The elder inhabitants of Kato Platres kept many customs that they associated with their various feasts/celebrations. Today quite a few of those customs belong to the past, while some others have arrived to replenish those that were negated.
Christmas -New Year's Day.
General cleaning, whitewashing the houses, and preparing for the large feast of Christmas started in the first days of December. Family gatherings on Christmas day continue until today.
Epiphany Day.
The village's Priest visits all the houses of the community and performs a sanctification (Holy Water rites). It is believed that in this way evil is exorcised from the house and the blessing of God descends.
Easter.
The making of "flaounes" (cheese and raisin pastry) in the traditional manner is done on Wednesday and Thursday of Passion Week. The carrying of the Epitaph in the streets of the community takes place during Good Friday and the painting of the red eggs is done on Saturday. On Easter Sunday, the traditional games "Xeropotamos", "Sytzia", rope pulling, and "Ditzimi" have been replaced by donkey, sack, and egg racing.
Carnival.
In the old times, the people would masquerade on Carnival Sunday and tour the houses of friends and acquaintances. Unfortunately this custom does not exist today. On Shrove Monday, all the inhabitants of the village, along with their friends and relatives, charge to the fields for the end of the Lent period feast.
Palouzes - Siousioukos
During the month of October, after the harvest of grapes, every housewife used the grape juice to make her own "Palouze" (must jelly) and "Siousiouko" (dried must jelly with nuts on a string). They also produced the traditional "Zivania" (strong, transparent, alcoholic beverage). The making of these tasty items is still done today. |
