Paper short abstract:

The presentation will focus on the role of the “Mute” character from the Căluș ritual (connected to the feast of Pentecost) as it is performed in two villages in southern Romania. The "Mute" (masked character) is allowed everything, without restrictions, and brings laughter to the audience.

Paper long abstract:

The presentation will focus on the role of the “Mute” character from the Căluș ritual in Romania (carried on for Pentecost fest, now part of the UNESCO intangible heritage representative list), in two villages in Argeș county (Stonici and Bîrla). The călușari (the members of the Căluș group) perform specific dances meant to cure the ritual illness inflicted by fairies, but also are meant to provide for good luck and prosperity of the household. One of the members of the group is the “Mute”, a masked character, always staged by a man, dressed as a woman, but endowed with the fertility symbol of a phallus (made out of wood) under the skirt. When the ritual is performed, the “Mute” character is not allowed to talk (the reason for its name), but he can mock the călușari, or the people who are assisting to the ritual, breaking all behavior rules. He is playing an important part in the short episode meant to bring laughter to the audience, when usually either a member of the group feigned sickness or death, or he is impersonating a cow, each time the “Mute” healing the “sick.” The presentation will also discuss the staging of the ritual, as since the beginning of the 20th century the custom was much appreciated and, especially during communism, it was performed during local festivals, but usually without the “Mute” character.