PEŢITUL – UN CONTRACT NESCRIS (MERSUL LA PEŢIT ŞI PE VEDERE ÎN SATELE SĂLĂJENE)
MATCH MAKING – AN UNWRITTEN CONTRACT (MATCH MAKING AND PROPOSING MARRIAGE IN SĂLAJ COUNTY VILLAGES)

Summary/Abstract: The period prior to wedding was divided into several temporal and acting segments which were to be mandatorily „consumed” in the traditional community. Wedding was perceived as a major event in peoples’ lifetime – one of which not only the wellbeing was dependent but also the social statute of that person. This, in turn, brought with itself the respect of the community and the proof of social inclusion – it required special preparation. Concretely, the finalizing of a young couple in marriage had to meet at least two requirements: the two youths must have had a mutual agreement, and the parents must have given their consent. If the two were getting together well, they would announce their intentions at home in the first stage and if the parents agreed, then the parents of the lad would go, accompanied by himself, to ask the girl to marry him, at the girl’s house. The event of asking her hand meant that that girl was officially – if you will – made aware of the intentions of the groom to become. The suitors discussed the wedding arrangements, after which a series of details were negotiated upon concerning the girl’s dowry, until they all agreed. An important moment (maybe the most important) within the process of asking the girl’s hand was that of discussing about the dowry. That was the moment in which the material base of the new family was created or consolidated, fact which was to confirm the statute and hierarchical position of this family in the community and village.

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