On Christmas eve, on Saint IgnatÆs day, villagers, especially in Maramure║, observe yearly the tradition of sacrificing pigs and sharing the meat with their neighbours. This tradition is a genuine collective gastronomic celebration, in which each piece of meat is prepared according to ancient recipes. Minced meat is the basic ingredient and it is cooked and served to each of the participants according to their respective social rank. Sometimes, villagers oint their faces with the pigÆs blood as a sign of good health. This custom gives rise to various superstitions. Thus the pigÆs head is never to be cut off on Monday or Friday; the pigÆs head is to be immediately taken inside the house, lest earthenware might break; the presence of blood coagulating around the pigÆs heart is seen as an omen of wealth for the master of the house. The fat parts of the pig are used for preparing the bacon, which is later salted and preserved all through the winter, hanging down from the cellar ceiling.
