02:32Dozens of residents of Comanesti, a village about 310 kilometres north of Bucharest, paraded through the streets wearing traditional bear costumes during the local Christmas festivities on Monday.
The costumes were made from real bear fur and decorated with colourful belts, pins and tassels, while the 'bears' visit homes in the village to spread joy and good luck.
"In the past, as is the case today, the bears were walking in the village to cure sick people, especially with backache. The bear was dancing in their backyard and they were cured. Now we go with the bears to get rid of evil spirits, to welcome the New Year and to bring joy to the people," explained Ionut, one of the participants.
The tradition stems from pre-Christian times, which saw people dressed in animal furs or coloured costumes performing a ritual to ward off evil spirits. A bear was considered a sacred animal in ancient Romania and according to legend would bring luck, health and well-being.
'Bear-y' Christmas! Romanian town hosts traditional 'bear dance' costume parade
Dozens of residents of Comanesti, a village about 310 kilometres north of Bucharest, paraded through the streets wearing traditional bear costumes during the local Christmas festivities on Monday.
The costumes were made from real bear fur and decorated with colourful belts, pins and tassels, while the 'bears' visit homes in the village to spread joy and good luck.
"In the past, as is the case today, the bears were walking in the village to cure sick people, especially with backache. The bear was dancing in their backyard and they were cured. Now we go with the bears to get rid of evil spirits, to welcome the New Year and to bring joy to the people," explained Ionut, one of the participants.
The tradition stems from pre-Christian times, which saw people dressed in animal furs or coloured costumes performing a ritual to ward off evil spirits. A bear was considered a sacred animal in ancient Romania and according to legend would bring luck, health and well-being.
Dozens of residents of Comanesti, a village about 310 kilometres north of Bucharest, paraded through the streets wearing traditional bear costumes during the local Christmas festivities on Monday.
The costumes were made from real bear fur and decorated with colourful belts, pins and tassels, while the 'bears' visit homes in the village to spread joy and good luck.
"In the past, as is the case today, the bears were walking in the village to cure sick people, especially with backache. The bear was dancing in their backyard and they were cured. Now we go with the bears to get rid of evil spirits, to welcome the New Year and to bring joy to the people," explained Ionut, one of the participants.
The tradition stems from pre-Christian times, which saw people dressed in animal furs or coloured costumes performing a ritual to ward off evil spirits. A bear was considered a sacred animal in ancient Romania and according to legend would bring luck, health and well-being.