In early May, Romanian villagers celebrate Sambra Oilor, joyously sending shepherds and their herds to the lush summer pastures of the Carpathian Mountains. As autumn approaches, the vibrant Osâmbritul Oilor festival welcomes the herds' return before winter blankets the hillsides.
Festival Highlights
In late spring, the entire village comes together to send off the shepherds with their herds to the mountains for summer pastures. These celebrations, which usually take place in early May, are a testament to the strong community spirit. Then, before the severe winter comes to the Carpathian Mountains, the herders have to take care of the sheep pasturing in the mountain meadows and bring them down to the village. This is the time of the Sambra Oilor (spring edition) and Osâmbritul Oilor (autumn edition) festivals that are celebrated with equal fervor in every hillside village in Romania.
Huta-Certeze Celebrations
One of the most renowned celebrations occurs in Huta-Certeze village in Satu Mare county, northern Romania. Locals uphold this tradition year after year, passing down ancestral customs at the biggest rural celebration in the county. For the last few years, a central feature of this ancient tradition has been measuring milk and consecrating the sheep flocks. The festive atmosphere is enriched by the beauty of the folk dresses worn by the Oșen people, the delicious traditional dishes, and the unique Oșen song and dance. Even the abundant rain has become a customary part of the holiday. The Osâmbritul Oilor festivities, which include traditional music, dances, and costumes, take place in September or October, celebrating the return of the sheep from the mountains.
