4-4 2 



THE LIVING RACES OF MANKIND 



wrapped in this, the Rumanian is impervious to 

 snow or frost. The women usually wear a kerchief 

 folded over the head and fastened under the chin. 

 The upper part of the body is clothed in a loose- 

 fitting jacket or bodice, sometimes white, but often 

 of some showy material. The lower limbs are 

 covered with a skirt, which is generally of a darker 

 material than the jacket, though sometimes bright 

 and showy in colour. This is the every-day dress 

 of the Eumanian peasant. The Sunday and holiday 

 dress is naturally more elaborate in colour. 



The Rumanian peasant is frugal in his diet, 

 which consists principally of milk, eggs, maize, 

 porridge, and pig's flesh. Drunkenness is common, 

 however. 



The dwellings in some of the rural districts 

 are still of a rude type, consisting in great 

 measure of pits dug in the earth and then covered 

 with more or less art. A large hole is dug deep 

 in the ground. Often it is lined with clay. From 

 the surface of the ground, or from a wall raised a 

 foot or two above the soil round the edge of the 

 pit, a roof is formed of branches and twigs. In 

 the centre of this a hole is left for the smoke. 

 Sometimes a simple doorway at one end gives 

 entrance, and the occupants descend to the floor 

 either by steps or on an inclined plane, while at 

 the end opposite the door a window is often 

 inserted. There are two rooms, in which the entire 

 family live; and as animals share the accommoda- 

 tion, dirt and disease are widespread. Marsh fever 

 is especially prevalent. Yet there are some who 

 maintain that these dwellings are not unhealthy. 

 They were originally constructed in this way in 

 order to escape the notice of the marauding bands 

 which from time to time overran the Danubian 

 territories. They were formerly surrounded by trees, 

 which have been cut down for firewood. The spirit 

 of conservatism causes many peasants, otherwise 

 well to do, to prefer these underground dwellings 

 to the modern cottages found in the villages of the 

 higher lands. 



The Rumanian women, like the women in 

 several other Continental countries, do most of the 

 work that is done in the fields, and are said to be 

 more industrious than the men. They are even 

 called on to do the work of navvies, and toil with 

 the men in making roads, digging out railway- 

 cuttings, and in heavy labour generally. Men may be seen working in the fields with square- 

 bladed spades, while the women use an implement with a heart-shaped blade and a handle as 

 long as a broomstick. 



Of the amusements of the Rumanians, the most striking is the Jiora, or national dance. 



Photo by F. Topiq] 



A BOSNIAN BELLE. 



[Surajei 



