The most ancient document attesting a host of Transylvania dates back to October 21, 1767. There is a document written in Cyrillicm talking about the youth host of Comana de Jos, known under the name "Obcina". Another historical testimony is the description of the Ploughmen costume, dating back to 1890.
"Turca"- the masked Costume
The youth host of Comana de Jos, settled by rules and norms, is animated by 5 youths which ages goes from 16 to 21 years. Every year, at the beginning of December, the young boys pay visit to their host, whom they bring a battle of plum brandy. In this occasion, they engage the fiddlers. The next traditional step in celebrating Christmas is the sewing of "Turca", the mask that will accompany the host all along the feasts. Till Christmas Eve, the youths gather at their host's to rehearse.
The fine cooked Meatloaf
The mayor of Comana de Jos, Alexandru Elekes, speaks with pleasure about the commune's costumes: "The preparation of the traditional meals is the main preoccupation of the housewives. They must also clean the house, in order to welcome Christmas in the proper manner. Everybody must to put a fine cooked meatloaf on the table. In Comana, the traditions are very well conserved and celebrated today as the used to be once".
Archaic Cults
The members of the host attend the religious service officiated on Christmas morning, when they receive the priest blessing. The masked men' costume is connected to an archaic dead cult, celebrated in all the funerary rituals, not only in the Romania, but also in other parts of the world. The phenomenon reflects the reshaping of the Nativity myth and the entire popular mythology after the biblical myths.
