22/6/2006
Ôhe custom of fire / Ritual of the first day of March

Mina Macheropoulou Source: C.E.T.I. © Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace

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Young and old people are gothered every year at the square of the village on the 1st of March, where they light fires and jump over them. The dance groups accompanied by villagers perform traditional dances while they wear the martis (red and white bracelet) in order not to get burnt by the sun. A ghlendi follows and visitors are also included.
In the past, people lit fires at every crossroad of the vilage and burn their mattresses in order to get rid of the fleas.