General Principles of Intellectual Property: Concepts of Intellectual Proper...
Calusul the fastest folk dance (1)
1.
2. Calusul was included on the list of
UNESCO Masterpieces of the Oral and
Intangible Heritages of Humanity in
2005. This dance represents a horse
divinity who is the protector of the
warm season as well as of the horses.
Its origins go back in the Roman
Empire in the Pre-Christian era. Out
of all the ex roman territories, it is
only in Romania that it is still danced
today.
3. Calusul is danced by a group of men
named “calusari” who are excellent
dancers and who are chosen by the chief
of the group, called “vataf”. Those who
dance are initiated according to an old
secret ritual that is well kept through
generations. They make an oath that they
will be part of this group for a limited
period of time: 3, 7 or 9 years.
4. In everything they do, calusarii want to resemble the horses: they wear
spurs at their feet, bells at their waist, a harness on their chest and they
imitate during the dance the gallop, the plod and the whining of horses.
5. The dance of Calusul contains magical
formulas, ritual dances and acts, among
which we can mention the dance with
children (the dancers hold them in their
arms or put them on the ground and jump
over them so that they will chase away the
diseases, especially fever). They say that
this dance protects people, animals and
crops from the evil forces.
6. The attire of “calusarii” is a traditional attire of the respective area of our
country, to which they add specific elements as: sticks, hat ribbons, a club
(which is the oldest tool and weapon of man). The white of the attire makes
the red of some elements (ribbons, waist bands) even more visible.
7. The red colour is traditionally
used as an antidote against
spells.
8. The ceremonial included dances and rituals performed by men organized in a
hierarchy : the Mute, the Chief (“Vataf”), the Flag Holder, and the “calusari”
(dancers). It is the most spectacular Romanian folk dance and they say its
moves are the fastest in the world.
9. Calusul mixes old Pre-Christian beliefs and symbols like the horse deity which
is symbolized by a mask the Mute wears, effigies, the flag of the Calus,
totems, the knocking of the Calus, the magical transfer of the divine fertility to
animals and crops.
11. The group of young men in Baneasa
area performing Calusul.
12. On youtube.com one can find videos
of this beautiful dance as well as
commentaries in English, Italian and
Romanian about the complexity, the
fastness and the beauty of Calusul.
