The Ai-Symiotes’ costumes and other equipment are a significant aspect of the feast itself and of their own identity. The white, red and black colours of the Messolonghi costume [ντουλαμάς – doulamas], combined with their silver arms, imparts a most imposing air. The majority of these garments have been made at folk art workshops in Ioannina and are heirlooms of old Messolonghi families. Since the early 1900s, it has been customary for women to sew their husband’s and children’s clothes. Thus, clothing acquired a particular sentimental value and became part of each Messolonghi family’s heirloom. Nowadays, the crafting process of the feast’s special costumes is undertaken by craftsmen and workshops in the town, who specialize in sewing and embroidery.
The armed men’s costume consists of:
Skaltses (Σκάλτσες) or kaltses (κάλτσες ) – stockings: they are made of white cotton fabric and cover the legs from the ankles to the waist.
Skaltsodetes (Σκαλτσοδέτες) or kaltsodetes (καλτσοδέτες) – garters: They are black and are tied right above the knees. They end at the calf with one or two silk tassels. At the back, they are decorated with various buttons.
Poukamiso (Πουκάμισο) – shirt: It is made of white calico and has wide sleeves, puckered at the top. The collar is small, without points. At the chest, there are folds or pleats. Every armed man has three poukamisa (shirts). The first is for the feast, the second is worn to go to the monastery for Mass and the third for the memorial service at the historical islet of Kleisova.
Doulamas (Ντουλαμάς): An overcoat made of black felt, reaching up to just above the knee. Its sleeves (spilia – σπιλιά) are stuck at the back, opened with red piping and red felt inside. Its lining is also red felt.
Selachi (Σελάχι) or selachliki (σελαχλίκι): It is made of leather and has 3-5 pockets, where the armed men keep their weapons ( pistols, knives, daggers), kerchiefs (in the past, they were used to protect the weapons from friction, nowadays they are purely decorative) and gardenias (the official perfumed flower of the celebrations. It is tied around the armed man’s waist with a strap and is beautifully embroidered. In the past, all selachia used to be ornate, embroidered with gold. Unfortunately, over time, the art of crafting them has become extinct, so most revelers wear plain leather selachia.
Skoufia (Σκούφια): It is black and is the known “monks’” (καλογερίστικη) cap. It is made of black silk and is decorated with silk charsia [χάρσια], sewn with plant silk thread (μπερσίμι – bersimi).
Tsarouchia (Τσαρούχια): These are the armed men’s shoes. They are made of animal leather and the pointed tips have black pom-poms attached. They are black or red. The tsarouchi in its present form was first worn towards the end of the 19th century.
It is usual, even today, for the jewellery of the armed men’s costumes to be called “armata” («άρματα» – arms, rigging), as in the past they were aesthetically and functionally connected to the rigging of the armed men in each group of companions. Their aesthetic value is notable and several are family heirlooms, therefore, so significant in their symbolism, as to be kept safe with the icons in each home.
The full set of rigging consists of the following jewels and accessories:
Kiousteki (Κιουστέκι) or stavraetos (σταυραετός): a heavy, ornate piece of jewellery, with many silver chains. It used to be silver, nowadays it is made of stamped iron surfaces, coated/ with silver or gold. It is worn on the chest, crosswise, over the doulamas. The four ends are clasped on the shoulders and the armpits. Their small hooks have the shape of a double-headed eagle or a Kalarytes [καλαρύτικο] bird, characteristic of the masons from Kalarytes of Epirus; at the centre there is a round or square carved plaque, depicting saints, primarily Saint Symeon (Ai Symios) or Saint George.
Fysekliki (Φυσεκλίκι): Its shape is triangular, it is made of leather strips and ends with a balaska [μπαλάσκα –ammunition pouch]. It is always worn on the right side and is tied at the waist with a belt. It consists of 3-5 rows of round or rhomboid small hooks. The old type of fyseklikia had three rows of 5-6 rosettes, at most. Christos Kavagias, a craftsman, wishing to make them look more impressive, increased the number of rosettes, so nowadays the fyseklikia are oversized.
Sougias (Σουγιάς) or asimosougias (ασημοσουγιάς): It covers the lower part of the doulamas and matches the kiousteki. It has a hexagonal plaque in the centre, depicting saints. It is fastened by three small hooks, two of which are fastened at the waist and the third is pinned on the belt. Usually patron saints are depicted, with a few exceptions where one might come across images of heroes, churches, etc.
Balaskes (Μπαλάσκες): Silver or bronze pouches fastened to the belt of the selachi, at the back (they were placed above the kidneys for protection from enemy fire). They were used for keeping cartridges for firearms.
Pala or spatha (Πάλα – σπάθα): a sharply curved sabre with a cross-like handle, the main weapon for man-to-man battles [Giourousia – γιουρούσια: onslaught]. Fighters carried it on their waist or shoulder blade, tied with cords. On marches, the klephts used to wear them on their backs, tied with a tight rope that was knotted on the chest.
Giatagani (Γιαταγάνι – yataghan): a type of weapon for man-to-man fighting, used extensively in the Ottoman Empire, between the mid-16th century and the end of the 19th c. It consisted of a sharpened blade, curving sharply forward and a handle that usually “turned” backwards. The length of this sword’s blade was usually 60 to 80 centimetres long.
Harbi (Χαρμπί): an iron rod with silver or brass decorations on the handle, with a cylindrical sheath, which was used for loading the pistol. It was hung on the selachi.
Masati (Μασάτι): The masati was used for sharpening the blades of heavy weapons, when they were no longer sharp after extensive use.
Kama (Κάμα): a double-bladed knife
Koumpouri (Κουμπούρι) or (m)pistola ((μ)πιστόλα): It is a gun with a flint mechanism, used during the period of the Greek War of Independence. It is kept on the selachi.
Medoulari (Μεδουλάρι): containers of grease, for the maintenance of weapons.
Various knives in carved silver cases complete the rigging.
The Ai-Symiotes’ costumes and other equipment are a significant aspect of the feast itself and of their own identity. The white, red and black colours of the Messolonghi costume [ντουλαμάς – doulamas], combined with their silver arms, imparts a most imposing air. The majority of these garments have been made at folk art workshops in Ioannina and are heirlooms of old Messolonghi families. Since the early 1900s, it has been customary for women to sew their husband’s and children’s clothes. Thus, clothing acquired a particular sentimental value and became part of each Messolonghi family’s heirloom. Nowadays, the crafting process of the feast’s special costumes is undertaken by craftsmen and workshops in the town, who specialize in sewing and embroidery.
The armed men’s costume consists of:
Skaltses (Σκάλτσες) or kaltses (κάλτσες ) – stockings: they are made of white cotton fabric and cover the legs from the ankles to the waist.
Skaltsodetes (Σκαλτσοδέτες) or kaltsodetes (καλτσοδέτες) – garters: They are black and are tied right above the knees. They end at the calf with one or two silk tassels. At the back, they are decorated with various buttons.
Poukamiso (Πουκάμισο) – shirt: It is made of white calico and has wide sleeves, puckered at the top. The collar is small, without points. At the chest, there are folds or pleats. Every armed man has three poukamisa (shirts). The first is for the feast, the second is worn to go to the monastery for Mass and the third for the memorial service at the historical islet of Kleisova.
Doulamas (Ντουλαμάς): An overcoat made of black felt, reaching up to just above the knee. Its sleeves (spilia – σπιλιά) are stuck at the back, opened with red piping and red felt inside. Its lining is also red felt.
Selachi (Σελάχι) or selachliki (σελαχλίκι): It is made of leather and has 3-5 pockets, where the armed men keep their weapons ( pistols, knives, daggers), kerchiefs (in the past, they were used to protect the weapons from friction, nowadays they are purely decorative) and gardenias (the official perfumed flower of the celebrations. It is tied around the armed man’s waist with a strap and is beautifully embroidered. In the past, all selachia used to be ornate, embroidered with gold. Unfortunately, over time, the art of crafting them has become extinct, so most revelers wear plain leather selachia.
Skoufia (Σκούφια): It is black and is the known “monks’” (καλογερίστικη) cap. It is made of black silk and is decorated with silk charsia [χάρσια], sewn with plant silk thread (μπερσίμι – bersimi).
Tsarouchia (Τσαρούχια): These are the armed men’s shoes. They are made of animal leather and the pointed tips have black pom-poms attached. They are black or red. The tsarouchi in its present form was first worn towards the end of the 19th century.
It is usual, even today, for the jewellery of the armed men’s costumes to be called “armata” («άρματα» – arms, rigging), as in the past they were aesthetically and functionally connected to the rigging of the armed men in each group of companions. Their aesthetic value is notable and several are family heirlooms, therefore, so significant in their symbolism, as to be kept safe with the icons in each home.
The full set of rigging consists of the following jewels and accessories:
Kiousteki (Κιουστέκι) or stavraetos (σταυραετός): a heavy, ornate piece of jewellery, with many silver chains. It used to be silver, nowadays it is made of stamped iron surfaces, coated/ with silver or gold. It is worn on the chest, crosswise, over the doulamas. The four ends are clasped on the shoulders and the armpits. Their small hooks have the shape of a double-headed eagle or a Kalarytes [καλαρύτικο] bird, characteristic of the masons from Kalarytes of Epirus; at the centre there is a round or square carved plaque, depicting saints, primarily Saint Symeon (Ai Symios) or Saint George.
Fysekliki (Φυσεκλίκι): Its shape is triangular, it is made of leather strips and ends with a balaska [μπαλάσκα –ammunition pouch]. It is always worn on the right side and is tied at the waist with a belt. It consists of 3-5 rows of round or rhomboid small hooks. The old type of fyseklikia had three rows of 5-6 rosettes, at most. Christos Kavagias, a craftsman, wishing to make them look more impressive, increased the number of rosettes, so nowadays the fyseklikia are oversized.
Sougias (Σουγιάς) or asimosougias (ασημοσουγιάς): It covers the lower part of the doulamas and matches the kiousteki. It has a hexagonal plaque in the centre, depicting saints. It is fastened by three small hooks, two of which are fastened at the waist and the third is pinned on the belt. Usually patron saints are depicted, with a few exceptions where one might come across images of heroes, churches, etc.
Balaskes (Μπαλάσκες): Silver or bronze pouches fastened to the belt of the selachi, at the back (they were placed above the kidneys for protection from enemy fire). They were used for keeping cartridges for firearms.
Pala or spatha (Πάλα – σπάθα): a sharply curved sabre with a cross-like handle, the main weapon for man-to-man battles [Giourousia – γιουρούσια: onslaught]. Fighters carried it on their waist or shoulder blade, tied with cords. On marches, the klephts used to wear them on their backs, tied with a tight rope that was knotted on the chest.
Giatagani (Γιαταγάνι – yataghan): a type of weapon for man-to-man fighting, used extensively in the Ottoman Empire, between the mid-16th century and the end of the 19th c. It consisted of a sharpened blade, curving sharply forward and a handle that usually “turned” backwards. The length of this sword’s blade was usually 60 to 80 centimetres long.
Harbi (Χαρμπί): an iron rod with silver or brass decorations on the handle, with a cylindrical sheath, which was used for loading the pistol. It was hung on the selachi.
Masati (Μασάτι): The masati was used for sharpening the blades of heavy weapons, when they were no longer sharp after extensive use.
Kama (Κάμα): a double-bladed knife
Koumpouri (Κουμπούρι) or (m)pistola ((μ)πιστόλα): It is a gun with a flint mechanism, used during the period of the Greek War of Independence. It is kept on the selachi.
Medoulari (Μεδουλάρι): containers of grease, for the maintenance of weapons.
Various knives in carved silver cases complete the rigging.
Prior to and during the feast, the two typical Roma musical instruments are manufactured, the zourna and the daouli. The zourna is an instrument with a double reed, to which its sharp, high-pitched sound is due. The ancient Greek flute (aulos) belongs to the same family of musical instruments. The zourna used in Messolonghi is approximately 22 cm. long and in several cases is crafted by the Roma themselves, from wood or bone.
Known since Byzantine times, the daouli (bass drum) is the pre-eminently rhythmic instrument of mainland Greece; there is a great variety of dimensions, binding of ropes, processing of leather and overall construction. It is frequently made by the daoulieris (νταουλιέρη – daouli player) himself, and is played, hung from the left shoulder, by beating both leather surfaces with the daouli drumsticks [νταουλόξυλα – daouloxyla], one thick and heavy for the right hand [kopanos – κόπανος] and a thin one for the left hand [verga – βέργα or vitsa – βίτσα].
Typical dishes and drinks offered at the revelers’ homes during the gathering of each group of companions, on the morning of Pentecost Sunday, are the traditional cake of the region, rivani [ριβανί] and ouzo [ούζο]. In addition, during the merrymaking, the traditional dishes prepared for the groups, include giouvetsi [γιουβέτσι] and tsoumpleki [τσουμπλέκι], cooked with lamb. Other dishes prepared by the groups are grilled eel [souflomytaria – σουφλομυτάρια] and savoro fish (a traditional Messolonghi recipe cooked with anchovies or bream and a characteristic sauce of vinegar, olive oil, flour, garlic and rosemary, created in the old days, before there were any refrigerators, so that housewives could preserve fish for about one week.
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| - The Ai-Symiotes’ costumes and other equipment |
| - The Festival of Ai-Symios in Messolonghi - Historical data |
Online resources (hyperlinks)
- Ai Symios, Association of Festivals (2013). Available on the website: https://aisimios.wordpress.com/
- Daouli and Zournas (2015). Available on the website: http://ntaouli.blogspot.gr/
Information about the songs of the item:
Photos from the festival
Documentaries and films that refer to the festival or contain snapshots from it:
1) Lake of Desires (1958), a short excerpt from the film has footage from the festival..
Available on the website
2) Shots by Costas Balafas of 1968.
Available on the website
3) Excerpt from an ERT archive of 1976.
4) "To Ai Symios in Messolonghi", ERT's musical journey of Takis Sakellariou, 1996.
Available on the website
6) "We live in Greece", excerpts from the festival of 2005.
Available on the website
7) "Greek Events", a tribute to the festival, 2006.
Available on the website
8) "Dollars for a Saint", the documentary about the Roma organ players of the festival, by Aura Georgiou, 2014.
Source: |
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INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE of UNESCO |
