Anca CEAUŞESCU, Traditions, customs and ritual practices related to The Great Departure along the Oltenian Danube Valley

Anca CEAUȘESCU
3rd Degree Scientific Researcher, PhD., “C.S. Nicolăescu-Plopşor” Institute for Research in Social Studies and Humanities from Craiova, of the Romanian Academy;
E-mail: ancaceausescu@yahoo.com.

Abstract:
The last of the three major biological thresholds, the death phenomenon involves an irreversible transition from the “white world” into “the world beyond the world”, a world represented by an imaginary model.
Ritual practices provided by this event are meant to lighten the parting for the deceased, safely from this world to guide it to the World beyond, and to protect him of the evil spirits and furthermore to ensure him the inclusion on the other land. At the same time, rites are being carried out to restore the moral and social balance of the family and the wider community.

Keywords
Oltenia, funeral ceremony, habits, ritual practices, traditional mentality.