Marea Trecere. Sensuri şi mărturii
The Great Passage. Significance and Testimonies

Summary/Abstract: The paper is based on field researches undertaken in 1998-2000 in Roşcani and Mihăieşti villages (Hunedoara District). Starting from several personal narratives and ethnographic descriptions recorded in these villages, we outline some characteristics of the funeral rites based on mythic structures and representations. We draw a parallel between the informers’ testimonies and the ethnological opinions of Ion H. Ciubotaru’s as formulated in his book, The Great Passage. We analyze the rites that are intended to ensure the community’s protection against the unexpected return of the dead as malefic spirit and the reflection of beliefs in ceremonial practices and also in the stories. Although people accomplish all these rites, ’the restless dead’ is a strange but not upsetting presence either as a dream vision or as a ghost haunting in their household, on the cornfield or on the narrow streets of the village. Sometimes these spirits seem to keep important protective features defining themselves as guardians of the family’s or of the community’s traditions.

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