28/02/2007
Babo

A celebration of fertility and for a fortunate new year performed only by women. It is devoted to Babo, the midwife of the village, at the beginnings of the new year, on the 8th of January, and coincides with the period of the Dodekaimeron, a carnival period for Northern Greece leading to masquerades and loosness accepted by the local community as actions for a happy and fortunate year. . It is performed at Rodopi: Xilagani, Proskinites, Strimi, Dioni, Krovili, Sapes, Imeros, Fanari, Roditis. In Xanthi’s prefecture: Nea Kesani, Magana. Drama’s prefecture: Kali Vrisi and Volakas. Minor alterations in Rodopi: Xilagani, Proskinites, Strimi, Dioni, Krovili, Sapes, Imeros, Fanari, Roditis. Xanthi’s Prefecture: Nea Kesani, Magana. Drama’s Prefecture: Kali Vrisi and Volakas.

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2/11/2006
Kalogeros (munk)

A custom of Thracian origin performed on Monday at the villages of Macedonia: Mavrolefki and Meliki where refugees from Kosti and the surrounding area of Eastern Romilia were settled in. It was also performed in Mesochori, Rodopi, but in the past. A joyfull company of masked performers is spreading the message for a fortunate new year, health, crop, fertility and nature through a composite ritual which consists of a virtual seeding and plowing along with a virtual death and resurrection of a monk. This custom ends with drinking, dancing with live music and inviting everyone attending to join.

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2/10/2006
Arapides (masqueraded men with their faces and hands dyed with ash)

A custom for a fortunate new year performed at Monastiraki and Nikiasiani –Drama- on the day of Epiphany (6th of January). Arapides with the rest of the team start from the course of the church and after passing by the houses of the villagers, they end up to the square where people are gothered to watch and then participate in. The custom is performed with variations on the 7th of January at Volakas and Petrousa, Drama.

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2/10/2006
Arkoudes (bears)

This custom is performed at Volakas, Drama, on the 8th of January. Bears, teams of masqueraded people, are part of the the satirical representation of marriage performed on the same day.

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2/10/2006
Camel

This custom is performed at Petrousa -prefecture of Drama- on the 7th and 8th of January. The feigned camel along with the men’s group performs the ritual which climaxes with the virtual seeding and harvest and the saritirical representation of local marriage. At Feres, Evros, it coincides with the celebration of carnival. Camel is the protagonist of the last Sunday of carnival.

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2/10/2006
Babougera

A company of masqueraded men in zoomorphic costumes (boubougeri) with hanging bells is the leader when the custom is performed at Kali Vrisi, Drama, on the 6th of January. The teams of Boubougeri are wondering around the alleys of the village and tease people passing by. Boubougera abduct the bride when the fake contumelious marriage is performed.

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3/10/2006
Momogeri / Momogeria

Popular, satirical ritual with pre theatrical form. It is performed by Pontians with variations at the prefecture of Drama (Platania and Sitagri) and Rodopi (Thrilorio). The revival is performed at the houses’ yards and the squares during the Dodekaimeron (between the 17th of December and the 1st of January). The main protagonist is Momogeros or Kiti Gotsas with his company: the bride and the groom, Ali (a man on a horse), the father and the doctor, the musician, the best man, the ranger, two little devils, the pregnant woman and their company.

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3/10/2006
Egg battles

A competition of breaking eggs during the Easter days. Pontian cultural club of Thrilorio of Rodopi’s Prefecture.

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4/10/2006
Anastenaria

One of the most characteristic performances of the Greek popular ritual, Anastenaria, is given in honor of the St. Konstantinos and Heleni on the 21st of May at Mavrolefki –Drama-, Lagadas –Thessaloniki-, Meliki –Imathia- and Agia Eleni -Seres. The panigiri (fest) begins at the celebration’s eve and lasts for four days. There is a ritual dance at the konaki, the holy house of Anastenarides (the ones walking on burning coals), in front of the icons of the saints and with the accompaniment of lira (chordophone), gaida (aerophone) and davul (membranophone). Walking on burning coals is followed by a ritual dinner on the day of the panigiri fest.

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4/10/2006
Carnival

Carnival parade of masqueraded people at Choristi, Drama, with a grand participation.

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21/11/2006
Horse races

An old custom including horse parading and riding is revived very year on the 2nd of May at Doxato, Drama.

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