Măștile zoomorfe din ciclul obiceiurilor de iarnă din Moldova – între demonic, exotic și sălbatic (I)
The Zoomorphic Masks of Moldavia’s Winter Customs – Between Demonic, Exotic and Barbaric (I)

Summary/Abstract: The zoomorphic winter masks in Moldavia reflect an ancient European tradition in which masked performers, often disguised as animals, engage in community rituals. These masks evoke wild, exotic behaviors through animal-like movements and sounds, symbolizing a deep connection to nature. Traditionally, these masks served a ritualistic function that later evolved into a more playful, community-based role, retaining their symbolic power. In Romanian and European folklore, animal and human-like masks represent a blend of wild and supernatural traits, marking the transition between human and non-human realms. The materials used range from animal skins to modern industrial items, contributing to their authenticity. The masks serve various purposes, from satirical and caricatured portrayals to representations of supernatural or medieval “wild men”. They often appear in rites of passage and festivals, temporarily subverting social norms and offering a cathartic release before reintegration into the community. This liminal function allows them to symbolize the boundary between the domestic and wild worlds, reflecting the economic and spiritual concerns of pastoral societies by merging humans and animals in dramatic forms. Particularly significant is the stag mask, originating from early Christian Europe when the church sought to eradicate such pagan practices. Early religious texts reveal that ecclesiastical authorities viewed these rituals as remnants of idol worship, embodying demonic figures that they condemned for corrupting faith. Despite such opposition, the stag mask persisted, especially in Eastern Europe where local wildlife, including deer, remained abundant. While Western Europe saw a decline in these practices, Eastern Europe retained the stag mask as a cultural symbol. Here, it is often associated with other animal masks, like the goat, and serves as a powerful expression of spiritual and cultural identity, highlighting the transformative symbolism of nature-based rituals.

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