Tag Archives: Greece

Folk Narrative: Ballad Legend – Dance of Zalongo

  1. Text: There is a legendary ballad sung by Greeks across all generations. The ballad is titled Ο Χορός του Ζαλόγγου, or The Dance of Zalongo. Prior to 1821, Greece was still under occupation of the Ottoman Empire. Greek civilians often banded together to rebel against the Ottoman forces, starting small wars from their humble villages against the massive might of the empire. There was an ongoing war between the Ottoman Empire and the region that the small village of Zalongo resided in. During this war effort, all of the male soldiers had to leave the village to fight elsewhere on the offensive. Unfortunately, the village was marched on by Ottoman forces during this time. Left unprotected, the village only contained the women and children who resided there. Knowing their fate was sealed, it is said that the women, along with their children, went to the top of Mount Zalongo, and danced in a circle at its cliff. It is said that the women sang as they danced at the top of the cliff, celebrating as they were chased by the Ottoman forces. Then, one by one, they threw themselves over the edge, committing suicide. The actions of the Zalongo women are percieved as deeply heroic by the Greek people, as the women chose death over slavery. They refused to fall victim to the Ottoman soldiers. Their story is immortalized in the ballad known as The Dance of the Zalongo. Some of its key lyrics include, “The fish cannot live on land, Nor the flower on the sand, And the women of Zalongo Cannot live without freedom.”
  2. Informants Context: My parents raised me on the story of the Zalongo women. As immigrants, my parents had a deep reverence for the history of Greece and its story of independence. Being part of the Greek diaspora, they wanted to keep these stories alive for me and my brother who were being raised in Canada. My father spoke very highly of the legend and my mother was the one who was capable of actually singing the song. I can’t remember the full lyrics, but I know one of the key ones: “Το ψάρι δεν ζει στο νερό, Ούτε το λουλούδι στην άμμο, Και οι γυναίκες του Σουλίου Δεν μπορούν να ζήσουν χωρίς ελευθερία” (“The fish cannot live on land, Nor the flower on the sand, And the women of Zalongo Cannot live without freedom.”) I knew it from a young age and remember being deeply moved, even charged with patriotism every time I heard the song. As a young boy, it made me physically angry when I would hear about how they died. Of course, people can’t say for certain what happened at the top of the cliff. It was a story that was born out of word of mouth between villagers, spreading across Greece. Like all Greeks though, I firmly believe it actually happened as described. I’m sure it wasn’t as straight-forward as the legend makes out, but I believe they danced and sang before the jump. To me, the story epitomizes the Greek spirit of independence, the mantra at the heart of the revolution – freedom over death.
  3. Collectors Interpretation: The ballad of the Dance of Zalongo is a heroic ballad of legend. The strict historical accuracy of the ballad is disputed as there isn’t empirical evidence for what the woman did at the top of the cliff. It is confirmed that they jumped from the cliff and committed suicide. That said, this is what precisely qualifies the story as robust piece of legend. There is dispute about its truth. Since Greeks choose to believe that this legend is true in the face of disputes, it speaks to their values. At the core of the Zalongo ballad is the relationship with death and freedom. Greek people value the concept of personal liberty to so far an extent that they will sacrifice their own lives to maintain it. The culture preaches a disregard for death. Additionally, the fact that the women decided to dance and sing speaks volumes to their own values. It’s a truly non-defeatist attitude. Almost as if to signal to the Ottoman colonizers that they could truly have nothing – not the lives of the women, nor their bodies and by singing, not even their spirits. It’s an act, a story, of deep courageousness and heroism. It reflects the spirit that likely later inspired the 1821 Greek War for Independence, lighting the heart of the nation on fire. As far as I can tell, the Dance of Zalongo represents folklore at its most powerful.

Fields

AGE: 55

Date_of_performance: April 15, 2025/May 9, 2025

Informant Name: (Confidential)

Language: English/Greek

Nationality: Canadian/Greek

Occupation: Lawyer/Entrepreneur

Primary Language: English

Residence: Canada

Folk Narrative: Legend – The Secret School

  1. Text: During the Ottoman occupation of Greece between the 15th-19th centuries, it is said that Greeks were subordinated to censorship and a lack of free expression by the colonizing empire. Under the enemy rule, Greeks were said to be prohibited from freely expressing their patriotic, religious and cultural identities, forced to forgo their heritage and what defined them. As a consequence, the Greek people are said to have built out schools across the nation that would operate in secrecy. These schools allegedly needed to be outside the purview of the Ottoman empire. Consequentially, Greeks would base these schools in caves, underground tunnels, perhaps even monasteries. They were led by priests or monks who had the knowledge and education to impart information onto younger audiences. Rumors circulated that these priests would have to sparsely light their underground schools with single candle lights so as to prevent their organizations from being ousted and found out by Ottomans. These secret schools are said to have been solely responsible for preserving the Greek language, Orthodox Christianity and the history of the country.
  2. Informants Context: Growing up as a first generation Canadian, my parents forced me to attend Greek school on the weekends. It was in that space that I learned the fundamentals of my Greek heritage. This included learning how to read and write in Greek, the history books, Greek dancing… these are the usuals for any Greek child. I dreaded being there when I was young. A brutal way to spend a Saturday. I understood why I needed to be there as a kid, but it wasn’t until I began sending my own kids to Greek school that I learned how this concept of a Hellenic education actually started. It turns out the tradition of a “Greek school” stems from as far back as the War for Independence. My wife told me about this – she’s much better educated on this stuff than I am. It turns out that while Greeks were subject to occupation, something called Krifo Scholio (Secret school) developed. These were apparently secret schools that existed during the occupation for the purpose of keeping Greek culture alive, in all its forms. The Turks didn’t want Greeks stirring patriotism through education, whether that be through something as simple as preserving Greek language or something more significant, like sharing the war stories of Greeks who had previously rebelled against the empire. The existence of these secret schools apparently became fuel for the revolution towards independence. Increasingly, word spread amongst Greeks of the alleged underground society that was upholding the culture. The image of the Holy Priest teaching sage, forbidden knowledge about the beauty and destiny of our people to younger generations – its a beautiful image. This quiet, simple act of rebellion became one of the key images of the revolution. Long story short, when Greeks immigrated from Greece to different countries, they established Greek schools that were inspired by Krifo Scholio’s of the revolution. Immigrants likewise didn’t want their heritage to dissipate as they arrived in a new country. That’s the whole idea. I can’t speak to whether these alleged secret schools were ever real. The whole concept was that they would never be discovered, only heard about through word of mouth. I personally believe their popularity may have been exaggerated to inspire a rebellious fervor. That said, I think the emphasis on the value of secret schools probably reflects the greater durability of Greek heritage. Our culture, our language are some of the oldest in the world. Greek people are intent on maintaining their long-standing identity, no matter the cost.
  3. Collectors Interpretation: The alleged secret schools of the Greek independence movement are an example of a piece of history that is centered around folkloric culture, at every layer. Firstly, the actual rumored existence of the schools is an example of legendary folklore. As a consequence of the fact that these schools were only discovered through secretive word of mouth, it’s impossible to confirm whether they ever existed. The way the very rumor of their existence inspired the rebellion movement feels almost Jungian though. The priest feels like the reemergence of the sage archetype that Jung often described. Jung theorized that archetypes introduced themselves in the general populace to meet the needs of the collective unconscious whenever necessary. The popularity of the priest figure, imparting back onto the Greek people their true potential, feels almost mythic. To that point, the concept of the secret school becomes even more connotated with folklore as it was folklore narratives that the priests often educated the youth about. In addition to traditional education, children and youths were taught about stories of Greek independence, rebellion, heroism and greatness. Stories that would inspire future generations to take back their homeland. The school itself, if real, used folklore as its currency. As this story relates back to the values of the Greek people, I must echo the sentiments of my informant. Greece is one of the oldest cultures in the world. It’s preserved and maintained a general consistency in that culture for a long time, and it can be assumed that’s a consequence of Greek prioritization of cultural maintenance. Additionally, the story demonstrates key themes about how education is critical for overthrowing tyranny. If anything, its the most essential basis for overthrowing tyranny.

Fields

AGE: 55

Date_of_performance: April 15, 2025/May 9, 2025

Informant Name: (Confidential)

Language: English/Greek

Nationality: Canadian/Greek

Occupation: Lawyer/Entrepreneur

Primary Language: English

Residence: Canada

Minor Genres: Proverbs – The Ox

  1. Text: “Αφού έφαγες το βόδι, φάε και την ουρά.” or “Since you’ve eaten the ox, you might as well eat the tail.”
  2. Informants Context: In Nestane, my village of birth, we were responsible for providing for ourselves on all fronts. We had constant responsibilities each and everyday so to not only maintain the properties of our families, but to also get the resources we needed on a daily basis. Chores that I often participated in included the baking of bread, attending to the maintenance of the land around our home and general household chores. Within the home, I was often responsible for preparing large meals for my family of eight people. I would continue to help do this during panagiri’s, our village festivals where everyone joined and gathered. These were difficult tasks, a lot of work. I was often exhausted by the end of each day. My job wasn’t even the most challenging. The farmers who were responsible for harvesting had enormous tasks ahead of them everyday. Near the end of the days hard work, this is when the proverb would often be used. “Since you’ve eaten the ox, you might as well eat the tail.” A person must finish what they begin. You’ve come this far – you might as well completely finish the job. Ox were an important part of the farming communities in Arcadia, hence where the term would originate. My mother used this when she was embarrassing me for being a slouch. It was a term used throughout the village. Whenever Ox were eaten, it was for festival or event, never for a normal day. They were popular animals. It could be thought of as this – the final bite, the one that you struggle to take, that is the bite that has your strength in it. So take it.
  3. Collectors Context: The value of this proverb and its meaning is outlined by the informant, but the ways in which these values and concepts surrounding the proverb relate to Greece still remains to be seen. This proverb is clearly a reflection of lower-class work ethic in Greece. The people described by the informant live by their daily discipline and deeds. This concept of finishing what one starts in a day of hard work reflects a culture that is disciplined. It reflects a culture that is intent on resolve, completing and following-through on their deeds and actions.

Fields

AGE: 87

Date_of_performance: May 9, 2025

Language: Greek

Nationality: Greek/Canadian

Occupation: Retired

Primary Language: Greek

Residence: Canada

Minor Genre: Proverb – The Wolf

  1. Text: “Έβαλαν το λύκο να φυλάει τα πρόβατα.” or “They put the wolf to guard the sheep.”
  2. Informants Context: We often had sheep around us when I was young in Greece. The shepherd was one of the most common working jobs in Arcadia, my home region. We existed in a very natural, pastoral part of Greece where wildlife was very prominent and allowed to grow. This meant that wolves often surrounded the area. The shepherds knew all about the wolves – where they existed in the region, what they acted like. The shepherd was the great guardian of his herd. The wolf is a very smart creature though, often trying to find a way to get to the flock of sheep. The wolves are the enemies of the sheep. The battle of these two animals was a common occurrence in my village, we would often watch shepherds outplay the wolves or lose a sheep. The shepherd would often lose sheep at night if anything, if the flock ever went undefended. Someone had to watch the sheep constantly, even during the night. So because of this, we developed the expression “They put the wolf to guard the sheep”. We use this expression to describe when someone is being deceitful, clearly acting in a position that they cannot be trusted in. Someone has joined or infiltrated a group to clearly destroy it.
  3. Collectors Interpretation: The themes and ideas surrounding the proverb, “They put the wolf to guard the sheep” is clearly indicative of a culture that values truthfulness and loyalty. Juxtaposing those values is a skepticism toward anyone who might practice deceitfulness or make an effort to be dishonest. One could also assume that the culture deeply prioritizes the strength and sanctity of an inner-circle, refusing to let just any stranger become closely associated with families and friends. Greeks are a culture of very keen, skeptical individuals. These concepts of truth and lies, enemy and ally are clearly at least partly informed by their observations of the natural world. The hierarchy of animals proves to be a useful metaphoric tool for the class of Greeks that grew up in a pastoral setting without having the opportunity for education. It can be assumed from this proverb that the natural world has always been a tool of education for these pastoral Greeks, informing their worldview and perceptions. Not to mention that this proverb feels closely associated with or similar to the Christian proverb, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” These similarities may also represent a folkloric culture in Greece that has been distinctly shaped by Christian theology and its ideas, reshaping Christian proverbs to suit their specific viewpoint. This is consistent with the theory of multiplicity and variation, how common proverbs are repeatedly restructured to fit the context of a certain culture.

Fields

AGE: 87

Date_of_performance: May 9, 2025

Language: Greek

Nationality: Greek/Canadian

Occupation: Retired

Primary Language: Greek

Residence: Canada

Minor Genre: Gesture – The Moutza

  1. Text: Gesture of someone thrusting their open hand forward at someone else, all five fingers spread out. Used in Greek culture.
  2. Informants Context: I come from a family of Greek immigrants who haven’t necessarily chosen to teach me about this gesture, but I’ve inevitably learned it from them. The moutza is the Greek equivalent of the middle finger, for better or worse. It’s definitely less offensive than the middle finger and can be used more playfully. It’s ultimately a confrontational gesture though, meant to be displayed as a form of disagreement. The sign also has some superstitious connotations as technically the person giving the moutza is sending a curse to whoever is receiving it. This curse generally just means bad luck. The place I most often learned and observed this from was with my Papou (grandfather). He’s an entrepreneur, completely self-made from the villages and may rank among the smartest, most boss guys I’lve ever known in my whole life. That said, sometimes he has been known to blow the fuse a little bit, and when he does, it’s the moutza that he whips out (laughter). If he wants to double insult someone, he might throw his other hand behind the one that is already thrust open, layering the two of them like pancakes. That’s the ultimate disrespect. This gesture is recognized by Greeks globally but rarely in other cultures. An open hand like the moutza might even be misunderstood as a friendly gesture by certain cultures, including in America where it could be seen as something like a high-five. I personally use the moutza in a mostly fun way, in the kinds of spaces where I could get away with that kind of offensive joke. For example, when I’m with some Greek friends and we’re having a laugh, I might throw it one of their faces to get a reaction. They’ll understand I’m being funny and play along.
  3. Collectors Interpretation: The moutza is firstly a demonstration of power by Greek people. When used in a non-playful context, the gesture is clearly rooted in a show of force or intention to shame people. This might reflect a greater value on the part of Greek people about personal pride and their eagerness to defend it. Moreover, as a potential way to “curse people”, the practice could be seen as a form of contagious magic. It functions on multiple levels as a demonstration of folklore. The fact that the gesture is not universally understood, reflecting different contexts in different parts of the world, continues to demonstrate its folklore roots. It is a practice specific to Greek people, inside the country and abroad, but nonetheless specific to culturally attuned Greeks. This might also reflect a broader culture within Greece surrounding how its people perceive confrontation. If the purpose of the moutza is to pass shame onto someone who has done you wrong, perhaps this reflects a value towards honor. Shame cannot be of value without dignity simultaneously being a high-priority as well.

Fields

AGE: 21

Date_of_performance: May 9, 2025

Language: English

Nationality: American/Greek

Occupation: Student

Primary Language: English

Residence: United States of America