Story and customs of momârlani, one of the oldest communities in Romania

Somewhere in the mountain areas of Jiu Valley, one of the old communities in Romania is finding shelter. Momârlanii, allegedly the Dacians’ direct descendants settled on Jiu River valley, are known as one of the oldest rural community in Romania. They still preserved some ancient customs and traditions, some of them dating back before the Christian period, which made their story and history even  more fascinating despite the fact that the community is more and more limited.

Momârlani community, settled down between Șureanu and Parâng mountains, counts about 15,000-20,000 people, according to the latest statistics.

Due to the mining exploitations developed by the communist regime in the region and to the urban evolution, they were forced to draw back to the surrounding hills and mountains. However, they are known as the first inhabitants of the mountain settlements on Jiu Valley, on the shore of East and West Jiu River, long time before the coal land started luring people from other regions of the country.

Even now, in a high-speeding technology era, some of the community members managed to live their lives according to their ancient traditions. The are usually building their houses the same way their Dacian ancestors used to do, their traditional folk costumes are like the ones worn by Dacians, while some still bury the dead in the houses’ gardens so that their souls should be peaceful.

The houses are made of uncarved logs linked by square or rectangular joggles. Their clothes consist of tight trousers and long shirt up to the knee.

As for the burial customs, the habit to bury the dead near the residence dates back more than 500 years ago. They say that the dead should stay near the family, even after his or her death so that they could regain the supreme peace and should not turn into evil beings, namely ghosts or poltergeist.

Some other customs still practiced by this community is the blood brotherhoods or ‘măsuratul oilor’, a tradition that measures the sheep milk of every herdsman.

Customs are also present on big religious holidays, such as Christmas or Easter.

“Colindul Pițărăilor” is carol habit practiced on the Christmas Eve, a procession led by young boys bearing adorned flags that remind of the old Dacian flag.

Nedeile is a custom practiced by momârlani on Easter. More precisely, for a week starting the first day of Easter, each community of momârlani is gathering on the hills near the churches to attend the traditional rustic feasts, also know as Nedei. The climax of the Nedei is the so-called wake, an abundant meal that has to be blessed by priests first.

At the same time, momârlan women used to go down from the mountains on horseback to sell milk to the town dwellers.

The momârlani community is usually living without cars and phones, and even without electricity. Money has no value in this community, as people are usually obeying the elders’ advice that says that everybody’s harvest is shared where necessary. Few of the community members are talking to strangers or with the journalists.

Two museums in Petrosani are displaying the objects and traditional stories on the momârlani.