Apocryes in Greece
Description:
Apocries is a tradition of the Greek hinterland. Traditionally, folk carnivals are held in different parts of Greece, where ancient traditions of dressing have been preserved or restored. So, for example, in the cities of Patra, Xanthi, Cerres, Naouse, Greven, Thebes, on the island of Chios, everything shudders from carnival processions and festivities. Local customs and rituals have been preserved in these areas. In Sparta, Khanty, Kefalinia and other cities, a parade of chariots and processions in carnival costumes are held.
The culmination of Apocries is Thursday - "Tsiknopemti" - the day when the Greeks go out dressed in the streets of cities and have fun. On this day, people traditionally eat fried meat before Lent and say goodbye to meat! "Cicniso" in translation means "to fry meat on fire."
In many villages of Greece, especially in the Peloponnese, there was a custom in the first week of apocries to slaughter a pig. A cross was scratched out on the chest and three coals with incense were lit. Then, eating roasted pork, everyone wished each other many years. Children ate boiled pork liver, thus celebrating carnival.
In the days of apocries, various superstitions and omens were resurrected, cheerful and sometimes obscene songs were sung, theatrical performances were arranged, feast and spree reigned everywhere. These holidays helped people to forget about differences in social status, gave the opportunity to sincerely express feelings and desires and simply enjoy life.
Carnival is like all other carnivals these days. People go out with flaps, serpentine, masks. Children and young people are dressed in different costumes that are sold and rented on every corner. And in the old days, when people had not yet traveled so much and so far, and each lived in his own village, the festivities were more popular. These days, men changed into women and women into men. Children burned big bonfires on the roads. They walked around the city, dancing and holding hands.
The “apocries” ends on Clean Monday, the day of the beginning of Lent. The tradition of dressing up in the Apocries period is ancient, connected with paganism. Christianity does not welcome carnival.