Greece sends the goblins away

On Epiphany Day it is believed that the Kalikantzaroi, the mischievous goblins, are banished back to hollow earth for another year until next Christmas with the blessing of waters and the houses by the priests.

Many customs and traditions also come to life on Epiphany Day which are celebrated on January 6 every year around Greece.

Rougkatsia

Across Thessalia, Rougkatsia, also known as Rougkatsaria, are the main attraction of the holiday. Groups of 10 to 15 persons dressed up in costumes are wandering from house to house and sing the carols. Each group has a groom and bride (a young man dressed as a woman), a priest, a grandfather, a doctor and the “arkoudiarides” (owners of bears that used to make the bears dance for public’s entertainment).

Ragkoutsaria

A similar tradition with Rougkatsia celebrated in Kastoria and Kozani. People put on symbolic and scary painted masks to exorcise the evil spirits from the town with the masked men begging passersbys for a reward to cast the evil spirits away.

Rokatzaria

People in Drama and Kavala have a similar tradition called Rokatzaria, and people wear scary masks while making deafening noises with bells they are carrying while walking around.

Arapides

In other villages near Drama and Kavala, people the tradition of “arapides” (black men) is found with men wearing sheepskin and many bells. It is believed that the arapides were warriors that participated in Alexander the Great’s wars and helped him scare away the Indian elephants in battles making these deafening sounds.

Momogeroi

This tradition is another version of the ragkoutsaria celebrated by Pontians. The Pontian Momogeroi tradition takes place the week before the new year. Men dress in various costumes with each costume syblolizing a part of Pontic culture and folklore

Fotarades

In Halkidiki, the Fotarades custom is celebrated every year. The “king” is dressed in the talagani (a traditional cape which is worn by shepherds) and many bells. He is the one who leads the dance, while the fotarades are bearing their swords which are made of wood to prevent anyone from stealing the sausage which is placed in the middle of the circle.