Folk culture in the area of Drama, just as throughout the rest of northern Greece, is of particular interest not only because the richness and distinctiveness of its various forms but also of the fact that elements of ancient Greek and Byzantine tradition have survived or resonate in it even today.
It should be stressed in the most flattering of ways that the residents of Drama show a particular respect for their local traditions which have remained unimpaired in this border area and through difficult times, through slavery and machinations of other nations. The same respect for tradition is shown by those people uprooted from Eastern Thrace, Pontus and other areas where Greeks once lived who found a home and acceptance in the area of Drama, making it their home away from home as creative members of the local
community.
The days around the Epiphany are of particular interest in terms of local customs with a large number of events and happenings taking place with fancy dress playing an important role combined with bells, song, dance, inventive performance and various re-enactments.
The following day, 8th January, in the same village, a local wedding is reenacted. The same day "Bears" come out onto the streets, in other words men dressed up in complete fleeces. It should be noted that in Volakas this day is dedicated to "Mammi" (the midwife) who is brought various gifts by mothers. This is a custom which retains elements from similar ceremonies performed in ancient times with strong fertility characteristics such as the feasts of Thesmop
horia and Aloa.
During the twelve days of Christmas in villages where there is a strong presence of refugees from Pontus (Sitagri and so on) a common form of celebration are the Momo-yeri, a form a popular, traditional theatre which is now a form of entertainment but which in its original form was aimed at bringing prosperity to the village and it residents during the new year.
It should be stressed in the most flattering of ways that the residents of Drama show a particular respect for their local traditions which have remained unimpaired in this border area and through difficult times, through slavery and machinations of other nations. The same respect for tradition is shown by those people uprooted from Eastern Thrace, Pontus and other areas where Greeks once lived who found a home and acceptance in the area of Drama, making it their home away from home as creative members of the local
community.The days around the Epiphany are of particular interest in terms of local customs with a large number of events and happenings taking place with fancy dress playing an important role combined with bells, song, dance, inventive performance and various re-enactments.
The following day, 8th January, in the same village, a local wedding is reenacted. The same day "Bears" come out onto the streets, in other words men dressed up in complete fleeces. It should be noted that in Volakas this day is dedicated to "Mammi" (the midwife) who is brought various gifts by mothers. This is a custom which retains elements from similar ceremonies performed in ancient times with strong fertility characteristics such as the feasts of Thesmop
horia and Aloa.During the twelve days of Christmas in villages where there is a strong presence of refugees from Pontus (Sitagri and so on) a common form of celebration are the Momo-yeri, a form a popular, traditional theatre which is now a form of entertainment but which in its original form was aimed at bringing prosperity to the village and it residents during the new year.
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