The custom of Momogera was revived today in Thessaloniki and roused them Vineyardson the initiative of the Pontian Union of the region.

Members of the cultural association Ag. Dimitriou Ryakiou Kozani, were found on Saturday morning at 57 Ethnikis Antistaseos Street, where the headquarters of the Union of Pontian Vineyards is also located. From there, with dances and songs from Pontus, skating started with the participation of the people in the main streets of Ampelokipi.

The Momogeri it is a Pontic custom that has been going on since Pre-Christian times. The inhabitants of Pontos gave it a Christian character and it takes place on the 12th day from Christmas Eve until the Lights.

Residents of the area as well as visitors did not hesitate to capture the moment, while some of them went out to the balconies of their houses to enjoy the spectacle.

The custom

12 Momogeros participate in the procession, with their costumes resembling those of choliades because of the frocks. The Momogeri in ancient times were the priests of Momos, god of laughter and satire. During the Byzantine period, the ancient ritual was transformed into one of the folk traditions that is revived to this day by cultural associations and residents of the Pontic villages.

Apart from the Momogera, the bride is the protagonist in the custom, which symbolizes the change of time and the rebirth of nature.

As the custom dictates, at the end of the scene she is kidnapped and the “thief” is punished by the “policeman”. The “doctor” examines the bride to determine if she is “pregnant” after the abduction.

The “grandmother” and the “devil” who teased the world take part in the action.

Since 2016, the event of Momogera has been registered as a custom in the UNESCO Cultural Heritage of Humanity index.

Source: thestival.gr