The hook

The hook was originally developed as a tool by Aromanian shepherds. It was composed of two parts and made by using the hard wood of the Cornelian cherry: a long piece of wood on which they would attach a cherry wood S-shaped piece. This represented the end of the hook and it is called cârlibană by Aromanians. Shepherds would use this part of the hook to get hold of a sheep’s leg for milking it or cutting its fleece. The longer part of the hook would be used to lead sheep while they were grazing. In the beginning, the hook had a rather simple shape, that would serve its main purposes, but in time the hook began to have an aesthetic role as it was creatively and ingeniously sculpted. These sculptures were usually inspired by zoomorphic motifs, including the heads of animals such as rams, wolves, bears or snakes; but they were sometimes decorated with floral or geometric motifs as well. Aromanian symbols, such as the sun of Alexander the Great or Christian symbols, were also popular. Consequentially, the hook became an object that served as a symbol for the Aromanian communities which were composed of several families and had a leader. This leader would proudly wear the most artfully crafted hook, which reaffirmed his power and brought him great appreciation within the community. During the traditional hora dances, the bearer of the hook used the object as a way to show that he lead the dance. Moreover, the hook was attributed mystical powers and it was believed that sculpting the head of Saint George, the patron of Aromanian shepherds, in it would protect the people from evil. The art of handcrafting the hook by Aromanian pastors became more and more diverse, almost approaching aesthetic peaks as it became an artistic process. Since it was made from resistant materials, the hook could be passed on to the younger generations. Unfortunately, the craft of making Aromanian hooks is becoming less popular, thus, making these works of art not only rare, but extremely valuable. On the other hand, these objects are now mass produced and such souvenirs can be purchased from the Aromanian villages of Pind. However, it is a fact that the Aromanian hook, with its shape and symbolism, is closely related to the culture of these people and can be considered an object that is representative of the Aromanian identity. For this reason, to this day, the hook is used in different ceremonies. Moreover, it is a source of inspiration for Aromanian artists, as it is seen in the works of Aromanian sculptor, Mihai Tugearu. This piece was made by the Aromanian sculptor, Mihai Tugeanu, and is part of the Aromanian Society in Bucharest’s collection.