Customs and tradition

Carnival

The carnival figures among the most popular ones in Greece.  On carnival Sunday , people stroll around the town’s streets dressed in pagan costumes ,holding and wearing a great number of bells.  Those disguised as “Geri” (old people) wear a black woolen cape and a mask made of goat skin.”Koreles” (young girls) are ,in fact, men disguised in women’s traditional costumes and masks.   The “Francs” are men dancing in European pants and carrying a noisy bell.  According to a legend, this custom reminisces the story of an old shepherd whose flock of sheep died due to a harsh winter and wandered in the island’s streets,  to share his calamity and wearing his sheep bells.  When reviving the custom of “Trata, the islanders are dressed as seamen bring a fishing boat at the central square of the Hora.  Satiric verses are recited and the festivities are culminating the next day.

  Marriages and Christennings

Guests are not invited, instead, the family of the bride and the groom pass by people’s houses offering them pancakes, which are offered again during the ceremony.