As winter ebbs and the timber begin to blossom, a season of festivity begins. Millennia in the past, this was the season of the “Dionysia” – celebrations devoted to the Historical Greek god Dionysus – a god of many issues that go properly collectively: orchards and fruit, vegetation, fertility, and festivity. He’s additionally the god of madness, ritual insanity, non secular ecstasy, theater, and naturally – wine. The Dionysia rejoice the earth waking up from a winter’s sleep. It’s additionally a celebration of freedom – a season of candy Dionysian abandon.
How does this slot in with Christianity although? The season of Dionysia precedes the season of Lent- the interval of fasting and sobriety that precede the celebration of Easter. The Dionysia – nonetheless a time of revelry – has a brand new identify: Apokries = ‘apo’ (from, away from) + ‘kreas’ (meat) – a farewell to meat earlier than the season of lent.
The Greek Carnival – Apokries – is well known in all corners of Greece, however some areas have a particular twist, distinctive customs and traditions that make their Apokries festivities stand out. Listed below are a few of the most fascinating.
Naoussa- the Genitsari and Boule
The roots of the distinctive Apokries carnival celebrations are advanced. Naoussa, a phenomenal metropolis in northern Greece that’s identified for glorious wine, has a courageous historical past. The residents engaged in an rebellion towards the Ottomans in 1822, only one 12 months after the Greek warfare of Independence was begun. The Ottoman reprisal was swift and extreme. The standard carnival songs of Naoussa commemorate the atrocity but in addition rejoice the noble, combating spirit of their ancestors.
Younger single males don elaborate costumes that includes a Greek ‘fustanella (the kilt-like garment of the liberty fighters) and putting masks- known as “Prosopa” (‘face’ in Greek). This transforms them into the “Genitsari”. Their dance/procession takes an historical route via the city. Swords are brandished in a shocking show. The one Boule – the ‘bride’ – can also be a person in disguise. The festivities mix the Dionysian abandon with commemorating town’s distinctive and courageous historical past.
Kastoria – the Ragoutsaria
Kastoria’s distinctive carnival festivities start a lot sooner than these of different areas – beginning proper after the Epiphany (January sixth). Varied teams of women and men of all ages, organized in teams quite like groups, every have their very own conventional costume and orchestra. The streets are full of celebration, culminating on January 8, within the Medieval sq. of Doltso, when a contest of exuberance begins- the teams attempt to ‘outsing’ one another – singing louder and higher than the others.
Why the identify “Ragoutsaria”? Many suggest that the identify has its origins within the Latin phrase “rogatores” – a beggar. This is smart, primarily based each on the favored costumes and on one other tradition- the Rogatores go door to door asking for presents, in trade for which they ward off the evil spirits.
Serres – the Babogeros
There’s one other approach to drive the evil spirits away in Serres! The Babogeros – ideally one in every household – is a younger man in a terrifying-looking costume of black or crown goatskin, a really tall hat embellished with ribbons and beads, and above all, he’s lined with bells of each dimension. Departing from his home together with his mom’s blessing, he joins the others, all dancing and making as a lot noise as attainable to scare the evil spirits, driving them away from the village. On the similar time, the bells get up nature, and usher in well being and prosperity.
Galaxidi – the Flour Conflict
Now our tour of Apokries customs brings us additional south, to the northern shores of the Gulf of Corinth and the gorgeous city of Galaxidi. Carnival season right here concludes on Clear Monday with, paradoxically, really a really, very messy celebration – the “Aleuromoutzouromata” = “alevri” (flour) = “moutzouromata” (smudges). With its origins within the Byzantine era- some say from the painted faces of the clown within the Hippodromes – or presumably introduced over by sailors who had seen related colourful festivities in Sicily – males would throw flour at each other, making merry jokes. In time, shade was added to the flour – ochre, indigo. And ladies additionally joined within the enjoyable. Now, individuals of all ages take part on this messy, joyous celebration. Some put on a protecting general over their clothes, and a easy face masks and even goggles are suggested for individuals who need to actually throw themselves into the fray. The result’s some good “clear” fun- a joyous Clear Monday celebration to cap off the season of Apokries.
Have you ever joined any Apokries celebrations in Greece?
Recent Comments