Tradional Kalanta (Carols) of Greek

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Griffin Ford
6 years ago
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They are caroled mainly by children but also by elders as well (individually or in groups).

or violin. The Kalanta song is chanted on specific days of the year mainly on Christmas, on new years day (St. Vassilios day as the Orthodox Church believes) or on the Epiphany day.

1 Christmas Tradional Customs of Cyprus... In Cyprus during Cristmas celebration there are several customs and traditions regarding Cristmas New Year and Theofaneia ( baptise of Jesus) celebration. We present you some of our customs. Tradional Kalanta (Carols) of Greek Kalanta (translated in English as carols but without exactly having the same meaning) are songs with a religious character. They are caroled mainly by children but also by elders as well (individually or in groups). People who sing kalanta go from door to door accompanied by a traditional music instrument that is called triangle or by other music instruments like harmonica, accordion, tambour, guitar or violin. The Kalanta song is chanted on specific days of the year mainly on Christmas, on new years day (St. Vassilios day as the Orthodox Church believes) or on the Epiphany day. The singers are given offerings by the head of the household. In old days they used to give as presents, things from their agriculture production like fruits, nuts, traditional food or sweets. In recent years they offer money which is sometimes used for philanthropic purposes. Kalanta songs have a particular structure. First they start with greetings; then at the second part they emphasize on the meaning of the Christian days and finish with hopes and wishes. The name of kalanta is coming from the Latin word calenda which is structured from the Greek verb καλώ»(kalo=invite). The custom of kalanta songs preexisted in ancient Greece. The

children who sung kalanta used to hold a brunch of olive or daphne tree, decorated with fruits and white wool. They were singing from door to door and were given presents from the householders.

2 children who sung kalanta used to hold a brunch of olive or daphne tree, decorated with fruits and white wool. They were singing from door to door and were given presents from the householders. Later, Romans adopted this custom. In Byzantium kalanta children who sang the song were holding crooks, lanterns or decorated small ships. The songs were also accompanied by a triangle instrument or tambour. Nowadays, Kalanta songs exist in a big variety in all parts of Greece and Cyprus. In this range of songs one can find the Cypriot kalanta songs that remain an integral part of the Greek tradition. You Santa Claus On the night of New Year s Eve, people who have fireplaces at home, cut leaves from olive trees and throw them into the fireplace. At the same time, they say this song: Santa Claus, show me if..loves me And they say the name of the person they want to find out if he/she loves them. If the leaf jumps up/ burns noisily that means that the person who wished for loves them! The cake of Santa Claus (Saint Basil) Around 1500 years ago, St. Basil, was the Christ of Kesaria. One day, a general demanded to give him all the treasures, or else he will take over the city. When it rose up,the general decided to surround the Kesarria. He required to see the Christ who was at the church and he was praying. The

angry general demanded the gold of the town and the other property of the town. St Basil answered that the citizens of the town didn t have anything to give him.

3 angry general demanded the gold of the town and the other property of the town. St Basil answered that the citizens of the town didn t have anything to give him. When the general heard it he became angrier and he threatened St. Basil. The Christians of Kesaria loved their Christ and they wanted to help him. They gathered all jewelries and they gave them to him. The general told to his army to attack the poor people of the town. The Christ, St. Basil wanted to protect his town, he was praying and then he showed to the general that the jewelries were in a chest. But the moment when the general touched his hands to the jewelries, the big miracle happened! All the focused people saw a light and a brilliant rider was rushing into the tough general and his army. In minimum time the evil general and his army disappeared! The brilliant rider was St. Merkourios and his army were the angels! The town of Kesaria saved. The Christ had to share the jewelries to the citizens and the sharing must be fair. Everyone must get what belongs to them. St. Basil was praying and the God told him what he had to do. He called the deacons and their helpers and he told them to ferment bread but inside of every bread they had to put one jewelry. He shared like a blessing to the citizens of Kesaria. At the start, the people felt strange but the surprise was bigger when every family cut the bread and they found their jewelries. It was that secoal cake, the new year cake. It brought to the people happiness and blessing. Since then, we cook the new year cake with the coin inside, the first day of the year, the day of St. Basil. A Cypriot tradition for the day of Jesus Christening Kalimera tzie ta Fota tzie tin pouloustrina prota According to the Cypriot tradition people are going to church in the morning of the 6 th of January. On that day we celebrate the Christening of Jesus. This is a very big day for Christians Orthodox! After the mass the children are visiting their godparents and relatives and they sing this rhyme Kalimera tzie ta Fota tzie tin pouloustrina prota which means Goodmorning to all of you! Can you please give your present please on this glorious day that we celebrate the Jesus Christening? The godparents have to give their godchildren an amount of money as gift. Kalimera tzie ta Fota tzie tin pouloustrina prota

Others think that they are strange hairy creatures who squeeze themselves in our houses through the chimneys. In the evenings they come in the houses and steal anything that is eatable.

4 The tradition of Kalikantzaroi Kalikantzaroi is a very old tradition of our country. They come on earth on Christmas day. Some say they are bad or good spirits who live deep in the earth and try to cut the tree that holds the earth. Others think that they are strange hairy creatures who squeeze themselves in our houses through the chimneys. In the evenings they come in the houses and steal anything that is eatable. When they finish their dinner they start their dance. On the 6th of January the Kalikanzaroi hurry to leave before the priest bless the streets with holly water. They say Fortoste na fortosoume kai anteste na fifoume giati eftase o tourlopapas me tin agiastoura tou which means Let s hurry up and leave before we get a sprinkle of that holly water from the priest then they go and live in the earth until next Christmas. On their last day on earth housewives are trying to deceive them by offering them sweets, so they fry them special pies with honey. The housewives throw the pies on the roof of their house because they believe that they are going to eat them and then leave. They say this chant Titsin titsin loukanikon kommatin kserotianon rikse stous kalikantzarous, na fasin tzie na fiousin which means Let s throw them this food so they will eat and then leave us Theophania Theophany On this day the Orthodox Christians remember the baptism of Jesus Christ by St John the Forerunner. The word itself means that God was presented to us. On this day people

times of illness and other personal or family adversities. After the mass the priest and the Christians go to the sea to bless the waters.

5 go to church to celebrate Jesus s baptism. The Orthodox receive sanctified water at the end of the special service and with it sanctify their homes, gardens, and other possessions while some preserve it for the entire year partaking of it at times of illness and other personal or family adversities. After the mass the priest and the Christians go to the sea to bless the waters. Sanctifying the waters is the most characteristic feature of the day. At this special occasion many daring young Greek men brave the chilly waters to dive for a cross after it has been blessed by a priest and thrown into the water. For his gallantry, the first man who recovers the cross is said to have good luck throughout the coming year. The day long festival also features the blessing of small boats and ships.

SANTA S ELVES SHOPPING AT CHRISTMAS

SANTA S ELVES SHOPPING AT CHRISTMAS I love shopping at Christmas because everyone is happy. The shop windows are wonderful and the streets are full of lights and songs. People buy a lot of presents, glowing