de Sus are attested since 1493. The name of Praid (the original Parajd, in Hungarian) comes from "paraj" with diminutives, meaning a small field covered with grass.
This "pasture" is crossed bz the Târnava Mica river and its affluents. Târnava Mica starts at km 8 of the Gheorgheni road, from the two main springs: Creanga Mare and Creanga Mica. The area embraced by the two springs is called "Botul celor doua Crengi" by the local inhabitants. This used to be the favorite place of the great Hungarian poet, Áprily Lajos from which the World War separated him definitively... Mortii spring, Kali Mic and Mare springs, Lazar well, all being left affluents of Creanga Mica. These springs all start from the Bucinului and Gurghiului Mountains. The longest affluent mare, 22 kminto Târnava Mica under the Harom Hill.
Besides the "young" Praid, surrounded by mountain springs, steep rocks and beautiful forests, there is the memory of the "old" Praid, remembered to be the home of the civil population, covering the "Rapsonné" Citadel. The Old Praid assured the food for the military basis. The citadel existed when the two small localities - "Bábirkó" and "Görgényalja" were starting to come to life on the territory of today's Praid. These crowded parts of the village, with narrow streets are characteristical for a migrating population. In time these small localities have combined with the salt mine area and "Nádasfo", forming today's Praid.
Praid - as a concept - is closely related to salt and everything concerning this. But explaining the formation of the locality resuming it only to this would be a mistake. Considering only the number of the employees from the mine, until 1958 - 59, this did not reach one hundred and this was only 10-15% of the Praid's inhabitants. Mostly the Ocna de Jos inhabitants worked in the mine, beingi ts owners. This had been the reason for which the buffalo breeding had developed in Ocna de Jos. The buffalo leather was indispensable for transportation. Most of the inhabitants worked in wood exploitation and processing, when at the middle of the last century at the Praid match factory were working 200 persons. The Praid inhabitants were breeding animals and were involved in agriculture as well. Starting with the last century, many foreigners have established in the locality as well. The locally processed wood has reached France and England as well. Until the 4th of May, 1944, the local Jewish people have been the ones involved in the commerce. The descendants of the Armenians have disappeared only recently from
Praid.
We may hope, not without reasons, that the power of attraction of Praid - and of the one and only Salt Zone - will grow in the future. We may say that those who have once halted here, have been enchanted by the beauties of nature and overwhelmed by thospitality of the local people, being now richer for life in memories. Returning is joy of life.
Csiki Zoltán
