Welcome to Unseen Romania!
You are here because you want to read articles about the places you can visit while you're traveling to and through Romania. Enjoy your stay and have a look through our articles about the Romanian culture, history and tourist attractions.
We hope you're going to find our site useful and you'll consider to travel Romania.
- Articles
- Targoviste – A Capital’s CharmDrobeta Turnu Severin – A Bridge Across The AgesSearching For Tranquility Around BucharestCalimanesti, Olanesti, Govora – Oltenia’s Health SpringsAlba Iulia and Codex AureusIasi – A City Imbued With History and CultureThe Deva Fortress – Active Witness to Transylvania’s HistoryRupea Stronghold, The Core of Brasov CountyScarisoara Cave, Glacier Chill in Summer TimeMuierilor Cave, Symbol of Fertility and HolinessOrsova – Heavy Industry Meets the Roman EmpireThe Heaven of Cherry Orchards, in CetateleCurtisoara Museum – a Cradle of SpiritualityBaile Felix – a Balneary Resort for All AgesIzei Valley – Maramures Finest Traditions and LocationsHarman – A Small Part of Brasov’s CultureMuseums and places to visit in OradeaVidraru Dam and Lake, a Wonder of Nature, Confined by ManAncient Cities in the Constanta AreaSfantul Ioan Domnesc Monument-Church – The Shadow of Stefan cel MarePutna Monastery – The Spiritual Center of MoldaviaOcnele Mari: Salt Mines, Spa and Rich HistoryBaile Govora – One of The Oldest Romanian SpasCraiova – The Heart of OlteniaRules for Visiting the Protected Nature AreasArad – One Millenia on the Banks of MuresTargu Jiu and the Endless ColumnBucura Lake – The Largest Glacier Lake in RomaniaTraveling to Sfantu GheorgheLipscani – “The Old Leipzig” of BucharestCule – Strange Strongholds of a Riotous PastVatra DorneiCluj NapocaDobrudja and the Danube DeltaBucharest – an european capitalBrasov – Part of the “Heart” of RomaniaTimisoara, Little ViennaRosia MontanaPeriam “Rock la Mures” FestSinaiaVama VecheSighisoara, medieval heavenHunedoaraSighisoaraSibiu – modernity with a German touchA visit in Piatra-NeamtVama Veche versus MamaiaThe mountain tourism in RomaniaA trip to Muntii ApuseniAn incursion in legends – BranTrips and winter sports on Valea PrahoveiTransilvania – The medieval land of StrongholdsBucovina and Northern MoldaviaMaramures – A Land From TalesTan and Fun at the Black SeaA wild land – The Danube Delta
Afterwards, locations can be added by right clicking on the map.
Harman – A Small Part of Brasov’s Culture
Traditions
Among the traditions and habits kept during the years by the dwellers of Harman, the most important are: the Penasi Ball (1-8 January), the Maial (May 1) and the Harman Days (15 august). The Penasi Ball takes place in the first week following New Year's Eve and is related to the local young men's leaving to join the army. They travel across the village, dressed in traditional costumes and wearing hats with feathers. The little march ends with a party involving the entire community.
The Maial is an outdoor celebration of spring time, dedicated originally to the gods of vegetation, protectors of cattle, horses, crops, vineyards and trees. Maial is also called Arminden and it's celebrated on May 1st. The traditions of this holiday are: adorning the gate and house pillars with a green branch, that is also placed at all entrances and even in barns, to protect people and cattle from evil spirits; "planting" a tall pole with green branches on top in the middle of the village, on the field and near a herd of sheep. Sometimes, the pole is replaced with an entire tree, with its branches cut and adorned with flowers and cereals. The tree/pole is known as Arminden, Maial of May Tree.
People gather on the field, or in the forest, in vineyards and orchards, where they eat roast lamb and drink red wine, in order to "change their blood" and protect humans and cattle from illness. There's also the tradition of rolling on the grass, washing the hands and face with dew, calling the names of all ghosts in order to stop them from cursing the crops and cattle. Also, this is the perfect time to seed the first beans and cucumbers.
Long ago, Arminden was considered the beginning of summer and the deadline for seeding corn. During the centuries, the habit of placing green branches near entrances was associated with the New Testament, particularly with the night when Irod killed all the babies in a village, while searching for baby Jesus. After cutting the heads of children for an entire day, the soldiers left green branches at the last place where they had killed babies, in order to start all over the next day. During the night, everyone put green branches at the entrances of their houses, cheating Irod and saving baby Jesus.
The Harman Days are celebrated in mid August and they’re dedicated to the entire area, being a moment of recollection for the past events, that must be known by younger men and women and passed on. A religious mass is also included in the celebrations and during this holiday, local folks wear their best traditional costumes, specific to the region. During the Harman Days, many artists sing and dance and there's also a craftsmen fair.
Author: Alex Stanescu
Pages: Page 1 Page 2
Spread the word about Romania! Share this article and let others know about the experiences Romania has to offer.
Write a comment
Required fields are marked with *.