Images of Time in the Romanian Folk Chronotope

Abstract

This study proposes an analysis of the imagery of time in Romanian folklore, as it is outlined in a series of mythological narratives and beliefs recorded by ethnographers in the late nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century. The concept of chronotope is used as an analytical tool for understanding the imaginary universe of Romanian folklore. The analysed narratives encapsulate a set of ideas and representations regarding the social norms of the peasant communities in which the figures of weekly time – Saint Wednesday, Saint Friday, Marțolea (Tuesday-Evening), Joimărița (Thursday-Night), etc. – play a central role. Analysing these figures of time, the study reveals their function as guardians of compliance with traditional norms referring to conduct, work and food. The study also highlights the fact that chronotopes perform the role of cognitive schemes of the Romanian folklore imaginary.