Thursday 28 June 2018

Modern Day Maidens

We went to watch this years burning of the May day wreaths and the maidens pretending to dream of their future amore mio in a centuries old greek pagan rite.

Grandaughters were taking part in the enactment of the dream-time 



Ye olde greek maidens in strappy t-shirts.  It was a hot summer night.  They are carrying clay water jugs by the way.  

They go to the well in silence, pour water into a clay pot, add a personal item and  go to sleep to dream of lovers/husbands/partners.  Sleeping maidens got the giggles.

At daylight maidens arise and open the clay pot with the water and their rings/clips/bracelts.  As each goes to retrieve her personal object a funny and sometimes rude verse is read out ot them

describing them
 as having oranges for breasts and tomatoes between their legs 
or
 with breasts like melons, dark eyes and the waist of a wasp

no-one will want to marry you, you're like a two legged camel

As a storm breaks out and octopuses come ashore
then you will get married with your crooked legs

You're as tall as a cyprus tree
girl next-door, I'll take you

The bawdier the better.  The old crones were cackling 




And then the fire was lit and everyone, especially small boys jumped the flames.  Grandson with one of those haircuts where long hair on the top falls over his face  wore a cap so as not to singe his locks but one of the girls with long hair got hers sizzled




This is where the fire has died down.  The flames grew higher and higher to the small boys' delight


Last night I was watching Joanna Lumley on her greek odyssey.  She attended this festivity in northern Greece and nimbly jumped the fire





Next evening grandaughters took part in a dance evening
Here they are doing a bit of Bollywood.


Oldest grandaughter is quite grown up now.  Sniff sniff says her mother, her little girl is no longer so little.  Here she is dancing a tango

Some of the summer festivities which take place on the island. The dancing was supposed to place in an outdoor amphitheatre but we were in the middle of storm Nefeli and had a night of torrential rain



16 comments:

  1. It's all go on Poros, sounds like great fun!

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  2. I think your grandchildren have a very social life with school, sport, traditions, family, friends and fun, even dancing the tango! The maidens, dancers and the tango dancer are beautiful.
    Greetings Maria x

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    1. They do have a great childhood. Lots for them to take part in f they want and safe too

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    2. They do have a great childhood. Lots for them to take part in f they want and safe too

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  3. Fun community life. I suppose it goes on here to in its own way but unless you are part of it you never see it. My sister-in-law was forever making costumes and outfits for my niece when she was growing up and things going on every weekend. There always seemed to be far more things involved for the girls than for the boys and they never had to go through much for my nephew except taking him to like go-karts and sport activities. Interesting post.

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    1. You're right. We only go to all these events because the grandchildren are involved but there is always a good audience. Boys can row, play football, or do wild things at the beach, though some do act in the theatrical events

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  4. You always have something to celebrate end to be involve in community life,I think it is a wonderful way of life.

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    1. Summer is a busy time. There always seem to be something going on. The mayor is good at bringing concerts and exhibitions to the island too

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  5. Again, I love reading about your traditions and celebrations. It is highly doubtful that any fire leaping could occur here - too much of a chance of somebody suing someone for pain and damages. I like how the younger generation continues on. -Jenn

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    1. It occurred to me that it was all a bit dangerous. No ambulance or nurse around either but this is the way it has been done for generations.

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  6. Delightful. Keeping old ways alive, even with giggles.

    But how does anyone jump that fire??!!!???!!!????

    This is the oldest grand daughter, whom you featured before... Doing a race and then on to do something else the same day, I think.

    She is gorgeous, and they do look older, all done up with makeup and costume and etc. :-)

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  7. Nels is a wonder. She's a rowing and running champ, is in the dance and theatre troup and takes part in loads f island activities. Endless energy!

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    1. I used to jump the fire too in my younger days. I almost fell in once. I was wearing a tight skirt and couldn't jump properly. Everyone is having a go and you can always wait for it to die down a bit.small boys are more daring

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  8. Well that does sound like fun, hope the boy that got his hair caught on fire was ok

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    1. There was a smell f singed hair but it wasn't as bad as it smelled

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