Hronia pola! In Greece a fasting period of up to 40 days before Christmas, mostly for religious reasons and also a healthful practice, would prepare everyone for the Christmas cookies. An older custom was that every family would raise a pig, or hiros, and would be served as the main dish on Christmas. Children sing carols, kalanda, from house to house, and are rewarded with sweets and candy. The word carol comes from a Greek dance called a choraulein, which was accompanied by flute music.
Bearwiskers says... Bring on the melomacarona cookies! Yum Yum
I love the customs!
ReplyDelete