In Bran-Moieciu-Fundata area there are several sheep breeding habits, basic occupation of the inhabitants of this mountain area. During the transhumance process in spring time, the sheep flocks are taken to the mountain; in the summer, the shepherds bring the flocks back into the village to measure the milk, a habit which bears the name of milk measuring.
The Cross Sign
Men gather to the sheepfold, where the most experimented shepherd, sit on his little chair, milks every ewe. He puts his finger into the white foam and makes the sign of the cross on the sheep?s? back, to protect them against the murrain. The milk is measured and most carefully scored. In the end, the shepherd and his aids put together the milk and coagulate it.
Tasty Breeding
After the milk was measured, the shepherds calculate the quantity of cheese to be received by every sheep owner. After the flocks descend from the mountains, the entire community gather once again at the sheepfold. The milk is processed by the shepherds to obtain the cheese famous throughout the country and even abroad. Tourists come especially to taste the savoury meals which secret is held by the shepherds and the well-known smoked cheese.
Shepherds? Spells
At the fire light, the elders tell that their grandparents used to teach them spells to defend the sheepfold and the shepherds against the evil forces. Old shepherds used to light the Living Fire, smoke shepherds and sheeps and purify them with holly water, wash with dew gathered at down before the sun rise up in the sky, chase by yelling and noises the sorceresses trying to steal the milk power.
