A unique custom in the Oltenia area takes place in the villages of Padeş commune, in Gorj county. It is called pițărăiwith masks. Young people dress up as old men and women, representing the ending year. They go and dress up on a hill or in a more secluded place, so as not to be seen so as not to be recognized. The masks are also particularly funny. Young people do all kinds of mischief hidden by the masks. Locals who do not go out to the streets are punished as a joke.
“We keep the traditions and, in particular, masked pițărăi. The young people of the village still have the desire to put the masks on their faces. The masks are made from the fur of wild animals or sheep, goat, after which they are decorated with tassels, pumpkin seeds, beans, ornaments made of unwashed or washed, but not combed, wool. Some put on animal horns or skulls, so that these masks, which are worn by the “old men”, were enriched in a way. Young people walk in pairs. The “old women” are also boys, who are disguised as women and wear a mask made of white cloth, decorated with wool and tassels. The midwife costume, also worn by boys, is made up of the women’s folk costume, and the borangic scarf, and the mask is made of cloth”, said Carmen Sarcină.
How is masked piţărăi tradition carried out?
Ionel Răzvan Blaje is 18 years old and told us how this custom is carried out: “15-20 days before, all the boys meet and talk about what we are going to do. We start making the masks. On the 24th of December, we gather at the foot of the hill and climb up it. We make a fire and boil wine until the carollers reach the foot of the hill. We all get down and start walking all the streets the village. The locals are waiting for us at the gate with sweets and fruits “.
Children may not dress up
Children may not go carolling wearing masks, only those who become adults are allowed to go in costume. David Frăţilescu is nine years old and can’t wait to grow up to go to the carol with a mask on his face: “This custom takes place every year. I am very happy because we get sweets and see the masked “old men” coming. I will go too, but when I grow up.“
The origin of the tradition is not known
„The custom is very old. My grandfather died at the age of 80 and told me that he also got into this tradition when he was a child. I kept asking, because I want to find out who brought here the custom of masked piţărăi, as they have their origin in the area of Maramureş and Moldova. Probably one of our ancestors came from those parts. One of the elders of the village – there were four elders who laid the foundation of the village – had a Serbian name, so he may also be of Serbian origin. We don’t know exactly, but we all enjoy this ancient custom”, Carmen Sarcină told us.
Contributor: Gorj County Centre for the Conservation and Promotion of Traditional Culture
