Romanian Folk costume in the village of Cucoi, Titești commune, Valcea county

Angelica Danciu, Bistrita County of Romania

The Romanian folk costume is the living testimony of the historical continuity and spiritual unity of the inhabitants of the Romanian lands, and together with the other historical evidence, demonstrates our permanence on these lands.

The comparison between the folk costume and the oak tree with deep and sturdy roots that resist storms is accurate because it has managed to remain in the ancestral home unchanged, facing the hardships of history.

In the Romanian villages, the folk costume was worn with some differences, depending on the social position of the person wearing it, the age, and the context: on working days or holidays.

Angelica introduces us to a traditional Romanian costume (see above photo) from the village of Cucoi, Tinesti comune, Valcea county, made by her family members and passed down through the generations.

This women's shirt is characterized by a wider cut, both in length and width - the chest and sleeves are folded around the neck and decorated in different patterns and colors.

The sleeves, with the trefoil and rivers, are the original stitching from 1900, the work of Mother Floarea, Angelica's grandmother's sister-in-law.

The long skirt, accompanied on holidays by a particular skirt, are worn almost to the knee. They are sewn 'in the key' with a needle. Over it, the apron, made of beads, is sewn with serpentine motifs on a black background, cut with great skill. When the aprons are not worn, the "fota" is worn.

The skirt stitching is also original from 1900 and the work of Mother Floarea, Angelica's grandmother's sister-in-law. The black apron, original hem from 1900, is the work of Mother Maria, Angelica's mother's side grandmother.

A beaded or often woven waistband with place-specific features is also added, tightened multiple times around the waist. The women wear the 'rag' on their heads - a loom woven from silk thread. On their feet they wore pigskin skulls, tied with "nojițe" made of belt or string.

The Rag, is the original fabric, from 1950, Angelica's mother's work, Eftenie Elena, born 8 November 1931.

We are deeply grateful to Angelica for graciously sending and allowing us to publish this marvelous folk costume and its history.