A fertility ritual, still present today in Romania, păpălugăra, is usually put into practice in spring, and the performance of the custom is not the same in all communities. In some villages păpălugăra is practiced on Saint George’s Day, in others on Pentecost, along with the ox’s adornment, and in other communities in drought times.
At Mintiu Gherlii, Cluj county, păpălugăra custom takes place on the day of Pentecost, along with the ox’s adornment . Preparations begin three days before, when the young men of the community, who are of marriageable age, go to a predetermined place in the forest, where they procure the bark of wild cherry, necessary for the costume of păpălugăra performers. Once the wild cherry is peeled, it will die. This sacrifice is necessary for the performance of the ritual.
On the Pentecost morning, young people go to Fizeș Valley, from where they collect wicker branches. With these, goţoi, the main character in the ritual, is to be dressed. The păpălugăra performers ‘ costume consists of helmets, vests and leggings, made of cherry rug, procured three days before, and left to soak in water. These costumes remind us of the military uniforms of the Roman period. The role of păpălugăra performers is to protect the goţoi from being drenched with water by the locals. Here, the custom takes on a violent tone, with the păpălugăra performers hitting those who water the goţoi with their hazelnut branches.
Goțoi is played by a boy who is already at the age of puberty. He is flanked by 8 păpălugăra guards, who protect him from the locals’ buckets of water. A real water fight takes place on the route. Both the water and the green leaves in the goţoi costume symbolize fertility.
Contributor: Cluj County Centre for the Conservation and Promotion of Traditional Culture
