Each winter in the rural Moldova region of Romania, locals dressed in bearskins gather in troupes to perform dances to drive away evil spirits. In 2014, New York-based photographer <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dianazeynebalhindawi.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Diana Zeyneb Alhindawi</a> captured the annual festivities.
Annual bear parade —
Each winter in the rural Moldova region of Romania, locals dressed in bearskins gather in troupes to perform dances to drive away evil spirits. In 2014, New York-based photographer Diana Zeyneb Alhindawi captured the annual festivities.
Diana Zeyneb Alhindawi
Alhindawi, who is half-Romanian, lived in Moinesti until she was eight and recalls the bear dancing fondly. She says despite appearances, it's a joyous time of celebration -- but one that's dying out as hard times force young people to leave the area.
Dying tradition —
Alhindawi, who is half-Romanian, lived in Moinesti until she was eight and recalls the bear dancing fondly. She says despite appearances, it's a joyous time of celebration -- but one that's dying out as hard times force young people to leave the area.
Diana Zeyneb Alhindawi
Dumitru Toloaca, leader of a bear troupe from Laloaia village, marches through the alleys of Asau village. He's followed closely by his "bear tamer" and "bears," whom he guides to private homes where they've been invited to perform.
'Bear tamer' —
Dumitru Toloaca, leader of a bear troupe from Laloaia village, marches through the alleys of Asau village. He's followed closely by his "bear tamer" and "bears," whom he guides to private homes where they've been invited to perform.
Diana Zeyneb Alhindawi
The bear dancing has its roots in an old forest Gypsy practice of bringing bears to towns. Residents would pay the Gypsies, also known as Roma, to let bear cubs walk on their backs to cure backaches.
Gypsy origins —
The bear dancing has its roots in an old forest Gypsy practice of bringing bears to towns. Residents would pay the Gypsies, also known as Roma, to let bear cubs walk on their backs to cure backaches.
Diana Zeyneb Alhindawi
Older bears would be made to "dance" on hot metal plates. At some time in the last century, use of live bears was replaced by people wearing bearskins.
Mysterious traditions —
Older bears would be made to "dance" on hot metal plates. At some time in the last century, use of live bears was replaced by people wearing bearskins.
Diana Zeyneb Alhindawi
Although in the minority, female bears can be found in nearly every troupe. Alhindawi's links to the area helped her gain candid access to the dancers.
Smoking bears —
Although in the minority, female bears can be found in nearly every troupe. Alhindawi's links to the area helped her gain candid access to the dancers.
Diana Zeyneb Alhindawi
Alhindawi says in some towns, competitions have been organized to help keep the traditions alive.
Bear competitions —
Alhindawi says in some towns, competitions have been organized to help keep the traditions alive.
Diana Zeyneb Alhindawi
Catalin Apetroaie chats with a young bear and the "bear tamer" seated on his porch. They and the rest of the troupe have just finished performing for a family and are taking a rest before they continue on to the homes of other patrons.
Resting bears —
Catalin Apetroaie chats with a young bear and the "bear tamer" seated on his porch. They and the rest of the troupe have just finished performing for a family and are taking a rest before they continue on to the homes of other patrons.
Diana Zeyneb Alhindawi
A female bear plays with the young son of Catalin Apetroaie, a bear himself. The child's grandmother scurries by while his great-grandmother peers from inside the house.
Bear family —
A female bear plays with the young son of Catalin Apetroaie, a bear himself. The child's grandmother scurries by while his great-grandmother peers from inside the house.
Diana Zeyneb Alhindawi
Catalin Apetroaie serves his fellow bears pig fat while his wife fills up glasses of homemade palinka liquor.
Pit stop —
Catalin Apetroaie serves his fellow bears pig fat while his wife fills up glasses of homemade palinka liquor.
Diana Zeyneb Alhindawi
In the days leading up to New Year's, troupes of bears dance their way into the night, traveling by van through a handful of towns and villages in the Trotus Valley.
Dark nights —
In the days leading up to New Year's, troupes of bears dance their way into the night, traveling by van through a handful of towns and villages in the Trotus Valley.
Diana Zeyneb Alhindawi
While the tradition originated with the Roma, Alhindawi says they've since been priced out of the practice. A ban on bear hunting means bearskins now fetch up to €2,000, and most Gypsies have sold theirs.
Bear market —
While the tradition originated with the Roma, Alhindawi says they've since been priced out of the practice. A ban on bear hunting means bearskins now fetch up to €2,000, and most Gypsies have sold theirs.
Diana Zeyneb Alhindawi
Between visits to private homes where they've been invited to perform, a troupe of bears stops at a bar.
Time for drinks —
Between visits to private homes where they've been invited to perform, a troupe of bears stops at a bar.
Diana Zeyneb Alhindawi
At the end of each night, bearskins hang from hooks on the ceiling of a front porch.
Job well done —
At the end of each night, bearskins hang from hooks on the ceiling of a front porch.
Diana Zeyneb Alhindawi