Clean Monday: Customs all over Greece

Clean Monday: Customs all over Greece

Greek tradition is full of customs for both Carnival and Clean Monday The customs for the celebration of “Koulouma“ are celebrated differently from region to region, with various events, with the main characteristic being fun, dancing and singing.

Clean Monday marks the end of the Carnival and is the first day of Lent, that is, the great fast of Easter that lasts 40 days as long as the fasting days of Christ in the desert. From a long time ago, Clean Monday was imprinted in people‘s minds as a day of purification.

The Kite

In Greek tradition, the flight of the kite symbolizes the flight of soul to its Creator. Young people and thw olderones beg for a favorable wind so that they have him as his ally so that their kite can fly as high as it can..

The Lagana

It is an essential part of the Clean Monday table. This is a bread that is made without sourdough and is consumed exclusively on this day. Although it has its roots in ancient times, in recent years it has been released in many variations but with its traditional version being the one preferred by most

Local Customs

“Koutroulis‘s Wedding” in Methoni – the revival of a real wedding that left an era in the 14th century – takes place every Clean Monday with a strong satirical mood and teasing for the bride.

In the villages of Meronas and Melidonia of Rethymno, customs such as stealing the bride and smudging are revived, which, combined with good wine and the sounds of the lyre, are a unique experience.

The “Vlach wedding” of Thebes, an ancient custom that takes place traditionally with the shaving of the groom and the decoration of the bride, who is actually a man.

In Skyros, almost all residents in traditional costumes descend on the square of the island, where they dance and sing local dances.

In the Archangel of Rhodes, the events of Clean Monday culminate in the “mouzomata” and the “flouromata“, along with the feast, the disguises and the satire.

The custom of “Aga” in Mesta and Olympus of Chios. Agas, a strict judge, judges and condemns with humor and teasing the spectators of the custom.

The custom of “Kalogeros“ in Thrace, two monks, babo with her seven-month–old child, two girls or brides, two goats and two gendarmes the faces. The monks are disguised in animal skins, face shields made of leather and carry bells and a bow representing scenes from the daily life of the inhabitants.