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".