In the traditional Vlach/Aromanian communities of Timočka Krajina, the passing of a loved one is marked by a series of rituals and customs. This article explores the poignant moments surrounding death and rituals that define this cultural experience.
Death and Rituals
When someone passes away in a Vlach/Aromanian household, a poignant ritual unfolds. The oldest woman from the family emerges, sitting at the door by its corner – a place also referred to as a cross. Her painful weeping is soon joined by other women, taking turns to mourn. Together, they recollect the good deeds of the deceased during the 24 hours they remain in the house.
During this time, men stand as guards next to the body. While neighbors and relatives observe closely, anticipating where the soul will depart. Careful bathing and dressing of the deceased follows. With a lingering fear that a cat might jump over the body, potentially turning it into a vampire if it lies on the blanket.
Preventive Measures After Death
In instances of uncertainty about the person’s death, preventive measures are taken. The living may poke the deceased with a hawthorn thorn in the stomach or remove hairs from under the armpits and genitals, burning them with the smoke of dead incense. The unspoken rule persists: the deceased person’s bed remains empty.
In some regions of Timočka Krajina, Vlachs/Aromanians engage in a unique candle ritual. A thin layer of candle wax is poured next to the head of the deceased, covering the entire height of the body. This candle burns continuously day and night while the deceased is in the house, accompanies the funeral procession, and is left to burn to the end in the cemetery.
Funeral Rituals
The significance of how the deceased is placed in the coffin is paramount. The coffin must have a beautiful, usually white satin cover, along with a blanket and a pillow filled with garlic. Personal items are added by the living, such as a stick and a knife for the elderly, a bottle of brandy and wine. For a young girl, a mirror, a comb, and soap are included. Additionally, everyone brings a bag of sweets placed in the hand of the deceased and a flask of water.
Before the deceased is taken out of the house, family members collectively grab hold of the coffin, uttering, “We are dragging you, don’t drag us.” At the cemetery, a family member descends into the coffin before the deceased. Candles are lit in each of the four corners of the grave, and wine is poured on the ground. Recognizing the soul’s inclination to hide, Vlach/Aromanians consider it crucial to erect a monument to the deceased. Many plan their death during their lifetime, choosing the shape and color of the stone according to their taste.
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There’s a huge confusion here. There are no Aromanians in Timok Valley, Aromanians are much further south. The Romanians in Timok Valley speak the Dacoromanian dialect, not the Aromanian Dialect.