Romanian women have contributed significantly to the home for many years during centuries. In addition to taking care of the house and family, they were also in charge of taking care of the farm animals and preserving various traditional arts and transfering them from generation to generation. Sewing and textile work was one field in which they excelled particularly. We compiled a list of the numerous jobs that women carried out in traditional homes, including their responsibilities in producing gorgeous fabrics, as well as the instruments they employed.
Spinning
Spinning was an essential task that involved creating yarn from raw wool fibers that were washed before the process. Romanian women used a variety of tools to spin yarn, including drop spindles and spinning wheels. Drop spindles were small, handheld tools for short lengths of yarn, while spinning wheels were larger, more complex tools for longer lengths of yarn.
Foto:Muzeul Etnografic Reghin and Pinterest
Weaving
When the yarn had been spun, it was time to weave it into cloth. From shirts and towels to elaborate carpets and tapestries, Romanian women used looms to produce a broad variety of fabrics. You may view our carpets here as well as the enormous rugs, which are a work of art in themselves. The necessities of the weaver dictated the complexity of the loom, which was frequently manufactured by hand.
Source: rdrp.ro & Muzeul "Vatra satului" Amarastii de Jos
Embroidery
Embroidery was a decorative technique that involved adding colorful threads to fabric to create intricate designs. Romanian women were known for their skilled embroidery work, which was often used to adorn traditional clothing, household linens, and other textiles. Embroidery needles and colorful threads were the primary tools used in this craft. Our beautiful embroidered towels and textiles can be seen here.
Rug Making
Romanian women also specialized in making rugs, which were often used to decorate the walls and floors of their homes. Rug making involved a variety of techniques, including plain weaving, knotting and tufting. Specialized looms ar the vertical big ones were used to create the intricate designs and textures of the rugs. One of the hardest and most appreciated carpet is the "Oltenian Kilim", it can be seen in the following links: Oltenian Kilim1 , Oltenian Kilim2
Crochet and Knitting
Finally, crochet and knitting were also popular textile crafts among traditional Romanian women. I remember my grandmother knitting wool socks around the stove in winter, it is a fascinating process how she can turn a simple wool yarn into a beautiful pair of socks. These crafts involved creating fabric by looping yarn together with a hook or a pair of needles. The resulting fabric could be used to create clothing, blankets, and other household items. Crochet hooks and knitting needles were the primary tools used in these crafts.
Here are some photos of my mother's knitted socks and gloves.
The traditional Romanian woman, who was skilled in sewing and textile work, was a vital member of the household. They used their talents to produce attractive, useful textiles. They frequently created their own tools, which were passed down from mother to daughter and were an integral part of their culture. Even if they may not be used as frequently now, individuals who understand the significant contribution that these talents made to Romanian society nevertheless value and cherish them. Cultural Preservation
In traditional Romanian society, women played an important role in maintaining local habits and traditions, including religious ones. Women were responsible for passing down cultural knowledge and practices to future generations, particularly in regards to religious holidays and rituals. They often took charge of organizing and preparing for these events, such as cooking traditional dishes and decorating the home and commemorate the lost ones in the family. Women also played a key role in teaching children about cultural values and beliefs, ensuring that these traditions were upheld and passed on to future generations. Overall, women were instrumental in preserving the cultural identity and heritage of their communities.
Source: Pinterest
We are who we are because of our mothers and grandmothers. Their significance for our identity is enormous. They kept the family unified, preserved the values, transffered them through the generations. The handicrafts are part of our rich heritage and we are lucky to have it.