The customs
and the tradition, is a part of the Cretan heritage
and the Cretan civilization. The tradition of
the Cretan people flows from the ancient times
and up to this day, mingling with different
and foreign cultural elements and developing
at the same place and adjusting on the local
reality.
Deeply rooted in the hearts
of the Cretans, the customs and traditions were,
are and will continue to be the everyday principles
on every Cretan's life.
The Cretans hold on to
many customs and traditions, and most of all
the tradition of the marriage, which is kept
on in many villages till nowadays. What's most
important is the big focus they give and the
approval and participation of the family. The
father and leader of the family is responsible
for the marriage approval.
Traditional Men's
Outfit
Nowadays the traditional
clothing is rarely used, however in some villages
one can see mostly older people dressed up like
this. The men's traditional outfit includes
the famous black scarf with the fringe hanging
on the forehead, the light-colored woven shirt
with the black vest, and the traditional breeches
that was tied up in the waist with a long belt.
During the winter time they used to cover up
the upper part of the body with a hooded cape,
while they used to wear white leather boots.
The outfit was completed with a golden chain
on the neck and a silver knife that was hidden
on the belt.
Traditional Women's Outfit
One can take a look at
the traditional Cretan outfit during various
festivities, cultural events and in folkloric
museums. The women's outfit consists of bloomers,
the "pouchfrock" that covers the bloomers
and the apron with the unique designs and embroidery.
They also use a scarf to cover up the head known
as "tsemperi", and as for the shoes
they have a choice between a pair of flat boots
known as "stivania" or high heels.
There is a difference between the official outfit
and the one used daily mainly on the embroidery
and the golden coins that jewel the chest and
the decoration on the scarf and the apron.
Traditional Dances
The Cretan dances are
used as a way of expressing the manful cretan
character and preserve quite a few influences
from the notorious history of the island. The
dancers are tightly hugged and walk in small
slow steps. However when the lyrist forces the
pace, he indulges them in delirious jumpy steps
and this is what they call the "pentozali"
one of the most famous cretan dance. The dancers
move away from each other and with their hands
outstretched they begin the grandstand play.
Another dance is the "syrtos", which
differs in each area and is an alternation of
the syrtos that is danced on the Greek mainland.
One of the most famous dances is the cretan
"sousta" which is danced in pairs,
in harmonically combined jumpy moves. It is
worth mentioning that during the festivities
there are two more dances that are danced strictly
by men that form a circular figuration and these
are the "kastrinos" and the "maleviziotis".