EASTER IN OAŞ
The Easter cycle is the longest in the traditional calendar. It takes place around the summer equinox and it is established according to the phases of the moon. The cycle begins with the Easter Lent (49 days) and ends with the Whit Sunday (the 50th day after Easter). The first part of the period reminds on the sacrifice and pains of Christ, preparing the Christians through rites of purification of the body (the Lent) and the soul to receive the joy of resurrection. This joy is emphasized during the second part of the Easter cycle. People prepare for the holiday by cleaning the yard and the garden. Women wash all the cloths and the furniture in the house, and repair and paint the walls. During Lent, a series of customs are dedicated to the dead ancestors due to the beliefs saying that the spirits return home on Good Thursday. Beside the masses dedicated to the memory of death, food is prepared for them. The specific meal of the Easter is lamb, milk-loaf, and boiled-eggs painted in red, all of them being blessed at the mass celebrating the resurrection. Easter Sunday is spent at church and at home among the family. Visits are paid to relatives in order to traditionally break red egg, on the second day of the feast. In Oaş, the godchildren have to give to their godfather a bottle of ţuica (a traditional brandy), every year. The bottles are suspended on the girder of the house, expressing the social prestige of the family culminate in the weeks before and after Easter Sunday, also known as the week of Passions and the week of Lights. SzL
EASTER PRESENTS AT THE HUNGARIANS OF SATU MARE
One of the most important customs during Easter is linked to the spiritual relationship between young girls to be married. On the first Sunday after Easter, the girls send to a good friend, the future potential godmother of their children, a tray with special goods for Easter (red eggs, cakes, fruit and wine). The tray is taken by an assistant younger girl. The tray expresses a symbolical connection between the two girls, who help each other when major events take place in their lives (like the birth of a child). SzL
CHRISTMAS IN CODRU
Christmas is celebrated in 25th, 26th and 27th of December. The lent lasts until the evening before Christmas. The meal is a true ritual, because many dishes are prepared in the morning of the 24th of December. The fire is made before the sun rises, and the bread, the milk-loaf, the sarmale (minced meat and rice wrapped in cabbage leafs) and several pork dishes are prepared. People fast all day long and sit for dinner only when the sun sets. The table is laid specifically for the event but the householder doesn’t sit for dinner until he fed all his animals. After the prayer, the oldest in the family invites the other members to help themselves with the goods. For the absent family members a glass of palinca (a traditional brandy) is poured that the head of the family should drink when dinner is over. On Christmas Eve little children begins caroling then the youngsters follow them, paying special attention to the houses with girls to be married. Gifts like nuts, apples, milk-loaf and money are received in exchange. Caroling begins at the window and, when permission is granted; the team enters the house and carols once more. During the caroling a popular religious play is practiced with masks: Viflaiem (Bethlehem). It is said, that those who receive the carol will get prosperity to their house. SzL