Abstract:
This paper attempts an analysis of the funeral poems created in the historic region Aranyosszék (Aranyos Seat), following those historical moments that lead to the creation, spread, development and, later, the decline and cessation of this genre. Through the presented inquiry, it first of all reviews the history of funeral poems. Based on the results of previous researches, it draws attention to the environment in which these poems were written and to the occasions they addressed, as well as to the identities of the persons who wrote them. Further on, it reflects upon the relationship between the protestant churches on the one side and funeral speeches, respectively funeral poems, on the other. Here we find a review of the prohibitions and canons that appeared since the 17th century, meant to ban these poems from the liturgical practice. At the same time, the paper conducts an inquiry on the causes behind the prohibition of these poems that later almost completely dropped out of use. Finally, analyzing the Transylvanian, and within that, regional (Aranyosszék) peculiarities of the genre, the article covers the results of the author’s researches conducted between 2003–2006 in the settlements of the Aranyosszék region. Referencing the content of the gathered material (more than 50 poems), this part offers a review of the former (and possibly current) practice of writing such poems.
