In Oltenia, Easter is still celebrated with sanctity, especially in the rural area, preserving the customs of the ancestors.
On Holy Saturday, women devote themselves to culinary preparations for the festive meal. The new clothes, brought especially for this occasion, are carefully laid out, ready to be worn to church, on the way to relatives or to the village hall.
In the days when shirts and clothes were handmade, the attention to detail was second to none. At Easter, a white linen shirt finely stitched with vibrant patterns and colors was considered a symbol of tradition.
In the evening, the housewives carefully prepared the baskets to be taken to the church for consecration. Symbolic elements were placed in each basket: a clean woven doormat, a candle, fried eggs, Easter, scones, bacon, sugar, salt and a sprig of basil. These objects, once consecrated, became a form of protection and cure.
After the resurrection service, people returned home with lit candles, blessing their homes and family members. Candles were kept for times of trouble or illness, and the consecrated products were considered to bring good luck and health for the whole year.
On another note, Easter traditions and superstitions are still held sacred. Sleeping on Easter Day is frowned upon, being associated with bad luck and loss of abundance. Eating the first Easter egg is considered a ritual of health, and the collision of eggs can even have spiritual connotations, promising encounters beyond this world.
From keeping the red egg for good luck, to the custom of placing a piece of iron under the threshold of the house for protection, Easter traditions in Oltenia transcend the simple celebration, becoming living stories and lessons for everyday life. Even today, Easter is celebrated with sanctity, even in the urban environment, in Oltenia. The frying of eggs, going to the Easter service and the family meal remain the special elements of the holiday.
Tags: Easter traditions superstitions Oltenia
