Practiced in some communities in Cluj county (in the villages of Mintiu Gherlii, Batin and Mănăstirea), on the day of Pentecost, the ox’s adornment is a custom-ritual of fertility and initiation for young people from traditional communities. That it has been perpetuated without interruption, from times unknown to us, is fascinating and at the same time worth recording.
Preparations for the enactment of the ritual begin three days before Pentecost. On the Friday before the celebration, young ladies and men in the community, who are of marriageable age, go to pick the ox’s feather, “pana boului“, a flower that is part of the spontaneous flora of the area. This plant is to be used to decorate the two oxen used in the custom. Also on Fridays, the hazel branches are also procured, necessary for the “ pana boului ” skeleton, this being an ornament that comes placed above the yoke in which the two oxen are caught.
On Sunday morning, on Pentecost Day, the young people gather at the house from where the adorned ox is going to start and prepare “pana boului“. Once finished, the feather is placed on top of the yoke in which the two oxen are caught. The party, which is to go in procession through the streets of the village, consists of the horsemen who lead the way, the adorned ox, the chanters who sing and the people of the village who shout and rejoice. One of the riders has a chariot wheel tied to the horse, on which several characters are placed: the bridegroom, the bride, the godparents and the priest. The wheel, being pulled by the horse, rotates, and the characters give the impression that they are “spinning around the icons”, just like at the wedding service. The rider pulling the wheel is said to get married in the coming year.
Arriving with the adorned ox on the middle of the village, it is given a little bit of brandy called “jinars” and a glass of water to drink. Being under the influence of alcohol, the ox goes into a state of agitation. It is then when the custom turns into the initiation ritual. Bridegrooms must take the raging ox by the horns and control it. The girl who manages to do this is said to not remain unmarried.
Pana boului flower is taken from the yoke and the riders begin the feather game. This is raised aloft and, while the fiddler (ceteras) plays and sings a song specific to the area, the young raise the feather and play it to the beat of the song. While the feather is being danced, a series of squeals (chiuituri) are called out, going like this:
„Who did not dance the “feather”,
Will not get married.
The “feather” must be danced
And the mouth must be kissed.
We will dance the “feather”
And then we will get married.”
Contributor: County Centre for the Conservation and Promotion of Traditional Culture Cluj
