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THE BABAROUDA: A CURIOUS CUSTOM IN ROUMANIA "In times of severe drought," writes our Correspondent, "the Roumanian peasantry have recourse to a peculiar custom, the origin of which is unknown, but is doubtless some heathen rite. Gipsy girls, clad only in a short `skirt' of corn, vine, and small branches, run through the villages, whilst the peasantry deluge them with water. The most curious part about the 'rite' is that it is done in all seriousness, onlookers dutifully crossing themselves as the 'Babarouda,' as they are termed, rush by, the recipients the of douches from buckets or the wooden vessels so dear to the Roumanian peasant. The girls afterwards go round and collect as a reward for their trouble. As to the efficacy of these rain-makers, no reliable records are kept!" |
NOTE: A CORRECTION FOR "THE BABAROUDA" The correct name is Paparuda. The Paparuda "Rain Caller" is the ritual celebrated in Spring on a date that varies from place to place. The song (actually the magic word for "rain caller"): Paparudă, rudă, |