Folk dances and parties of the Momârlani population

In: Revista de etnologie și culturologie: Journal of ethnology and culturology = Žurnal ėtnologii i kulʹturologii, Band 29, S. 72-77

Abstract

Known as Jieţi or Momârlani, this population, located in the so-called Country of the Momârlani in the southern part of Hunedoara County, is distinguished by certain specific characteristics that single it out from the other inhabitants of Jiu Valley. Leisure activities, dances or hore (Romanian round dances) in particular, have characteristics of the ethnic profile of the Momârlani, as well as the humorous/satirical extempore verse chanted during a folk dance (lies); they all aim at creating relaxation and good humor. They include Învârtita jienească, Stânga, Hora mare, Hora bănăţeană, Haţegana, Sârba, Alunelu, Bordeiaşul, etc., depending on the locality. Dances at the Jieni's parties – the Sunday dances at the pub, țirc dances, dances at claca (voluntary collective work of the peasants usually followed by a party), şezători (evening sitting of village women), godchildren gathering, blood brotherhoods, baptisms, weddings, pițărăii (carolers on Christmas Eve), the feast of the Magi, the gathering of the sheep, nedei (countryside parties held for a week after Easter by the Jiu Valley communities of Momârlani). Parties and dances also contributed to shaping the ethnic profile of this population, along with the ornamental and colorful richness and meanings of the traditional costume, gastronomy, customs, traditions, language, folk literature, etc. The isolation in which they lived until the first half of the 20th century was one of the reasons that enabled the preservation of their unaltered ethnic characteristics, of the specificities given by the originality of certain customs and traditions, some of which are of an ancient origin.