WATER AND OUR TRADITIONS 1

Water, source and symbol of life, became a holy element since the early civilizations. In Greece we find Nymphs and Fairies of lakes, springs and rivers. Elves and gnomes flooded in our folk culture and accompanied or still accompany the lives of many people in their events. The fountains, wells, the pitchers, the manganese, the mills, the watermills, the aqueducts, the bridges on the other hand reveal the human effort to harness and take advantage of this vital resource: water. 2

The attempt of man to explain the natural environment and the inability or difficulty to do this successfully, created the soul of irrational beliefs regarding the presence and influence of random events in a positive or negative outcome of his actions. 3

II. Traditions based on water 4

1. The « barbaparusa » Tradition In Arta, in the old days, when it wasn’t raining and was drought, people did some rituals to appease the god and to make it rain. People would dress someone up with leaves, tie him up, and then follow him while holding a flagon of water and wet him. He would go from house to house and the women of the village would wet him and then sing a song. 5

2. The Christmas tradition: the feeding of the fount Early in the morning of Christmas day, the women go to the closest fount to “steal the ‘akrado’ water”, which means speechless, because they do not talk with each other on the way. When they get there they feed the fount with candy and sing a song. Then they throw blackberry leaves in the pitcher and 3 rubble “steal” the water. Then they go home remaining speechless. When they get there, they all drink from it and sprinkle some to all 4 corners of the house. 6

3. The New Water During New Years, there are customs all over Greece, by which people believe they can get good health, good crops, and happiness for the entire year. When the year changes, people empty their pitchers from water so that they can put the new water in. 7

4. Wedding Traditions In some areas of Greece in the old days people used to pour water on the bride’s feet, for good luck, before she left her parents’ house. Also before the bride went to the church to be married, she’d be led to a fount where plenty of pure water flows. That’s where people wish the couple happiness and long life together. They say their wishes to the water because they consider it as the symbol of happiness. 8

In the old days, the most important element of a dowry in Sparta was the cistern. “Glysterna” as they called it, because water was considered a treasure to the people of old Mani. More valuable than estates and hand- made costumes, and sometimes even more than the bride herself. 9

In some other parts, after the wedding ceremony and the festivities with all the relatives at home, they used to go to the village fount early in the morning. There, the bride was getting water to drink and served all the guests too. 10

It takes place on June 24 th on St. John the “Rooter”. Since the beginning of the feast the children collect things and throw them in a jug filled with water by a woman who has both of her parents. At night she leaves it out under the stars. The girl remains silent through the entire time. The day of St. John everyone gathers up around the jug and pulling the things out they say some verses jokingly. 11 The Custom of the Radical

6. The processions for rain. When seeding is delayed due to drought, people resort to processions. Following service in the church, the priest and some faithful people take some church paintings and go to the fields where the priest reads the special wishes and together we beg God to send the blessed rain. 12

7. Water in Religion The Epiphany is a feast tied to the life-giving element of water, which is sanctified with the holiness of 5 and 6 January. Through water, and even the holy water the concept of purification and freedom from the demons of evil, which exists in the customs of the Epiphany, is realized and implemented. The Baptism of Christ is the most important religious occasion to renew the water and, through it, the whole nature. 13

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In Islam: The Muslims are praying 5 times per day towards Mecca. Before each prayer, they wash their hands, feet, ears and mouth and take off their shoes before entering the mosque for prayer. In Hinduism: The Hindus consider sacred the water of the Ganges and enter them to get healed. On its shores there are holy cities where faithful go to pray. The pilgrims also pour water into the Ganges as an offering to their gods. Hindus in February or March celebrating the return of spring. Then they go out on the streets, make big fires and sprinkle each other with colored powder or water. 15

8. Other traditions When a woman is about to give birth, people pure some water on her so that the baby slides down easier, like water. When someone goes on a trip, people throw water behind him so that his path flows like water. There is a belief that water rests for a few hours. If anyone ever be found in front of sleeping water, he shouldn’t talk, because something very bad might happen to him. If he wants to drink some, he should first agitate it to wake it up. 16

III. Words and phrases relative to water 17

Details of linguistic tradition, through which one can know the temperament, culture, everyday life of yesteryear and today are the number of words and phrases recorded in connection with the water. 18

He doesn’t give water to his guardian angel. (He only cares about his own needs) He’s out of his own waters. (unknown environment for him) He made a hole in the water. (he achieved nothing) The water got into the channel (things got started) He carries water in the sieve. (what he does is completely futile) He reeled off his piece as if it were running water (he reeled it off quickly and without any mistakes-as if he were reading it) 19

IV. Names 20

Κρυονέρι, Νερομάνα, Καλό Νερό, Ξινό Νερό, Νερόμυλος … Πηγαδάκια, Ξεροπόταμος, Καλή Βρύση, Κρυοπηγή, κρήνη, Κανάλι … 21

V. Etymology of the word Water 22

The word water in modern English comes from the Germanic word wasser which comes from the Latin word: wed which means to wet. 23

VI. Sayings about water 24

The river flow doesn’t turn around (once done can’t undo) Blood does not become water (family is family) Fear the slow rivers (do not trust all people who appear quite) When it doesn’t rain at all, even hail is good He who is already wet is not afraid of the rain. Το ποτάμι κοιμάται, ο όχτρος δεν κοιμάται. Η φωτιά και το νερό δεν έχουν μαλλιά. Το πίνει η κότα το νερό, μα κοιτάει και το Θεό. 25

VII. Water in Mythology God Poseidon In mythology, Poseidon was one of the twelve gods of Olympus, powerful ruler of the sea and all the bodies of water (rivers, lakes, springs). He was a violent and fierce god. When he got angry he would hit the waters with his trident, shaking waves and unleashing storms. All of the sea monsters were shown after the storms, causing terror to people. Ulysses, who blinded his son, was sentenced to wonder on the seas for years. Poseidon’s symbols were the trident and the dolphin. Poseidon, the naval god, was worshiped all over Greece, which was mainly a naval country. 26

Nereus – Nereids The god of the sea, before Poseidon. He leaved at his fairytale-like palaces, at the bottom of the Aegean Sea, among with his 50 daughters, the Nereids, and he was well known for his wisdom and guessing power. One of his well known daughters was goddess Thetis, Achilles‘s mother. The Nereids were the fifty daughters of Nereus and Doris. They were nymphs of the sea and were very beautiful. They had the power to make sea waters wild or calm. They liked to play seated on the manes sparkling waves or sit on the rocks and dry of their thick, long and curly hair. They were proud and happy for their beauty and immortality. They were often accompanying the cars of other sea gods. 27

THE END 28