Oath at the Cross" in Roma settlements in Eastern Slovakia (A contribution to an analysis of Roma religiosity)
Abstract
Religious beliefs of inhabitants of Roma settlement in Eastern Slovakia are based on pre-Christian religious models. Although the majority of Roma settlements' inhabitants regard themselves Catholic, Christianity represents mere façade behind which one can still recognize ancient magic procedures.
The "oath at the cross" ritual is undergone by a woman who has been convicted, or held suspicious of, infidelity, and it only takes place on direct request or demand voiced by her husband. At night, the wife has to swear upon Christian cross that she has been faithful to her husband.
By doing this, she is cleared of all accusations, and her status of faithful wife is restored. The restoration of the status is the primary purpose of the ritual, after which the matter is closed both for the couple and the community.
The purpose of this ritual, which bears a certain resemblance to Middle Age ordeals, is then not to obtain prove of guilt or innocence from the highest authorities, but to restore social order which has been threatened and thrown off balance by the fact, or suspicion of, conjugal infidelity.