The document describes various Christmas customs in the Maramures region of Romania, highlighting traditions such as the preparation rituals before Christmas, caroling by children, and symbolic practices that predict future fortunes. Notably, it mentions the performance of two types of carols, 'one steaua' and 'capra', along with other regional customs involving biblical characters and the use of hidden items under plates to forecast relationships. These customs reflect the rich cultural heritage associated with the holiday season in this region.

1. University of Agronomic sciences and Veterinary Medicine
Of Bucharest
Faculty of Management,Economic Engineering in Agriculture
and Rural Development
Dragan Denisa-Nicoleta ,IMAPA ,Anul I ,Grupa 8115
Dinu Alexandra Bianca , IMAPA , Anul I ,Grupa 8115
CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS IN MARAMURES
The Romanian region of Maramures is rich in customs and traditions related with the holidays
season especially the ones related with the holiday of CHIRSTMAS . For instance one day before
CHRISTMAS the villagers are putting a horse shoe in a bucket of water . The chimneys are
cleaned and the soot is place at the root of the threes in order for the threes to give a better
harvest next year. In the Christmas Eve all the stables are anointed with garlic in order to chase a
way the vampires and all evil spirits. On the Christmas Eve in the villages of Maramures region
the first to leave their houses and go out to sign Christmas Carols are the kids. With their small
bags around their shoulders they are going from house to house to spread the good news of the
event that is going to happen and getting in exchange of their singing nuts, apples and cakes .
They are singing and performing one of the two types of carols called one STEAUA (STAR) and
second one CAPRA (GOAT) . The game of CAPRA (which represents the killing , the morning, the
burial, the Resurrection) was at his origin a sad ritual . The children are manufacturing well in
advance the prop that will allow them to perform and sing the carols using especially materials
found in their mothers closets all this bearing in mind that the star used for the carol STEAUA
needs to be very bright and the mocked goat used for CAPRA needs to be as colorful and as loud
as possible . In some villages during the period between Christmas and New Year you can see on
the streets groups of people formed by the Biblical characters Baltazar, Gaspar, Melchior , Herod
the emperor , the priest Ozia , the angel and the shepherd. In the regions of Fagaras and Mures
the custom is that for the New Year to set on the table 12 plates under which certain things are
hidden . Pairs of young girls and young boys are entering together in the house and each one of
them is turning a plate and what lies underneath the plate shows them how their future
husband / wife will be or their good fortune in their relationship with their future husband / wife
I.E. mirror =pride , glass of plum brandy= alcoholic , bred = richness , coal = evil , salt = poorness ,
crayon = gentelmen , money = richness.
Coordinating
teacher : Mihai
Daniel Frumuselu