The Bear Dance
The fact that there used to be a master of ceremonies in charge with keeping ceremonial customs confirms the magnitude of these sumptuous and typically Oriental manifestations. The Bear Dance, highly appreciated, took place regardless of the date. Victor Bilciulescu placed
Traditional Animal Ecology
see Gallery In the case of primitive or rural cultures, one can undoubtedly speak of elements of ecology well before the term itself was ever used. This is even more natural when considering that the life of traditional communities maintained an organic relationship with
The Raven: A Totem Or A Bad Omen
Scientific classification Class AVES Order PASSERIFORMES Family CORVIDAE Sub-family CORVINAE Genera and species CORVUS CORAX CORAX – the raven CORVUS CORONE CORONE – the black crow CORVUS FRUGILENUS FRUGILENUS – the rook COLEUS MONEDULA SPERMOLOGUS – the Jackdaw
Romanian Ornamental Wall Cloths With Zoomorphic And Avimorphic Motifs
from the collection of the Folk Art Museum in Tulcea see Gallery 1. General considerations In the context of the Romanian traditional fabrics ‘stergarele’ (cloths) represent a category with multiple functions: pieces for decorating or adorning the house , pieces
I Saw A Bear
Yesterday I saw a bear in the woods. It was very big and it took a long look at me. I don’t know if there was carelessness, sadness, or something similar to expectation in his eyes, but it sure wasn’t anger. The woods where I saw it was Băneasa, at the Zoo on the edge
Chamois: Black Beauties On Mountain Tops
People feel that encountering a Chamois on the highest peaks of the Carpathian Mountains is something very special indeed, an opportunity to be proud of. The Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra)1 is certainly an exceptional creature in our fauna. They only roam the limited space
Killer Bears
More bear attacks occur each year, often in cities or villages, with human victims killed or severely wounded. Romania is now known as the country of the 6,000 bears, at a time when the optimum calculated number would be 4,400. So, this country has the largest number of
From Physiologus To Bestiary: Function And Desideratum
Towards the end of the 12th century, in full maturity of the Romanesque order—and this concordance is purely symptomatic—a new type of book was created: The Bestiary with illuminations, which would have a particular impact and an overwhelming influence among educated
Icebergs Ahead!
an interview with Cristian LASCUCristian Lascu is editor in chief of National Geographic Romania, a speleologist and researcher. His CV features a variety of activities and awards: he is a national judo champion, scuba diver, founder of the Group for Underwater and Speleological
From The Mountains To The Sea
During autumn and winter, migrating peregrines come to our country from the north, looking for prey in the fields as well. However, the ones who nest here can also be seen in the mountains during the warm season. Another bigger bird of prey, which also lives in rocky regions,
The Goldfinch
Minstrel— how your coat is patched!Joy into our homes you’ve hatched. Under the bright and credulous gaze of a child, I sat last night and listened to his story. Once upon a time—a long, long time ago—we were caught in a dreary winter. Snowstorms had filled up
Dogs And Romanians
Mihai Eminescu published an article entitled “What happens when dogs are not looked after” in Curierul de Iasi, no. 129 of 26 November 1876. The text was the following: “D. N. Pascu, deputy-prefect in Dorohoi, was bitten by a rabid dog while strolling on the streets