Traditions of Carnival, the "Vlach wedding" Thebes

The Vlach wedding is a Halloween custom has prevailed in Thebes by 1830. It is a combination of Dionysian worship, the pastoral traditions of the Vlachs and the Christian feasts. The custom is a satirical variant of committing a pastoral marriage incorporating elements and habits of the Vlachs who settled in Thebes (in Vlachomachala) after their descent from Aspropotamos Pindos. The performance takes place in 4 phases that occur Tsiknopepmti, Sunday Cheesefare, Clean Monday and the day of the feast of St. Theodore Tyron.

DIONYSIA

The god Dionysus or Bacchus, He was the son of Zeus and Queen of Thebes, Semele and represents spring, the fertility and renewal of nature, wine and revelry.

In the Dionysian - Bacchic celebrations, the Dionysia, people, disguised, They are dancing and playing noisy music, fluted, cymbals, drums etc.. On his head wearing a wreath of ivy, the face satirical masks - masks and placed between their legs oversize phallus who made of wood fig.

The "rec Dionysia" or "Flower Festival" were held in the spring, that is the time when nature is reborn in Winter. They were intended to propel humans in joy, the party and the self-awareness of spiritual and mental deliverance. During the holidays dominated phallic songs, pyrrhic dances, wine drinking, mocking dialogues, funny teasing, obscene gestures and representations of death and resurrection. The same rites with Dionysian did the shepherds to germinate their land and be able to graze their flocks.

Carnival

Halloween, are remnants of Dionysian worship and combine disguises, food and dances of this worship with Christian festivals that are set before M. Lent, until Clean Monday.

Clean Monday celebrating koulouma ie the group of people leaving to nature with food, singing and feasting. The koulouma known also as Kouloumpis, Koumoulos, koumoulathes Koumoulos. The word koulouma probably comes from the Latin word «columna», meaning column as the Athenians long been used to celebrate Ash Monday in the Temple of Olympian Zeus.

After Shrove Tuesday, next Saturday, Christian religion celebrates the miracle of boiled wheat St. Theodore Tyron, which is a movable feast (43 days before Easter) and connects to Mardi Gras.

The Vlach Wedding as a vestige of the ancient orgiastic Dionysian cult is a group celebration, getting drunk, the procession, the pyrrhic dance, Banners with the decorated with oranges (reed in a cross shape on 4 Tips put fruits and flowers as symbols of prosperity and Efkarpias for new life), the crooks (variations of Bacchic thyrsos, a straight branch with tufted tip held against their dionysiac dances), satire, the obscenities and teasing, dance and binge drinking wine, leaps and cries, The "Panousis» (representation of retainer) with oversized model of the phallus and the bells in the legs, the "actress or ridiculous», with their peculiar costume (Curled tied up in white socks, like ancient sandals, with branches of ivy on their heads) and "dance of the dead», symbolizing the rebirth of nature and the victory of life over death.

The "dance of the dead" has been incorporated into the ritual of Vlach Wedding as directly linked to February, month of care of the dead and lustral. The name February comes from the Latin Februarius and februare verb meaning clean and purify. During the Roman year, the latter months of the year was February, celebrated Februa, a purifying catharsis celebration and that has to do with death is considered contaminated and must be cleaned. The Christian religion has included all Psychosavvata time, in this month.

VLACHIKOS MARRIAGE

If you visit Thebes Halloween you will be able to watch and participate in the revival of Vlach Wedding through the following events :

the Grill Day "Grabbed" the leaven of the Vlach Wedding. the "mpouloukia», ie groups of Vlachs, night gathered in the city taverns with attendees and fun until dawn with local institutions, the drums and the flute. All herald the joys and drunkenness to come.

the Sunday Tyrinis, at noon, the "captains" by "Panousi» (servant), the Standard (Flag of marriage), the tabor and flute, hover around the Vlach haunts and rally his men "mpouloukiou». The groups gathered on the main pedestrian street, Epaminondas the road to Thebes Square and begin songs, dances and drink, the feast to last until late at night.

the Green Monday, in the morning, The feast begins with the voices of "Skaros» (reveille Vlachs).

Each "mob"Lit a fire in the main square, the pedestrian street Epaminondas and bake on the embers "propyra», namely pie bride. Around the fire the men dance the pyrrhic dance.

The pyrrhic dance, It was an ancient Greek dance in which Plato was part of Dionysian worship and there were 2 items, The "Peaceful" and "warlike". The 'peaceful' was a dance banquet, with the participation of men and women in a circle and the "martial" was done by groups of warriors separated into defenders and attackers. The Spartans They considered it a kind of military training and learned by young children.

Today this dance is danced by Pontius, only men, (women were forbidden to dance the pyrrhic) except that instead of dancers form a circle, forming a straight line.

The feasting and dancing continued the pedestrian Epaminondas until 12.00 noon and then the friends gathered at the picturesque chapel of "Trinity"Food and wine, before start wedding Procession and the ceremony of Vlach Wedding. Together Vlachs pave common table, with "official guests'Wedding and guests, with fasting food and retsina area to flow abundant.

At 3.00 noon starts Wedding Procession, to "market" ie the city center, with "groom"And"Bride» (usually a man dressed as bride) on trolley, which dragged horses.

The "crowds" and guests follow the carriage dancing until the procession to arrive, at about 5.00 afternoon, Epaminondas in street. There is positioned huts, the "lodgings of relation by marriage», waiting for the couple to "engagements", ie matchmaking.

There will be the "shaving" of the "Bridegroom" and mocking the famous dialogue between two "in laws", the Vlach pronunciation for ... "defect" of the "Bride". Announces the grand secret of 'Bride' and finally the 'in laws' shake hands and agree to the marriage. The celebration culminates with drums beating Vlachs until morning Tuesday. The last ritual of Vlach Wedding is "dance dead», in the "Agianni 'Square.

In celebration of St. Theodore, next Saturday after the Shrove Tuesday, the 'Bride' returns to the paternal home to visit their own and this is cause for new feasts and dances.

Parallel Events

VAGIA THIVON

Flambouro price, Sunday is the Tyrinis, morning and is a representation of Vlach Wedding.

the Maypole, It is Clean Monday and danced with 6 dancers couples, around a large pole that holds a group. At the top of the pole is holding each colorful ribbons, The "carousel". Each dancer holds a ribbon and singing a song turns around and passes, once inside and another one outside another dancer, so be twisted ribbons on the pole creating various color schemes.

The custom danced by youth and students of Vagia and follow traditional dances, songs and Lenten dishes are offered to all guests, from the Association of Women Vagia.

Kaparelli THIVON

Kithaironeia, made Sunday Cheesefare, in the morning, with traditional dances and songs, maypole, free food and wine for all visitors.

PLATAIES THIVON

feast bean soup – maypole, Clean Monday, with traditional music, dance, carousel and offered free soup, Lenten meals, Lagana and wine, All visitors.

ACCESS

Thebes is Athens, about 93 km, with easy access via the National Road. Athens - Lamia or the PEO. Athens - Thiva.

You can also get in Thebes by bus N.. Viotia or train OSE to Thebes Railway Station.

Vagia belonging to the municipality Thebans and refrain from Thebes 15 km.

Plataea also belong to the municipality Thebans and refrain from Thebes about 18 km.

If you find yourself in Thebes for Halloween you can visit the New Archaeological Museum of Thebes.

more about’ this can be found in our related article: New Archaeological Museum of Thebes.

USEFUL ADDRESSES

Cultural Center of the Municipality of Thiva, tel. : 22623 29244

Municipality of Plataea, tel. : 22620 98227

Municipality of Thiva, tel. : 22623-50600-2, www.thiva.gr

bus N.. Viotia, hearth 10, Thebes, tel. : 2262027511-2, www.ktelthivas.gr