Chania - A City Of Many Tales

TRADITIONS

In Chania and for the rest of Crete as well, traditions and local customs are very much current, alive and relatable to modern life on the island.

Perhaps more so than any other part of Greece, the range and wealth of local customs and traditions in Crete are still celebrated the exact same way people used to celebrate and honor centuries ago. Most of them are linked to the Greek Orthodox Christian religion however there is an infusion of paganist rituals as well, that date back even further back in the distant past of the island. There are also traditions that are linked with the seasonality of crops and the development of the herds, upon which the local population was dependent for their survival.

As it has been observed, in most small scale, rural communities across the world, the people are dependent upon the seasons, the land and the goods it has to offer. In fact, so much so that the time periods during which, produce is harvested and collected and animals are sheered and slaughtered, these times are celebrated and honored as a way to show appreciation, blessing and humility to the mother land. Religion and local seasonality are of course inextricably linked.

Man playing traditional cretan instrument

Traditional Cretan songs like ‘Madinada’ and ‘Rizitiko’ are still being sang, they are very popular among the youth. Cretan music is mostly composed for the melodic Cretan lyre and the lute. There are many traditional Cretan dance schools that teach the Cretan dance legacy from a really young age; Syrtos, Balos, Pentozali are some of the trademark folklore Cretan dances that keep everyone on their toes… literally!

Throughout the year, the customs and traditions in Crete play a pivotal role in keeping the community tightly knit and strong, since they present the opportunity for people to come together and honor their history and heritage of their ancestors. Every season is noteworthy for the traditions and customs they entail. Being an observer or better yet a participant makes the Cretan experience so much more authentic and genuine.

Raki Cauldron-Feast of Tsikoudia

At the end of September, early October, when the time is just right for the distillation for the vine grapes, that produces the local vine liqueur ‘Tsikoudia’, Chania is celebrating this annual procedure by organizing feasts across the prefecture. If you get the chance to be invited to one, don’t miss out on this great opportunity. It is such an authentic experience to be part of this feast that is of course accompanied by Cretan music, plenty of food, local delicacies and loads of laughers and good times.

Blessing of sheeps at Assi Gonia

The name day of St George it is usually celebrated on the 23rd of April or on Easter Monday. On that day, at Assi Gonia, the custom of the blessing of the sheep herd is revived. The breeders bring their herds at St George chapel of Galatas area. They milk them and part of that production is boiled and given away to the faithful. The milking of the herd is followed by the procession of St. George’s icon around the church. And as in every Cretan celebration, a big feast is closing the day.

Custom of St. John Klidonas

The custom of S. John Klidonas is celebrated on the 23rd and 24th of June every year and it is a custom that originates from ancient times. According to the myth, celibate young women will find out the identity of their future spouses. On the 23rd of June, the celibate women are gathered up in someone’s house and they assign to someone to go to the village’s well or fountain and bring back the silent water. Coming back, the water is poured in a clay vessel where each girl throws an object called ‘rizikari’. Then the vessel is sealed with a red cloth and tied with a lace. Once the girls return to their homes, it is believed that they are going to dream of their future husbands. On the 24th of June, the name day of St. John, before dawn, the messenger girl brings the vessel back in the house and the girls are gathered once more for the ‘reading’. This time everyone is invited, married women, neighbors and men. Every time an item is being picked from the vessel, a random ‘madinada’ is being sang that according to the custom, foretells the future of the item’s owner, as a prophecy.

Easter Cookies & Pastries

Easter in Crete is a unique experience in itself. There are so many traditions and customs that people still carry out to this day and pass on from generation to generation. On Holy Thursday, almost every home in Chania is busy baking and the fragrant smells coming out of the windows are intoxicating and impossible to resist. The landladies bake all sorts of traditional dough recipes making sweet pastries called ‘Kouloures’ which are usually decorated with a red egg. Other indulgences include traditional ‘kaltsounia’ (savory cheese pies) and Easter cookies. It is a great opportunity for children to get involved in the kitchen.

Juda’s burning

Across Crete, the burning of Juda is a much celebrated custom during the Greek Orthodox Easter. Preparations for the great bonfire (Founara) of Juda start on Holy Saturday when boys and men gather dry wood and branches near the village’s or neighborhood’s church. On the top of the pile, a Juda’s dummy is being placed in anticipation of the Easter Mass. During Mass, after the priest’s announcement of the Jesus Christ resurrection, the fire is set, lighting the entire square or open space, followed by fireworks and firecrackers. Greek Orthodox Easter is a very important and much celebrated, perhaps even more than Christmas. It is a time of year that is definitely worth visiting.

Carnival in Souda

The Carnival period in Greece lasts 3 weeks and it begins sixty days before Easter Sunday. Its roots date back in Ancient times when Ancient Greeks celebrated the god of wine and joy, Dionysus when people disguised themselves by wearing masks, so they could express themselves freely and without sexual inhibition. Today, the Greek Carnival is celebrated in many ways and followed by many local traditions. In the municipality of Chania, the carnival of Souda town/port is big, loud and fun to attend! Locals get prepared during the entire year for a three week outdoor party that peaks with the last carnival Sunday, when the big parade takes place at the central square, accompanied by music, abundant food and alcohol.

TRADITIONS

Raki Cauldron-Feast of Tsikoudia

Blessing of sheeps at Assi Gonia

Custom of St. John Klidonas

Easter Cookies & Pastries

Juda’s burning

Carnival in Souda

VIEW ALSO

Agritourism

Activities

TRADITIONS

Raki Cauldron-Feast of Tsikoudia

Blessing of sheeps at Assi Gonia

Custom of St. John Klidonas

Easter Cookies & Pastries

Juda’s burning

Carnival in Souda

VIEW ALSO

Agritourism

Activities

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