The research team from the ROM(a)NOR Interferences project, once arrived in the Cetate commune in Dolj county, met a Roma with a less common occupation: horn player. The meeting took place in an area of the village of residence of the commune (Cetate) where, say the local authorities, some of the most needy Roma from the commune live and which bear a rough name, difficult to disclose.
Mr. Iancu Vasile, 67 years old (b.1955) lives in this part of the village, is retired and plays the horn. He does not sing at parties or on any stage, but only on certain occasions: at deaths; is requested in this regard both in the two villages of the commune (Cetate and Moreni) and in several nearby localities.
Horn player Vasile Iancu
Every time he is requested at such an unfortunate event, Mr. Vasile Iancu takes his instrument and presents himself in the household (at the house) of the just deceased; blow the horn in the evening of the day the man died, then the next morning and again in the evening. On the day of the funeral the bugler plays again at the departure of the breathless one to the cemetery, or accompanies him to his destination, as the family concerned wishes. He usually sings for 25-30 minutes, each time being paid with money or food; he is also satisfied with modest rewards, depending on the possibilities of each one.
Mr. Iancu Vasile does not sing alone but accompanied by his son, Iancu Cornel (called Floricel) who also plays the horn; he learned from his father, who in turn was trained by his own father.
Mr. Iancu Vasile has been playing the horn since 1994, at the age of 39, and his two sons also know how to play the horn; the difference lies in the fact that Floricel's brother sings extremely rarely. Mr. Iancu is also the father of two girls, but they do not play any musical instrument.
In the photos you can see both Mr. Iancu Vasile and his son Cornel, the buglers from the Cetate.
With his son, Cornel
