Christmas carols, caroling and wishes in Codru - Valea Salajului area. Study
of sociocultural anthropology (III)
The ancient tradition of caroling has been preserved until today a little
altered among the Romanians of Codru - Valea Sălajului area. Being a well-
wishing salutation on the occasion of the Nativity and the beginning of a new
year, the caroling is specific to the archaic rural communities inhabited by
livestock breeders and farmers. Because the tradition was and still is
practiced on Christmas Eve, that is, around the New Year, a time when people
hold many hopes, its whole unfolding is festive and solemn, and the texts of
the carols and the final thanks, are totally optimistic and auspicious. In all
the villages of the area, the long-awaited and carefully prepared Christmas
evening creates a wonderful folk show that unfolds directly on the great scene
of life, as all folk creations used to live in the patriarchal village. Over
the course of time, here as everywhere, the practice of this tradition follows
some well-established and unwritten, but strictly respected rules. As the
tradition is celebrated only once in a year, pre-training becomes necessary.
People organize their bands of carol singers and learn together the repertoire
of carols and wishes or thanks.
AUGUSTIN MOCANU
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