THE MOMOGEROI

The Momogeroi is a Pontic custom, with roots in antiquity, that takes place between Christmas and the Epiphany period (25th December until the 6th January). This period is known as the “Kalantofota” («Καλαντόφωτα»).

The word Momogeroi («Μωμόγεροι») comes from the two Greek words «μώμος» (“momos”) translating to “mock or mimick” and «ιερείς/ακολουθεί» (“iereis”) translating to “followers”.

The custom was a form of acknowledging their Greek origins and a way to help forget the hardships encountered during the Turkish rule.

The custom of the Momogeroi has many elements of Ancient Greek theatre – satire, drama and tragedy. There are four leading characters and twelve followers (dancers) all of which are men dressed up.

The leading characters include:

1. The old man and old woman who represent the year that is about to pass and their continued battle with life and death.

2. The bride who represents fertility and new life.

3. A character who represents the God Momo or Dionysus who plays the role of the satirist.

There are other characters which vary from village to village such as the police man (representing the authorities), the doctor, the tax collector, and in some cases a bear in chains (representing the fact that Greeks did not live freely).

The twelve followers are dressed in fustanelles (representing 1821). They also wear a perikefalea (representing the period of Alexander the Great), a shirt, tie and vest (representing the shift to Western attire) and hold a staff (stick/rod representing fertility). With their choreographed dance, a leader gives out various commands which are followed by the twelve men, they spread joy throughout the village as they visit each household. The key message t