customs Epiphany, the Events of Volakas Drama

the "Events of Volakas"Is a custom disguises the Twelve, made in Volakas Drama, every year on 6,7 and 8 January. Analysts say the happening "Custom Baras» (6/1), the "Custom of nigger» (7/1) and "Custom Wedding and bears» (8/1).

These traditions, the "chantetia», as they say in Drama, pagan and is related to the ancient worship of Dionysus. Made by the Twelve, the period that begins after Christmas and ends on Epiphany Day and coincide with the winter tees Sun, i.e. with a bend in the annual cycle of the sun.

CUSTOM OF nigger

The "Custom nigger», performed at Volakas in 7 January, day of the feast of St. John the Baptist. Considered the most impressive of all the events and consists of groups 5-6 people are disguised as "Niggers".

The "Niggers" is carnivals substance having the face and hands blackened with soot. They wear on their backs hunched, made of a rug full of straw, in the middle of the bells zonontai, head covered with fleece and hands holding a thick wood, on which the support body. Wander keeping their bodies bowed, under the weight of the projection and improvised dance and lateral movements, beats the noisy bells, giving their rhythm.

Along with each group 'nigger' is the 'Tsaousis" and the "bride», who in their own way, contribute in dance and tease the world. This custom is performed by the sounds of traditional music, through the bagpipe, the ntachare and lyre. Wine and raki flows abundant and cauldrons with cooked goat await the visitor to the taste.

CUSTOM of marriage and Bear

The "Custom Wedding and bears"Performed at Volakas in 8 January. It is a satirical representation of the local wedding, which starts in the morning and ends in the afternoon, with collective revelry.

On the day of the "Wedding" come out and "Bears" which are groups of disguised, wearing skins. In each group there is a "arkoudiaris», who directs the "Bears", with tambourine and dancing urges.
For 2018, the "Koumpario Wedding», It will be made by the Progressive Union of Xanthi, (FEX).

His role "best man"And related to" Custom Wedding "follows the following program:

Sunday 7 January 2018 (afternoon)

1^The call the "piggy bank" by the Cultural Association of Volakas, with song, dance and cherries offer.

Monday 8 January 2018 (morning - midday)

2^The call of 'piggy bank', accompanied by cherry and reunion with Groom
Visit to the home "Bride"
Ritual fertility rites
Commission 'Wedding' Square
Dance and song for all

ACCESS Volakas Drama

Volakas is Mount Baldy and is 12 km from the ski center of Falakro (2.100 m), 24 km from Nevrokopi and 32 km from Drama. The village is situated at an altitude 830 m. and has about, 1.200 residents.

It is known winter destination, because of the ski resort and the events held during "Events of the Twelve"And especially in"Traditions Epiphany».

useful information

Organization – information: FEX, Folklore Museum, tel. : 2541025421- 6937120986, www.fex.org.gr , www.chrysallida.gr

Municipality of Kato Nevrokopi, tel. : 25233-50102233-50102