Folk Customs

ANASTENARIA

The resurrection began at the beginning of the century from the village of Kosti in the province of Sozoagathoupolis in Eastern Romulia. In the prefecture of Serres, the places where the resurrection takes place today are Agia Eleni and Kerkini. The "fire" or "akaia" is the main feature of the custom that is adorned with interesting mystagogies and rituals such as the ritual sacrifice of animals and the ecstasy of the faithful, with the uninterrupted presence of music by folk organ players. The popular Thracian cult of the resurrected has been saved since antiquity and apart from the bastards of the resurrected, it preserves many remnants of the Dionysian cult.

The ceremony begins on the eve of the feast of Constantine and Helen on May 20.

On this day the sacrifice of the animal (Kurbani) takes place, as well as the transfer of the icons (of Agios Konstantinos and Eleni) from the church to the konaki of the village.

There is the vigil and the preparation of the mystics for the plague, which culminates the next day.

On the morning of the 21st of May, the resurrected women carry the icons and place them in the holy water, a sacred place in the grove.

The first pandemic fire takes place in the afternoon. When the embers are formed, the sighs are alerted and under the sounds of traditional instruments they reach a procession and begin the circular dance around and over the fire. Similar ceremonies, closed this time inside the konaki, take place on the day of the feast of Agios Athanasios on January 18.

GERAKINA

In 1854 Nigrita was under the Turkish yoke. In one of the poor houses in the "Tsakalades" area, a girl was born from the Rokani family, who was given the name "Gerakina". Growing up, Gerakina became known for her beauty and the kindness of her character. In 1870 he is already 16 years old and meets love in the person of the young Nigritan Rose Gostinos. The frothy day of August 1870 sealed her life in the most dramatic way. Going to the well of the district to bring water, he slips carelessly and falls inside. Unfortunately, despite the mobilization of all her lover who came down with a rope to the bottom of the well. All of Nigrita mourned the unfortunate tragic daughter and accompanied her to her last home, after first adorning her with coins and bracelets. The tragic end of Gerakina shocks Triantaphyllos who died of unbearable pain and grief after three days.

A top event of the cultural events that take place in the month of September in Nigrita and are called "Gerakineia", is the representation of the fall of "Gerakina" in the well, in the area "Tsakalades". At the end follows a folk feast which is accompanied by rich delicacies of the area.

WOMEN'S DEMOCRACY - BABO - BRUSHES

The feast of Baba or mom is an ancient custom. It was transferred to Greece by the inhabitants of Eastern Romulia, who settled in Thrace and Macedonia. In Monokklisia the custom was brought in 1923 by refugees from Petra in Eastern Thrace. The events of this custom honor the reproduction, the birth of children and the woman who brings them into the world. In fact, it is a distant revocation of the matriarchal spirit. Every year on January 8, the custom of "Feminism" or "Babos" or "Brexoudia" is revived in the Municipal Districts of Monokklisia, N. Petra, A. Kamila in Livadia and recently in Charopos. From dawn, the women with voices and the accompaniment of an orchestra loudly announce the fact that the village is now under their control. Married women elect a woman president and then the other members of the board, who are also exclusively women. Then they occupy the public buildings, ring the church bells, raise money for the day's expenses as well as supplies for the evening feast. Men on this day are busy with household chores and are not allowed on the street. Wearing the housewife's apron, they wash clothes, iron and take care of the children. The punishment for offenders is splashing, undressing and is the feast of all women. The dawn of the next day will find the village in its usual pre-condition.

DRACOKTONIA

Tradition states that in Neo Souli there was a beast (dragon) that blocked the flow of water that was high up in the spring and released them, since first every year a resident of the village offered him a lot for food. One year the lot fell to the princess of the village. When the time came for the princess to be offered the sacrifice to the dragon, in the place of martyrdom, she prayed to God to save her. Then Saint George appeared on his horse with a cross and a pole in his hands and killed the dragon. In the thanksgiving of the princesses, Saint George only asked them as a favor to build a church in the village.

From the day that the miracle of Agios Georgios took place until today, every year on the day of the feast of his memory, there is a representation of "Drakoktonia". Two girls in black lead the princess to the place of sacrifice in the village square where the festival for the sacrifice takes place. A short distance away is a dummy of the "dragon". After a while, Agios Georgios arrives on a white horse holding his pole. He kills the dragon, saves the princess and frees the waters. This is followed by a folk feast with dancing, wine and traditional food.

KETSEKIA

This is a popular carnival event that takes place in the village of Pontismeno. This village is one of the oldest places of permanent settlement of the Roma Roma. In fact, the most primitive type of lyre in Greece has survived to this day (the locals call it "gika"). This is an extremely coarse and "primitive" construction in which motorcycle brake wires are now used as strings. The "Ketsekia" of Pontismenos is a custom which is not found in any other part of Greece.

ΚΟURΒΑΝΙ

This is an ancient custom that is revived in Aggista and its core is based on the concept of sacrifice to the saint of the village. In this way the inhabitants of the area tried to appease their saint, for the good of themselves and the village. On the day of the feast of St. John in a specially designed area, near the church from the eve they slaughter the beef, the meat of which is boiled in large cauldrons all night. The next day after the Divine Liturgy and after the priest first blesses the faithful, the congregation heads to the hall to taste the beef that is offered cooked with oatmeal.

DERVENES

On the last Sunday of Carnival on the First, the custom of "Dervena" (Fire Worship) is revived.

It is an integral part of the tradition of the inhabitants of Proti with roots that are lost in the background

next year. It starts about two months ago, with the collection of oaks from each district separately.

The goal is which district will make the biggest "Dervena". On the night of the last Sunday of Carnival, accompanied by traditional musical instruments, the inhabitants of Proti and the surrounding areas tour the neighborhoods and light one by one the fires (dervens). The custom symbolizes the burning of passions, hatred, evil and hostility of people. The culmination of the event takes place in the central square of the village with dances, plenty of wine, pies and traditional sarmadakia.

KALOGEROS

This is a custom that comes from Eastern Romulia and concerns the fertility of the earth. It is revived in Agia Eleni on the Monday of Turin and was transported there by the inhabitants of the village from Kosti of Agathoupolis. Only men with the leading person of the event, the "Monk", participate in this custom. An integral element in his attire is a "sponge". This is a traditional oven diaper which Archianastenaris traditionally delivers to "Kalogeros". "Kalogeros", according to tradition, died and after a few minutes he was resurrected as soon as he was thrown into the water.

It starts on Monday morning in Turin with the "agermos". The "Monk" is dressed in sheepskin, water pumpkin on his head, peppers on top. Accompanied by the "king", and accompanied by traditional instruments. All together they knock on the doors of the village. The housewives welcome the procession by throwing the seeds while the "Monk" with his "sponge" crosses the entrance, the "barber" shaves the housewives, wishes them a good harvest and the "prince" offers them a glass of wine. In the afternoon, the procession by cart ends in the village square, after first men with thick wood in their hands "hit" the water on the side of the road, wetting the escort. The event ends with the virtual plowing of the square and the sowing.

TRADITIONAL WRESTLING

Traditional wrestling is directly related to festivals. Such festivals take place:

In Skotoussa (starts on September 8, the day of the Virgin's birthday). At the festival in the settlement "Pyrgos" of the Black Sea (eve of Agia Marina 16 - 17 July). At the Festivals of Heraklion (end of August), of Nigrita (St. Athanasios Nigritas May 2, of St. Thomas Nigritas Sunday after Easter, of John the Forerunner Flambouros June 24, of St. George Anthis April 23, of St. Thomas of St. , of Zoodochou Pigi Terpni Friday after Easter, as well as in Skoutari.

There the visitor can meet the last traditional wrestlers, the "pechlivanides". Athletes, before starting the race, wear the so-called "kyuspeti" or "kispeti", a knee-length trousers made of treated goat skin, while lubricating their entire body with oil.

The entrance of the athletes to the "threshing floor" (field) is done in an impressive way, with slaps on the knees and other "tsalimia". Throughout the games, the sound of trumpets and drums is heard, which will not stop until the moment of the emergence of the big winner.

SWALLOWS

"Swallowing" is the habit of children to sing on the first of March the arrival of swallows holding a wooden dummy. As a song and as a ritual, it is part of a wider customary cycle of this day, the First of March, which as the first day of the year in the past, is associated with many events of divinatory, magical and worshipful content. The "swallows" are revived in Nigrita and in many villages of Visaltia. In recent years, thanks to the efforts of the "Lyceum of Greek Women of Serres" is reviving in the city of Serres.