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CUSTOMS OF VERIA
Andreadis VenediktosBordenas VlassisKalligas Dimitris
Meliopoulos Konstantinos
The ancient custom of “Klidonas” or Gkaleata
The custom Gkaleata, which preserves ancient symbolism, takes place in the summer season, June 23 to 24. An elderly woman, symbolizing the great mother earth, goddess of fertility, gathered all the young unmarried girls of the neighbourhood near a faucet with running water. They carried a vessel adorned with flowers and they would fill it with water and throw a piece of jewellery in it while singing. This would bring good luck and prosperity, and relieve pain.
"The Song of the Swallows" According to tradition, on 1 March, the children make a wooden effigy of a swallow and a basket. They then visit the village’s or town’s houses and sing this song getting a symbolic treat. The idea of this custom is to welcome the new season.
”The Rougkatsia” The Rougkatsia is a custom that was formerly in all villages but today has almost disappeared. A group of young people of every village dressed in traditional Greek costumes (foustanela) accompanied by musical instruments goes around the neighboring villages and dance the New Year until the day of the Epiphany (January 6). Dance is held throughout the day and the team goes from house to house, where they are offered wine and appetizers. If two teams from different villages meet randomly on the street they have to fight with wooden swords . The losers have to pass under the raised swords of the winners in submission.
"Fires" An important custom of the region are the fires set in the evening of June 23, the eve of the birthday of St. John the Kleidona as he has come to be called. Fires are lit in neighbourhoods and kids jump above them because as it is believed it offers health and longevity. Also girls carry water in traditional vessels into which they have put their rings to see whom they will marry. The roots of this custom is pre-Christian and takes us back to the initiation rites of the ancient Greeks demonstrating the origin of the local residents.
