The Momârlan Museum, in Petroșani, was born inside two 200-year-old buildings, and also in a rather generous yard. For starters, maybe we should explain the term "momârlan", used in Hunedoara county. Initially, the name momârlani was used as an insult and was given to the natives of the settlements of the Jiu Valley towards the end of the 19th century and is translated as "remains" or "descendants". Later, however, the term acquired a positive meaning, and momârlanii are, in fact, the inhabitants of the Jiu Valley, this being an epithet used for these people.
In order not to lose the customs and traditions of the place, the Mălinesc family decided to open a museum of momârlani, in a very picturesque setting. Here you can admire hundreds of objects specific to the area, from decades-old clothing to traditional tools, some rudimentary, used in the yards of momârlănești families. All these objects have been donated over time by several momârlani from Slătinioara, Sălătruc, Dâlja Mare. The museum's host has about 100 costumes, all gathered over the years, but due to lack of space, not all of them are on display here. Dozens of dolls can be admired in the museum, all dressed in folk costumes, made by Mrs. Mălinesc herself.
One of the rooms of the museum was arranged with the theme "wedding", because for momârlani, weddings and funerals were and are important events in the community. Here you can admire the costumes of the bride and groom, the godparents, the flask that was "walked" from door to door when people were invited to the wedding, old photos in which different poses of the two great events were captured. Also, cloths made by women in the past are on display, even the dowry of young women are presented here, ie a box, smaller or larger, depending on how wealthy the family was, in which were placed pillows, blankets. , towels, blankets, and many other objects, sewn and woven by housewives.
In the second room several tools and objects that were used for household work can be admired. Here is a weaving device, a spinning fork, and also a string of wool on it. In the same room there is also a stove with which the family members warmed up, and which they also used for cooking. Also in this room you can see many objects that were used by women in the kitchen.
When you say Valea Jiului or Petroșani, the thought automatically jumps into mining, but you should not overlook so easily the customs and the traditional dress of the momârlani. Due to the mining operations started in 1840 and the urban development determined by them, most of the momârlans had to adapt to a new lifestyle. Some have chosen to retire to households on the hills, as far away from "urbanization" as possible.
Fortunately, the former life of the momârlan is now presented in this museum, seemingly modest, but so spiritually charged, given that all these objects are authentic, used by momârlan for decades, maybe hundreds of years.
Foto: Facebook-Muzeul Momârlanului
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