Varvara BUZILĂ, FRUNZARII VERZI UTILIZAŢI ÎN OBICEIURILE DE LA ÎNCEPUTUL VERII

Anuarul Muzeului Etnografic al Moldovei – IV / 2004

ABSTRACT

The time from the Great Sunday (the 50th day from Easter) till the Departure of the Rusalii (till the summer solstice) captures many calendared celebrations that are celebrated for centuries.

These celebrations take place (are practiced) in order to overcome time crisis generated by the beginning of the second part of the year. It is the time when the Rusalii are active and the whole class of female goddesses, protectors of water, flora, beauty, song and dance.

In order to protect from Rusalli the rural communities decorate all the housings with green lime tree branches (mostly at the south), and inside the house they spread different odor herbs. In thus the nature, via its vegetal representatives, includes also the cultural space, dominating it during eight days usually, or one day as an early influence.

It is a cosmogonic period of reorganization of nature, when the agrarian, forester, aquatic activity is prohibited for people. The irreverence of these prohibitions, according to the popular beliefs, can result in punishment of the people by the Rusalii by inducing psychomotor affectations.

The women are the once that negotiate with the Rusalii. Women are those that water and alimentary alms, mention the dead many a lot during this time, celebrate the Rusalii organizing fests in the open air in fields or forests.

A distinct ritual of this space is the clearance of the wells and springs, done by men only, the men of the village, on the Rusalii celebration. This action means the emptying of water from the wells, cleaning and accurate care of the rigens. The day is ended with a big fest of the families (communion) that consume the water from that source close to the well or spring.