vasile Alecsandri published the most successful version of the ballad Mioria (The Little Ewe), a sad, philosophical poem, centered on a simple action: the plot by two shepherds to kill a third shepherd because they envied his wealth. As he read, in front of him demons appeared asking for work. The shtriga is often pictured as a woman with a . His name comes from the Romanian "a pcli" - "to fool". However the little girl's brother outsmarts Muma Pdurii and pushes the woman-monster in the oven instead, similar to the story of Hansel and Gretel. He was then pushed by his master and killed in the incident. We kill the chicken in the backyard.. It is for this reason that Romanians eat dyed eggs and let the shells flow downstream, from there they believe they will get to the Apa Smbetei, and from there to the Blajini. I feel comfortable with Klara. Many, however, were simply natural healers or so-called "wise . Witchcraft and Depictions of Witches in Roman Sources The sorcery and witchcraft of Slavic people is a synthesis of paganism and Christianity, i.e. The second meaning is connected with magic and witchcraft. Then, the restless devils killed the young man and no one ever dared to open the Black Book ever again. An old Romanian proverb says: Do not speak badly of the Devil because you cannot know to whom you will belong . The Romanian holiday Patele Blajinilor (Easter of Blajini) is a way to repay them for the benefits they bring. A successful local entrepreneur and pillar of her community, she strikes a brilliant balance. So lets start with. Mark Bucharest in particular on your travel maps because you cannot afford to miss the chance to enjoy this citys exciting nightlife scene. [1]:6971. Among the highlights, we drive the famous Transfgran highway through the Carpathian Mountains. The Witches of Romania lfsvaettr Craftsman Required fields are marked *. The small village of Ciocneti in Romania is known for its elaborate motifs that adorn its buildings, and these designs are reflected in the decorated eggs. Your email address will not be published. [1]:34. This blatant behaviour drowned the intoxicated soldiers in wine, which may be one of the more dignified ways to die in a war, all things considering. Mythology in Romania: Exploring Beliefs about Witchcraft and the Devil The first describes a highly skilled person, with special artistic abilities. The young man first gave them easy tasks and, then, more and more complex ones. While we wait for the food to come out, I go outside to photograph her family. These evil spirits live normal lives by day and torment villagers by night. Strigoi or vampires are considered lethargic and . Further, the existing sources are largely outdated or not available in English. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. And I mean from scratch. Second, for a long time learned culture was governed by official and social commands and developed around courts of princes and boyars, as well as in monasteries. In another instance, should this army not come, God shall burn the earth as described and bring the Blajini to live there. He danced in front of the windows and hit them making the entire house tremble. This will increase the potency of your broom. The Romanians call the living dead Strigoi or Moroi meaning "nightmare." 1.8M views 3 years ago In Romania, the homeland of Dracula and superstition, witches were pretty much spared from the medieval witch-hunts that plagued most of Europe and killed 100,000. A Visual Tour (Video), Behind the Scenes of Ancient Greece: Exploring the Daily Life of its People (Video), Trove of Ancient Artifacts Discovered in Paestum Include Dolphin Statuette of Eros, TheiaGreek Goddess of Light, the Sun, the Moon, and Wisdom, Greeces East Attica In Antiquity: Playground Of Gods, Heroes And Heroines, A Face to the Legend: The Quest to Reconstruct Cleopatra's Look (Video), Aspasia - The Real-Life Helen of Troy? On the Demon-Mania of Witches by Jean Bodin. Such is the case of the following story. (witch) of medieval Italy and the strigoi of Romania. For example: Not to me! Twenty-seven-year-old Klara of the Gabor tribe declares without hesitation. Strigoi in Romanian mythology are troubled spirits that are said to have risen from the grave. ROMANIAN MYTHOLOGY and LEGENDARY CREATURES | little spy eye These stories have been passed down through generations and have become an integral part of Romanian culture. . Legend has it that the woman accepted and she was made a witch. Other rare natural phenomena such as Eclipses or Comets were seen as a sign of impending doom. vampire. is the Slavonian blan meaning 'kind, well-minding person'. Safe travels. Party music is very lively and shows both Balkan and Hungarian influences. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies.