#plugusor

• Ho there — A traditional interjection used as a ritualistic opening and rhythmic formula in the Plugușor, a Romanian New Year's carol. This onomatopoeic phonetic structure, usually repeated as 'aho, aho', mimics the shouting used to urge oxen while plowing and structurally serves to capture the hosts' attention, marking the pauses between the stanzas of the folk greeting.
• Arapnic — A large, heavy whip braided from leather straps, fitted with a short wooden handle, traditionally used by shepherds, carters, or coachmen to drive draft animals or cattle. In a cultural context, the loud cracking noise produced by this whip was used ritually in Romanian villages during winter holidays (such as Plugușor) to drive away evil spirits.