Obiceiuri şi practici ritualico-magice la constituirea şi desfacerea turmelor.

Founded on field research, our study is dedicated to the customs and the ritual-magic practices related to two stages of Maramures shepherding, which are very rich in traditions: the gathering and the dissolution of flocks. In dealing with customs and magic practices we have emphasized those which proved to be ancient, and which associate the rite of magic nudity and chastity, with those which count on the using of magic instruments of a large spreading: the passing of sheep over a chain, over an axe, building the fire of life, etc. We analysed the manner in which magic practices are regarded, as well as the shepherds' traditions in all the sub-divisions of the above-mentioned stages of Maramures shepherding: gathering the flocks, getting them up the mountain, the first milking, the feast of milk measuring, coming with the flocks from the mountains in autumn, and the dissolution of the flocks. Our study highlights both the functions of the rites, and the mythical symbolic of the components, as well as the magical instruments they use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]