Traditional Greek Culture Greece has been, due to its geographical formation, a highly departmentalized-localized country with the distinctions between the various locations visible. There are great differences in the dialects, customs, dances and versions of fairytales between the different parts of the country. There is not one "correct way of doing things" as each part of Greece developed their own traditions over the centuries. However, some elements are accepted at large, especially the ones related to the traditions of the Greek Orthodox Church . Greek Spider-Folktales 15 floktales translated in English. Study of the Greek Vrykolakas An essay on a mythic, evil person equivalent to Drakoula. Greek Spider-Greek Proverbs Sayings and proverbs. Greek & English Proverbs - Greek proverbs, English Several Greek proverbs presented here (an excerpt from a book on proverbs). Greek superstitions,Traditions A great list of the most common superstitions among the Greeks. So, when a Greek spits, you don't get offended: they are just trying to protect you from the evil eye! THE EVIL EYE An article about the evil eye, a famous Greek superstition. The Eyes Have It: The Evil Eye in Greece Church Embroidery A wonderful collection of artifacts from the Monastery of Athos presented online by the Ministry of Culture. Click on the pictures to get a large view. Museum of Greek Folk Art Embroidery presented online by the Muserum of Greek Folk Art in Athens. Also, weaving Traditional Weaving from the museum. Wood-Carving Church related woodwork preserved in Mount Athos. Treasures of Mount Athos An online exhibition of manuscrips, icons, sculptures, woodwork, embroidery and ceramics. What an amazing collection! Karaghiozis Figures- The Greek Shadow Theatre Information and figures that can be printed and cut so you can play your own shadow theatre. Dimotika-Greek traditional songs . Greek folk songs Translations of traditional folk songs. Digenis Akritas About the epic. The Akritika is a collection of folk songs about "Akrites", the brave warriors that defended the borders of the Byzantine emprire. Most of the songs revolve around Digenis Akritas, a legendary hero, whose great life and works are described in the long epic. Greek folk songs - Greek Music, Greek Rhythms and Dances with mp3 examples - datafox homepage Some folk songs with their music and lyrics. A Short History of Greek Music A lot of information about the folk songs and their evolution through the centuries. A great page! Greek Folk Instruments A very well designed site and excellent resource on the traditional Greek musical instruments. Music Shelter Lyrics of the most popular folk (and not only) songs. In Greek. traditional music History of the Greek Traditional Music Greek Dances Excellent! 16 Count Tsamikos The steps of the dance and the music beat. Cypriot Folk Dances Folk dances from Cypros. Pontian Music and Dance Folk dances from a "lost country" and the Greeks of Pontos. Classical Greece and the Study of Modern Greek Folk Dance An article about the connection between the Ancient World and the modern folk dances. Hellenic dance page Historical information about the dances. Greek Traditional Constumes Traditional costumes from various parts of Greece. Greek traditional costumes, Hellenic Traditional Collection, Greek ethnic costumes A commercial site with images of costumes from several Greek locations. Greek Folk Costume Description of various costumes for men, women and children with images. .Social Customs and Traditions Birthday Song Greek Wedding Traditions An article that outlines some basic marriage traditions found throughout Greece. The Greater Vancouver Wedding Guide - Greek Traditions A description of a traditional marriage ceremony. Greek Wedding Traditions and Customs The marriage as it happens in Greece. Greek Wedding Traditions and Customs Greek Christmas customs (in Greek) Christmas Carols Click on the link to listen the Greek Christmas Carols of Christmas and New Year's Eve. GreeceNow: Greek-style Christmas A nice presentation of the way Christmas is celebrated in Greece. Greek Spider - Your guide to Greece and Cyprus! Here you can find information about St. Nicholas, the Greek Santa Claus. Saint Nicholas & Christmas An article about Saint Nicholas and the decoration of ships on Christmas day in Greece (especially in the islands). Christmas Customs of Cyprus A page describing the Cypriotic Christmas. Christmas In Greece Chirstmas is gaining equal importance as Easter now in Greece. Kalikantzaroi Information about the trickery little creatures, equivalent to the leprechaums and elves, and how the arrival of the Christmas Day saves the earth from them. Greece: Greek Orthodox Easter The Greek customs of Easter. As Easter comes after a long period of fasting (Lent), good food plays a great part in the celebrations. Here are some recipes. Greek and Cretan Easter customs - Sfakia-Crete.com A great page with images of decorated easter eggs and tons of information and links about the Greek Easter. Greek superstitions,legands,Village Traditions,Greek islands A great presentation of the Greek church traditions around Easter. Greek Easter - In Season Customs and recipes. Easter Traditions Short scripts written by Greek Elementary students (in Greek). Great job! Once I attended Easter at a small church in Samothraki and I was amazed at how well these traditions have been preserved in the islands. Mani Tradition 4 An aricle on Miroloyia or the funeral songs that women (miroloyistres) sing on funerals. From this site: "..The astonishing thing is the ability of poorly schooled and even illiterate women to create "epic poetry"...". Funerals Guides for Many Religions Funerals in the Greek Orthodox church. Other Customs International E-Corner: Greece Traditions Page An overview of several traditions around the calendar. Crete, Greece - Traditions, customs and folklore! Crete has its own distinct traditions. Greek Traditions This page can be viewed in Greek as well. Festivals and Celebrations Some examples of village festivals with social gatherings in the central square, music, square dancing and good food. Tradition/Events Metsovo is a special place in Greece. Due to their geographical isolation on the mountains of Pindos, Metsovites have preserved the traditional way of life. In this site,wonderful images from traditional celebrations and crafts. Carnival of Patras A popular festival in Patras. Greek customs and habits An amusing page about the greek habits. To these I would like to add the fact that you should avoid opening your fingers with palm facing the face of a Greek. It is regarded as a very offensive gesture (mountza)! Mani Mani A special tribute here to Mani and its amazing culture that will stay in my heart for ever and ever! Mani Hellas A wonderful site about Mani, Taygetus, the customs, medieval castles and towers of Mesa Mani. Excellent site! Links MusicMoz - Regional: Europe: Greece: Dancing La Troupe Folklorique Grecque \Syrtaki\ Greek Traditional Music: Links Books Hellenic dance page - bibliography Greek & English Proverbs - Greek proverbs, English School of Modern Greek:Proverbs |