2626-2628 ROMANIA (Braşov) - The Pentecost in Şona

2626 The Pentecost in Şona - Lads and girls in the courtyard of the host.

For residents of Şona, a village located on the right bank of the Olt River, at 5 km from Făgăraş, in the ethnographic area of Târnava Mare, the Pentecost (the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Jesus), celebrated by Christians at 50 days after the Easter, is the most important holiday. On this occasion, the group of lads constituted at the Christmas resumes its activity and sing carols to the householders homes, along with the village girls.

2627 The Pentecost in Şona - The cart with girls in the courtyard of the host.

The group of lads on horseback, accompanied by a cart to which, until the 1950s, were yoked the most beautiful oxen, and now the most beautiful horses, is the pride of the village. Even if the celebration has undergone in time changes, it kept some significant archaic elements. After Christmas, the lads chose another leader, named summer mayor, which coordinate the activities of the year, and designated the host (the owner of the most beautiful horses), from who will start the showiness on the day of Pentecost.

2628 The Pentecost in Şona - The showiness of lads

In the past, on the Pentecost eve, the lads gathered oak leaves and twigs of hazel in the woods, and the girls picked field flowers to decorate the cart and horses. In nowadays are made crepe paper flowers. The next morning, the lads wash the horses in the River Olt, and go to the girls, who put woolen blankets with tassels (lepedeu) under saddles, and adorn the harnesses with flowers (căpeţel). Then the lads and girls gather in the courtyard of the host, where is the adorned cart, and go to the church.

After the religious ceremony, the group returns to the host, from where go caroling through the village. The summer mayor and his deputy go in front of showiness, followed by the other lads on horseback and the cart with girls. First are caroled the mayor and the officials, and then all other householders. Are sung two carols: "Arise, my Transylvanian brother" and "Green Leaflet of Oak" (only to the homes where are girls). Lads are rewarded with money and drink. On the second day of Pentecost, the boys organize a ball.

About the stamps
On the postcard 2626 and 2627
About the stamp, issued to celebrate the Christmas 2012, I wrote here.

On the postcard 2628

The stamp was issued on November 20, 2009, to celebrate Christmas 2009. It illustrates the image of the icon of Lord's Birth from Buna Vestire Church - St. Anthony the Great - Old Court - Bucharest.

Sender 2626-2628: Dănuţ Ivănescu
2626: Sent from Buşteni (Prahova / Romania), on 04.08.2015
2627: Sent from Buşteni (Prahova / Romania), on 05.08.2015
2628: Sent from Sinaia (Prahova / Romania), on 07.08.2015
Photo: Muzeul de Etnografie Braşov