A special Easter custom that is still observed in the small village of Spoa in Karpathos is the custom of “Seeing”. The whole village is divided into two groups, one of men and one of women of all ages, who compete with each other, pulling a large rope from each side and trying to have one team pull the other and win.

Previously, the custom was performed during Great Lent, but in recent years it has been performed on Bright Week, namely on Monday, and almost all the inhabitants of the village participate in it.

The custom ends with mandinades, when one group teases another, and, of course, the traditional feast.

Ilias Em explains to APE-MPE how this custom originates, which does not exist on any other island in the Dodecanese and whose roots are lost in the depths of time. Vasilaras, President of the Karpathos Folk Culture Institute.

“On the Sundays of Great Lent, “wires” were also made. However, little by little they were transferred during Holy Week, usually on Monday, and thus the Spoyites and Spoyitis get the opportunity to celebrate their victory, because, starting from the Resurrection of the Lord, disarmed due to Great Lent, local musical instruments are hung from their position , lyre, lute and lute … When the signal is given to start the “wiring”, the voices reach the sky. The rope is stretched so much that it can break. The tantalizing mandins are spreading fast. Women always catch up, but men do not leave them unanswered either. But the tools were also not long in coming. When the feast is arranged and the dance is admirable. Young people have been waiting for this development and are moving towards it. The party and dancing downstairs monopolizes all other hours.”

“Confrontation” is immediately forgotten with the effervescence of the top dance, which now provides an opportunity for young people to show their dancing prowess. But it also gives the girls the opportunity at some point to find themselves dancers for those who are interested in them. Let them accept a discreet handshake, and let the white handkerchief that girls always carry with them to dances serve as an intermediary,” concludes Mr. Vasilaras.

Source: RES-IPE