The historical region of Banat comprises five counties in Romania (Timiş, Caraş-Severin, Arad, Mehedinţi and Hunedoara) and territories from Serbia and Hungary. Throughout time, this region was part of the Kingdom of Hungary, of the Ottoman Empire and of the Austrian Empire. After the First World War, Banat was divided between the three states, becoming a space inhabited by Romanians, Serbs, Hungarians, Germans, Slovaks, Croatians, Bulgarians and other minorities. The many ethnicities that lived in the west of the country have left their mark on the area, influencing the customs of the place. Some traditions have been preserved, others have lost their signification and origin. Banat remains the depository of unique traditions formed by combining the cultural identities of the communities that have marked the history of this region.

Winter Traditions. Christmas and New Year’s in Banat

Winter holidays are celebrated in Banat with a multitude of customs belonging to the ethnicities living here. On December 6th, the young Swabians dress in St. Nicholas' clothing and go to several houses, looking for disobedient children to punish. The little ones lay their clean boots at the windows and next to them they put sweets, apples and walnuts as a sop to the Saint. Obedient children receive gifts, and to those who are naughty,MoşNicolae brings a twig that the parents use for rebuking.

The Serbs in Banat celebrate Christmas on the old rite, according to the Gregorian calendar. On Christmas Eve, on December 6th, after the evening sermon, they burn the badnjak. A young oak trunk is lit in the yard or in the oven of the house, as the fire symbolizes the warmth of Jesus Christ's love. The more sparks the burned wood produces the richer the household will be in the coming year. On this day the tree is adorned, and around it, family members put dishes for Santa and grains for his horse. At dusk, groups of masked singers start caroling in the village. They are called “piţărăi” and they're invited into the yards, where the hosts give themcolacs, walnuts, apples and wine. On the Almaj Valley, younger children use to carol, carrying hazelnuts sticks with which they knock on the floors of the houses they enter, to drive away evil spirits and bring prosperity.

On the first Christmas day, the carolers go with Steaua (the Star), symbolically reenacting the journey of the three magi to the place where baby Jesus was born. According to an ancient custom, the eldest member of the family must throw wheat and maize grains before the groups of piţărăi; it is said that if these grains are planted in the furrow, the following year's harvest will be very rich. Another tradition preserved in Banat is the Viflaim or The Herods, when in the hosts' house, the carolers reenact the story of the Savior's birth. The Serb housewives bring straws into the house, symbolizing the manger in which Jesus was born, and underneath the tablecloths they put hay and seeds to have harmony and abundance in their homes. The Christmas celebration symbolizes the gift of life, love, joy and kindness, all of which are celebrated in the middle of the family, around the beautifully decorated tree.

On the eve of the New Year, single people observe a series of traditions that are believed to bring forth their significant other. For example, as soon as the priest announces the eve, the girls start looking for branches of sweet apple trees. If the latter are covered by hoarfrost, their future husbands will be wealthy men, otherwise they will be poor. Similarly, the custom of guessing indicates the young people what kind of person they will marry. Under several pots on a table a number of objects are placed - money, wheat seeds, needles, a comb, bread. The girl or boy must pick up three pots; if they discover the needle, the bread and the comb, it means that their half will be rich but ugly. On the evening of New Year's Eve, they make onion calendars in the household. The bulb is cut into 12 pieces, each representing one month of the year; in each of these, salt is added. The pieces that leave more water mark the rainy months, the others are a sign of drought.

On New Year's Eve, in some villages in Banat, there still play Sânvăsiile, a custom which was practiced when the passing of the new year was celebrated without too much pomp.The game took place at those houses where young people on the brink of marriage lived. The eldest woman in the household placed several items under nine plates, each item representing a characteristic of the future bride or groom. The young men and women picked up three plates, thus finding out how their mates would be. The ring and the mirror symbolized a beautiful person, the needle - a diligent woman, and the pencil - a learned man. In the area of mountainous Banat, children go with Pluguşorul (the Little Plough), wishing the hosts health, abundance, a rich harvest and a happy year. The New Year is celebrated with much joy, with plentiful tables and with the hope that the following year will be better and more prosperous.

Easter Traditions. The Celebration of the Resurrection

In Banat area, Easter traditions are fewer than in the other regions of the country, but the Resurrection feast has the same great significance for Christians. The most important day in the period preceding Easter is the Holy Thursday, when, according to folk tradition, Joimariţa walks in the villages and punishes the girls who have not finished weaving. On this day, the fires in the cemeteries are lit, because it is believed that, with the resurrection of the Lord, the souls of the dead return to earth. The Roman Catholic churches sanctify the oils for the sick and for the fulfillment of the sacraments. On Holy Saturday, after the housewives finish cleaning up the house and decorating the eggs, the men sacrifice the lamb, preparing delicious traditional dishes from it.

After the Resurrection service, it is customary for young girls to keep the candle which they lit up in church in the house all year. It is said that if you observe the tradition, you will have good luck in life and will be in everyone's good books. On Easter morning, believers wash their faces with fresh well water from a pot, in which they put a red egg, a silver coin and a blade of green grass. Thus they will be rosy in their cheeks, full of energy, and will have a plentiful year. Then there is the incensing of the dishes, with each diner receiving a teaspoon of wine and holy bread.

On the second day of Easter, the villagers wear traditional costumes and organize round dances in the center of the village and in front of the church. People forget about their worries, make peace with one another and celebrate the hope of a new beginning. With the Germans and the Magyars, there is the custom of sprinkling girls with perfume. The young boys go to the unmarried girls' homes and shout: "I hear you have a beautiful rose. We have come to wet it, for it to grow, bloom and live for many years". Then they perfume the girls as a symbol of life and fertility.

The first week after Easter is called the Blessing Week or Thomas' Week. It is believed that these days, the souls of the dead are free and walk the earth. Women cook special dishes and share it with their neighbors, mentioning the deceased. Another custom specific for Banat is the Mătcălău or Ortăcia, an occasion for children to make wreaths from the branches of a blossoming tree and put them on their heads; then they take each other's hands, they go round the tree and exchange red eggs. Children thus bind a close friendship which usually lasts until the end of their lives.

In Banat you can learn about the Romanian, Serbian and Hungarian traditions that have been preserved throughout time and which have resisted the fusion of the three cultures. The Easter celebration still has a mystical significance here, fascinating both the tourists and the inhabitants of the other regions of the country.

Wedding Traditions in Banat

For the people of Banat, the wedding is the most important family event, a celebration attended by the entire village community. The customs inherited from the ancestors make this moment grand and unforgettable. Three weeks before the wedding, the priest announces the union of the two young people in church, thus removing any obstacle that might appear in the way of their happiness, any objections. The party invitations are made by the best men called "givări" here, who roam the village up and down, offering wine to people.

The wooing takes places a few days before the wedding. The bridegroom goes to the home of the girl's parents to ask for her hand in marriage. According to the ritual, they try to fool him, bringing an old woman from the village, then little girls dressed in wedding dresses, posing as the bride. It is only at the third request of the boy that his partner appears. The actual wedding begins with the officiation of the sacred mystery of marriage and the receiving of the priest's blessing. It is said that if the bride does not want to have children in the following period, she must throw poppy seeds before entering the church. They symbolize the years that will pass until the couple has a descendant.

The party begins with the bride's dance, when the wedding guests give the bride money to dance with her. Some of them join the round dance with the wedded couple and the godparents, others enjoy the traditional dishes. Music and folk dances are ever-present at the weddings in Banat, representing tradition and integration into the community.On the day following the event, the young couple goes to a fountain situated at a crossroads and pours water for the people who want to wash their hands; in exchange, they receive money. The elders of the village also put an egg into the bride's bucket. When they get home, the newlyweds compete to break the egg, for whoever succeeds will be considered the head of the family. After observing this ritual, the bride and groom take gifts to their godparents, thanking them for accepting to be their spiritual parents.

The modern Banat wedding preserves the most important customs, marking the key moments of this event. The music, the dances and the traditional dishes are indispensable from such parties.

Throughout the Year Traditions in Banat

The Triphon or Caterpillar Day is the first holiday of the agricultural calendar and is dedicated to Saint Triphon, the protector of gardens and orchards. On this day, the priests sanctify the water to sprinkle the fields with it, thus keeping away drought and hail. In the past, the villagers used to climb a hill from where they threw a wheel on fire to remove bad spirits and keep winter away.

At the beginning of March, people celebrate the Mărţişor, announcing the coming of spring. The mărţişor, a string woven from a red and a white thread, is presented to the close ones, accompanied by good wishes. The little charm is worn at the chest and represents the purity of soul, friendship and fidelity. Tradition says that girls who do not wear the mărţişor will have bad luck all year long. In the old days, mothers used to tie a silver or gold coin at the end of the string and tied it to the little children's hands to keep them safe from illnesses.

Before an important fasting period, such as Easter and Christmas Fast, a custom called the Dishes' Tuesday is observed. All the pots and dishes in the house are washed with water and ashes in order to erase all traces of fat; meanwhile, the prayer "Our Father" prayer is said.

The village world in Banat preserves most of the inherited customs from the elderly. The handcrafted folk costumes, the traditional dances that animate the streets, the engaging music that creates a holiday atmosphere, they all contribute to the idyllic image of a fairytale world, fascinating with its mysteries.

[An article written by Andreea Bertea]