Culture Ursari

1 culture

1.1 identity
1.2 ursari , bears
1.3 music

culture

identity

the ursari among groups of roma practice endogamy, alongside kalderash, lovari , gabori; many mechkara believe refer vlachs or romanians , , tend consider distinct other roma. ursari community @ large, rules upheld prevent sexual contact gadjo , favor arranged marriages, seem have allowed intermarriage inside boyash community @ large. among few roma groups allow marriage of young teenagers, although custom falling out of use.

eastern orthodox tradition (belonging either romanian orthodox or bulgarian orthodox churches), many ursari adhering protestant movements such pentecostalism. ursari in serbia , italy members of serbian orthodox church. days of calendar traditionally upheld holidays ursari include february 1, first day of fair seasons, , orthodox calendar november 30 feast of saint andrew (whom ursari people regard patron saint). in first decade of 21st century, new testament being translated ursari form of balkan romani language.

ursari , bears


paul wayland bartlett, bohemian bear tamer (1888 cast)

as aspect of trade, ursari have established , encouraged various folk beliefs , customs involving bear; these include displaying bears in courtyards of village houses means protect livestock attack smaller wild animals, , călcătura ursului ( bear step ) or călcătura lui moş martin ( old boy martin s step , based on common nickname animal), involves allowing bears tread on person s (in belief can ensure fertility of young people or chase away evil spirits).

the latter custom popular among romanians, viewed folk remedy pain; welcoming ursari 1 s household perform task formed part of string of events leading celebration of easter, or part of customs ushering in christmas , new years eve.

among members of ursari community manufactured objects of bone, became widespread treat material bear fat, luxury which, believed, helped make products in question more durable. fat being sold romanians medicine combat rheumatism , skeletal disorders, bear hairs popular amulet.

the practices associated bear training have again been focus of animal welfare groups ever since 1990s, , subject adverse campaign in international herald tribune. while noting use of crude methods of training, isabel fonseca, visited ursari in places such bolintin deal , stara zagora province, argued that, main bread-winners ursari families, bears recipients of care, attention, , proper feeding.

several artists have portrayed romani bear trainers , animals in work. among them romanian painter , graphic artist theodor aman , american sculptor paul wayland bartlett (whose 1888 bohemian bear tamer bronze on display @ metropolitan museum of art in new york city).

music

while, ever since 1850s, many ursari musicians have contributed lăutari culture point have grown separated original environment, traditional ursari music survived separate genre; fused electronic music, popularized in 21st century romania shukar collective project.

a chant used ursari trainers has passed romanian folklore nursery rhyme. includes lyrics:

a longer version of still being sung ursari in bacău county 2007: