Funeral traditions of the Romanians on the left bank of the Prut River: the case study of the Cimișeni village (Criuleni district) Cover Image

Tradițiile de înmormântare la românii din stânga Prutului: studiu de caz satul Cimișeni, raionul Criuleni
Funeral traditions of the Romanians on the left bank of the Prut River: the case study of the Cimișeni village (Criuleni district)

Author(s): Carolina Cotoman
Subject(s): Cultural history, Customs / Folklore, Local History / Microhistory, Oral history, Cultural Anthropology / Ethnology
Published by: Institutul Patrimoniului Cultural al Academiei de Științe a Moldovei
Keywords: alms ("pomana"); funeral; the world beyond; soul; tradition.

Summary/Abstract: This article presents a description of the sequence of the burial ritual that is currently practiced in the village of Cimișeni, Criuleni district. The aim of the study is to better understand the traditions and spiritual manifestations of the traditional man, his relationship with the environment at a crucial moment in life, by analyzing various rituals we were able to observe what are the traditional folk beliefs related to death. In this area, conservative features have been preserved until now, the locals have managed to preserve most of their customs in the form in which they were practiced by their ancestors. We will try to focus on some essential and at the same time indicative aspects, such as: the meaning of customs and traditions for a person; how are life and death represented in the imagination of a traditional religious person. At the same time, the message will briefly present the main elements of the burial customs of the village of Cimișeni, Criuleni district. These are: ominous signs of death with practices to alleviate death and three main stages characteristic of the rites of passage (separation from the world of the living, preparation of the deceased for the transition to another world and integration into the other world). However, it should be noted that this area is also gradually losing its customs as a result of globalization, so I think it is important to capture and record these customs and traditions.

  • Issue Year: XXXVI/2024
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 144-151
  • Page Count: 8
  • Language: Romanian
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