Calușarii

1. Calușarii

2.

• The Călușari were the members of a
Romanian fraternal secret society who
practiced a ritual acrobatic dance
known as the căluș. According to the
Romanian historian Mircea Eliade, the
Călușari were known for "their ability
to create the impression of flying in the
air"[1] which he believed represented
both the galloping of a horse and the
dancing of the fairies (zîne). Indeed,
the group’s patron was the "Queen of
the Fairies" (Doamna Zînelor), who was
also known as Irodiada and Arada, and
who Eliade connected with the folkloric
figure Diana

3.

• The origins of the Călușari are unknown, although the first written attestations
are from the 17th century musical notations of Ioan Căianu. Eliade noted that
"Although the oath taken is made in the name of God, the mythico-ritual
scenario enacted by the calusari has nothing in common with Christianity" and
that, in the 19th century at least, there was clerical opposition to the group, with
its members being excluded from taking communion for three years in some
regions.

4.

• Traditionally, the Călușari group is a secret, male-only society associated with a
spring rite, possibly a remnant of tribal warrior societies. The group leader
(usually an older man) recruits a number of acolytes, always young, single adults
chosen for physical prowess. The group members take an oath of secrecy,
whereupon they participate in an initiation rite and taught the forms of the
dance. The groups of Călușari roam the country in spring-time, visiting villages by
turns and taking part in the week-end dances - hora.

5.

• The căluș is a male group dance, although there are records of traditions
from Oltenia region that included 1-2 young girls, now obsolete. A "bride" would
be chosen by the group from each village they passed through, based on her
dancing skills. The "bride" would be oath-bound to join in the ritual dance, for
three years in a row.

6.

• Dancers wear white trousers and white tunics, with brightly coloured ribbons
streaming from their hats. Bells are attached to their ankles, and dances include
the use of ornate sticks held upright whilst dancing, or pointing at the ground as
a prop. The dance itself is highly acrobatic, emphasizing extension and high
jumps, much like the Ceili dance.