Oaș Country Museum is located at 140 Victoriei Street, in Negrești-Oaș, and is open from Monday to Friday between 8-16. Admission costs 3 ron.
Oaș Country Museum presents in a very evocative way the elements that highlight the particularities of Țara Oașului related to the household, people, occupations, customs, all enriched by a professional guide using the regionalisms of the Oaș region. The museum also has an open-air section called the Museum of the Ossetian Village, presented separately. The museum's website is https://oasmuseum.ro/.
The household reflects the wealth and status of the homestead. The houses are monocellular, bicellular or tricellular. Those with one room are called shutee. Two-roomed houses consist of a roof and a room, and three-roomed houses have a pantry.
house of osan
the oven
Easter has its rituals. Starting on 'Gioi-mari' (i.e. Maundy Thursday), people sweep, build a fire in the yard, surround the house, walk over the fire to prevent sickness and in the evening the drums are beaten in church. On Good Friday women and girls decorate eggs. On Easter Saturday, 'pasca' is prepared. Before the 'Resurrection' service, the bells are rung, the drums are beaten, after which the church is circled three times and the 'pasca' is consecrated. Then people return to their Easter baskets and run home.
popular costumes
Easter with the Ossenians
Painter Ion Țântaș is a local artist who lived in the 20th century. Several of the painter's works are on display in a walk-through room.
painting by painter Ion Țântaș
self-portrait Ion Țântaș
Bridal braiding is a unique, traditional custom that can only be found in Țara Oașului. A beaded wreath is placed on the bride's head, which is then plaited with the bride's own hair. The preparation takes several hours. After the braiding, the bridal retinue leads the bride to her home, where she is dressed in traditional clothes.
the bride's adornment is braided from her own hair
the braiding of the bride
The party begins with the bride "dancing" to the tune of the ceterii (the cetera is a stringed instrument), which "zâce" (sings). The musical harmonies are topped by "gurgling" (a custom of shouting sentiment in verse). At the age of 16, young Ossetians become "coconi", they have to know the "dances", be good "giucăuși" and "tropotească". "The 'bride's dance' is danced by the bride's nearest and dearest, followed by the 'bride's wheel'. The dances happen at the mushroom.
the dance of the ossians
the dance of the ossians
Ossetian instrumental music
Fairs facilitated trade. People bought grain and sold fruit and fruit products. Fruit-growing was well developed in Țara Oașului. At fairs, girls came dressed in embroidered shirts.
crafts related to fruit growing
wide belts
Vama pottery has been documented since the 19th century. Vama pottery can be identified by its colors and ornaments.
Vama pottery
at the potter's wheel
ceramic color and decoration
Groups of girls gather at sevens during Lent, except on Tuesdays. There, they torch and show off their skills. In the evenings, the boys come and entertain with stories. This is where relationships were made.
girls purr and boys talk
the torso - the main activity of the sittings
Christmas is the main winter holiday in Țara Oașului. "Corindatul" (carol singing) is the most popular traditional event. Everyone takes part. A specific custom, however, is the "corindatul" (caroling) of girls getting married.
Christmas corinda
Christmas corinda
Oaș Country Museum is a vivid journey through the specific customs of Țării Oașului, so beautifully presented by the museum guide. The structure of the museum is well thought out to segment and highlight the themes presented. A museum where it is worth stopping for an hour and enjoying the wealth of information on display.
All the best!
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