Colindat or colindă also known as colinde, colind, colinduri is a traditional ritual Christmas carol in Romania and can be also found in the Republic of Moldova.
It is performed throughout both countries, with regional variations in terms of the number of participants and the exact timing of the melodies and lyrics.
Some rituals used around Christmas have roots in pre-Christian practices, having their roots in the Roman Saturnalia and pagan rituals associated with the winter solstice and soil fertility. Although the text of the colinda is concerned with the events of the Nativity, certain elements of the colinda have probably been around since the ancient Romans.
They are inspired by the Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition, the religious services, and the iconography. When heterodox proselytizing broke the unity of the Orthodox faith and tried to dismantle national unity, colinde had a role to play in preserving and defending the Orthodox faith. There were colinde everywhere in Romania to honor the Mother of God, who occupies a central place in piety and Orthodox worship, and to show her love for her loved son Jesus Christ.
Romanians have traditionally celebrated colinde as a village tradition starting well in advance of Christmas. Youth (usually boys) from different village areas would form groups in different places in order to sing in unison with one another. These groups, called cetes de colindători, vary in numbers, and they would go to different houses on Christmas Eve to begin singing.
Afterward, the host offers the singers ritual gifts and money. The songs have epic content that is adapted to the circumstances of each individual host. In addition to performing auspicious songs, ritual performers will dance with unmarried girls – a practice that is supposed to help them find a husband within the next year.
Colindat can be performed in costume, accompanied by instrumental accompaniment and choreography. Young male actors (traditionally unmarried) are the main bearers and practitioners of the element; experienced male actors, often former group leaders, train the groups. In some areas, children are also permitted to attend these rehearsals to learn the repertoire.
Many families would invite the visitors into their homes, and gift them with different small gifts such as nuts, dried fruits, and colaci. In some villages, the visitors head first to the mayor's house, then to the teacher's house, whereas in other villages there is no predetermined order.
However, the rituals are learned at daily rehearsals from when the group is formed until Christmas Eve. As well as conveying the season's best wishes, these songs support social identity and help to ensure cohesion.
References
(https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/mens-group-colindat-christmas-time-ritual-00865) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colind%C4%83)