The Birth among Romanians: Romanian Traditions and Incantations

First published in the late 19th century, The Birth among Romanians is one of Simeon Fl. Marian’s most profound ethnographic studies, revealing the beliefs, rituals, and protective charms surrounding childbirth in traditional Romanian culture. It captures a world where birth was both miracle and mystery, guarded by prayers, taboos, and sacred words meant to shield mother and child from unseen dangers.

Marian documents the entire cycle of birth customs—from pregnancy and labor to baptism and the child’s first blessings—preserving hundreds of incantations, ritual songs, and household rites once performed by midwives, mothers, and village elders. Each fragment reflects a deeply spiritual understanding of life’s beginnings, shaped by the intertwining forces of faith, superstition, and folk magic.

This is a cornerstone of Romanian folklore and ethnography, a rare glimpse into how generations interpreted birth not as biology alone, but as a divine initiation into the human and cosmic order.

Complete edition of Simeon Fl. Marian’s ethnographic classic

Includes original Romanian birth charms, rituals, and incantations

A vital resource for students of folklore, anthropology, and magic

Preserves the ancient spiritual traditions of Romanian village life