The zîcãli (sing.: zîcalã, an instrumental piece sometimes accompanied by lyrics and/or dances) are performed by ceterasi on fiddles, guitars and drums. Each peasant house possesses at least one of these instruments, although the old single and twin pipes have been given up, except by a few shepherds. The zîcãli de bãut (for drinking) are instrumental pieces during which people shout out loud, humorous lyrics appropriate to their age and gender. They go at a tremendous pace and are usually performed as a dialogue between the girls who confront the boys, or the women in friendly contest with the men. The most common zîcãli de jucat (for dancing) are the Bãrbãtesc and the Învârtita. Bãrbãtescul is a men’s round dance, with a syncopated rhythm, during which the dancers shout dance commands or humorous lyrics. Învârtita (or De învârtit) is for couples; it is a very fast, swirling dance, and its tunes are frequently improvised by ceterasi from certain stock melodies and rhythms. The hollers of the men (women are never allowed to holler during the dance) are completely random, without any apparent connection to the beat of the music.Apart from Romanians, Maramures is inhabited by Ukrainians. Most of them live in a few villages in the north of the region. Their party music is not too different, but it is distinct from the Romanians’. The ceterasi know Ukrainian music because they are often hired to play at Ukrainian weddings. In the first half of the 20th century, before Popicu was born, there were many Jews in Maramures – they often worked as innkeepers, publicans and cattle traders and were scattered around the villages or in the town of Sighet.
