Traditions in Romania-Christmas and the New Year

If you want to know more about a country, my advice is to find out about its traditions. And a more magical moment than Christmas and New Year does not even exist! That is how you will find out the true nature of these people, following their customs and the way they spend these days. Today we will talk about Romania, a land so rich in history and culture, full of festive traditions that seem to come alive during the magical season of Christmas and New Year. These celebrations are passed down through generations, blending religious significance with folklore, and creating a unique atmosphere. Are you ready for the most traditional time of the year in Romania?

The fasting

In Romania, the arrival of Christmas is not only about festive decorations and beautiful gifts. Being a majority Christian people, the Romanians also hold the Nativity fast called Postul Crăciunului. This significant practice holds deep-rooted traditions and plays a crucial role in the spiritual preparation for the celebration of Christ’s birth. They start on November 14^th and finish on December 24^th, fasting for 40 days, eliminating meat, dairy, and other foods of animal origin. The diet during this time primarily consists of vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, and seeds. The whole point of Christmas fasting is to encourage the embrace of simplicity in their meals, emphasizing spiritual discipline. Fasting is accompanied by the purity of soul and a period of forgiveness and gratitude. Believers are intensifying their prayers, attending church services, and engaging in acts of charity, searching for a deeper connection with God. Cleanliness also refers to the environment and the housewives starting the general cleaning long before the arrival of Christmas. Even men do not get away with it, they clean the yard and the stables of the animals. Christmas fasting is a real tradition in Romania, and it has a spiritual importance and cultural significance in the holiday season. So be aware of this when you try to order some steak in this period!  

The carols

Even though it is a popular tradition, singing carols are on another level when it comes to the picturesque lands of Romania. In some areas of Romania, people of all ages dress in traditional clothes and start the morning by announcing the birth of Jesus through song. These enchanting songs are passed down through generations, carrying tales of joy and faith. The tradition is that on Christmas Eve, the lads (young unmarried boys) gather in the center of the village and go singing to the houses, one by one. In some regions, instruments like flutes and drums accompany the vocal performances. Carolers are greeted with open arms and warm hospitality. Usually, they are rewarded with nuts, apples, and rolls, each but meaning something: wealth, abundance, freshness. The tradition of Christmas caroling in Romania is a custom that connect people, and bridge generations, making the holiday season truly special. Everyone takes this tradition very seriously, so don’t be surprised if it is the only thing you will hear in December (everywhere!) will be Christmas carols!

The star

If you have had or will have the opportunity to be in the Romanian households during Christmas, you will hear little carolers singing Steaua sus răsare (The star rising). This song has the role of announcing the approach of Christmas in people’s homes and is sung by children disguised as magicians who carry a big star, beautifully decorated. On this star, you will notice, most of the time, an icon of the Mother with the baby Jesus. The Star is an integral part of the Christmas Eve customs. The groups of children usually start the tradition of The Star in the rural communities. As they visit each household, carolers sing melodious hymns, conveying good wishes and blessings for the inhabitants. The householders often welcome them warmly, offering treats, sweets, and small gifts as a symbol of appreciation for the performance.

The Goat (Capra)

You were in Romania in vain if you did not see the interpretation of this tradition! And believe me, I’m not kidding! Walking with the goat is one of the most significant traditions ever, a captivating and vibrant custom in Romanian culture. This tradition has existed for a very long time, being representative of an archaic period where games with masks were worn. This game is a tragic one that follows the fate of a sacred animal to the Romanians because it is tormented and even killed to later rise. A group of performers, often young men, or boys, don the attire of a goat, crafted with colorful fabrics, ribbons, bells, and sometimes a wooden frame to give it a distinct goat-like appearance. Lively music from drums, flutes and other instruments will accompany the performers who are dancing, leaping, and interacting with the audience. This tradition holds a lot of symbolic significance, representing the expulsion of negative energies, chasing away evil spirits, and bringing good luck, prosperity, and fertility for the upcoming year.

The Bear’s Dance

You may believe that all the Christmas traditions in Romania are amazing. Wait until you hear about the other ones that are announcing the upcoming year! In Moldova, on New Year’s Eve, you will meet the habit of walking with the Bear. Of course, there are masks, costumes, dancing, and singing. Participants are dressed like bears, and they wear crafted costumes made from fur, typically resembling a bear’s appearance, complete with masks or headpieces that represent the bears’ head. To the rhythms of drums and whistles, the Bear dances in swaying steps, purifying, and fertilizing the soil on which he steps. This tradition is so old that it is believed to date back to Dacian times, and it is often associated with the awaking of nature, the cycle of life, and fertility. The bear itself represents power and strength, the connection between the human and the animal worlds.

The Christmas tree

The Christmas tree is not missing from the homes of Romanians either, but this evergreen tree has a very important role. At every important moment in a person’s life, the Christmas tree is present – Christmas, baptism, marriage, and even a funeral. In this case, the Christmas tree is decorated and prepared for the long-awaited gifts of Santa Claus. The Christmas tree symbolizes life, renewal, and hope for the new season. Families decorate their trees with colorful ornaments, lights, and other handmade decorations, figures, and ribbons. Decorating the Christmas tree itself is a real tradition in Romania, all members of the family come together to choose the perfect tree, embellish it, play some festive music on sourdine, and serve some mulled wine. In all this time, carolers are knocking at the door, singing the most beautiful songs, perfect for this festive time, and the cozonaci (the specific Romanian Christmas dessert) are baked. What could be more perfect than this?

The Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, housewives are busy preparing traditional dishes – soup, sarmale, sausages, cozonac, and cakes. The house also shines with cleanliness and carolers are waiting. The men make sure that everything is clean and tidy, but outside the house and they take care not to be indebted to anyone and to return the borrowed ones. The biggest sin that can be done during this time is not to receive carolers! Therefore, the hosts greet them on the doorstep and listen to them carefully. The carolers are invited to the house and served with freshly made goodies, and then another carol is sung, two,, especially after a glass of mulled wine. Also, religious rituals are very important. On Christmas Eve, many Romanians attend church services, participating in special liturgies and ceremonies that celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Furthermore, as a part of Christmas traditions, many Romanians choose to fast, consuming meals that include fish and vegetarian dishes. Christmas Eve is, mostly, a time for families to come together and celebrate the holiday spirit. They exchange gifts that were carefully picked to show others love and appreciation.

The Pig slaughter

Pig alms, cutting the pig, fattening the pig on the eve – it all has to do with this tradition! Because of the fast that the Romanians keep, the slaughter of the pig is usually postponed until after the eve. The pigs are fattened and ready for Christmas. And the day it is cut is a great celebration, especially after a long period of fasting! The big event begins early in the morning and involves a group effort. The family and loved ones gather the pork is cut, the fresh meat is fried, it is eaten with polenta and pickles, and the wine barrels are opened! Pig slaughter is a communal activity where family members, neighbors, and friends come together to assist in this process. This is the real sense of friendship and cooperation, very often accompanied by shared meals, traditional music, and, of course, the exchange of stories and experiences. The poor are given alms, and the little ones gather to eat șorici. Then the meat is separated and portioned for various culinary purposes. The delicious meat is preserved through techniques such as salting, smoking, and curing to create sausages, bacon, and other preserved meats that will last through the cold winter months.

On New Year’s Eve, we receive the Sorcova and the Plugușor

What could be more beautiful than stepping into the new year with good wishes? This is exactly the purpose of walking with Sorcova and Plugușorul. Carolers of all ages who cross the threshold of your house will fill you with good wishes for the new year, bringing you prosperity, abundance. Sorcova is a delightful Romanian tradition that takes place on January 1^st as a part of New Year’s customs. Of course, the children love this tradition, especially because they go door to door, bringing good luck and prosperity to their families and friends. The central element of this ritual is a decorated stick, adorned with colorful ribbons, artificial flowers, and other small ornaments. As they go from house to house, they recite a very special verse, rhythmically waving the decorated stick as part of the ritual. The verse typically conveys blessings, and good wishes for health, happiness, and success in the New Year. It is a very special moment when the atmosphere is filled with joy. Plugușorul is a habit that wishes rich fruit, leading to agriculture. As you can guess, this custom involves a group of young people who are visiting homes to perform a special ritual with songs and good wishes for the new year. The children (or teenagers) are dressed in traditional costumes or colorful clothes and their performance involves reciting verses that convey well-wishes, blessings, and hopes for the prosperity of the household in the coming year. Also, this tradition, very popular in the rural area, symbolizes the celebration of the New Year, the arrival of spring. Like Sorcova, Plugușorul fosters a sense of community and friendship. The performers receive warm hospitality as they visit households, and in return, they bring joy, blessings, and a festive atmosphere to the homes they visit.

So many countries, so many traditions … surely those in Romania are worthy of being seen with your own eyes! You will discover a multitude of practices, most of them with deep meanings behind them that will tell you more about these people than any other article on the internet! As you just read, Christmas and New Year traditions in Romania are woven with threads of ancient beliefs, communal spirit, and hopeful anticipation for the year ahead. From the decorative Sorcova sticks carrying wishes of abundance to the heartwarming Plugușorul performances, each tradition paints a picture of hope, joy, and unity. And if you are preparing for a trip, it doesn’t hurt to have a few words that are right for you! I am waiting for you at the online Romanian language courses where we will discover notions of vocabulary together, but we will also talk about such traditions! We can find here a nice community of people who love Romanian the language and its unique traditions and culture! Hai noroc! (Cheers!)