Karpathos~A Lover’s Paradise
Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth as tree branches fill with blooms of white and fuchsia, and flowers happily salute the warm sun. It’s no wonder that this season has become the most popular for weddings, ushering in celebrations that extend into the fall. In Karpathos, the preparations are now underway for a summer-long wedding season that rejoices in not only the natives’ nuptials, but those of the prodigal sons and daughters who return to their ancestral home for the customs and traditions with family, the breathtaking scenic backdrop, and the lush-yet-affordable reception…plus it’s convenient since most Karpathian families vacation on the island during the summer, allowing them to bypass the travel expense of this destination wedding.
Honeymoon Krevati
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Krevati (κρεβάτι, pronounced kreh-VAH-tee) means “bed” in Greek, but it’s also the term used on the southern Greek islands to describe the preparation of a wedding, in particular the couple’s new home (including the bed), with each island imparting slight nuances to the details of this custom.
Typically, the night before a couple gets married in Karpathos, the family is invited to the newlyweds’ house for a "krevati" where they decorate the dwelling and their new bed to make it festive for the couple’s arrival. The elaborate preparation comes in the form of a procession as goods are carried through the village and up to the house. It is adorned with beautiful bedspreads and fabrics that were embroidered, crocheted, and knitted by grandmothers (γιαγιάδες, yiayiades), mom’s (μητέρες, miteres), aunts (θείες, thies), and cousins (ξαδέλφια, xadelfia) after the engagement was announced. A traditional large wooden pillar in the center of the house supports the roof beam, symbolizing the support of the family. This pillar is decked out with silk fabrics embellished with colorful needlework for the wedding (as is the bride) and other special celebrations—this is every Karpathian’s opportunity to take home-décor to the extreme, the lavish embossing representing their richness in hospitality. Sumptuous island dishes, exotic beverages, and delectable pastries fill the dinner menus that extend that richness to colorfully-adorned guests as they gather for this joyous decorating occasion. |
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Karpathiko Spiti (Karpathian House)~completed krevati
Come One, Come All
traditional Karpathian bride
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traditional Greek island brides
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One memorable summer, we experienced that celebratory lifestyle firsthand while vacationing in Karpathos with Kukla, our mom. As we gathered for breakfast one morning, our cousins told us to get ready, we were going to a wedding. We turned to our mom and the look on our faces pretty much said it all. We weren’t invited and we didn’t know the people getting married, so are we crashing the wedding? She said that, first, we are cousins to the bride and groom (as we were to most of the island…surprise, surprise!), and second, a wedding in Karpathos means an open invitation to everyone on the island.
Weddings are a particularly festive island event in Karpathos where everyone, including visitors, is invited to partake not only in the couple’s joyous ceremony but also in the food event to follow, seating up to 900 people in a barnlike structure standing in as a hall.
The bride wore the traditional Karpathos dress, and crowns were exchanged during the ceremony. Immediately following the mass, the close family of the couple pinned large gold pieces on the lapel of the groom’s jacket and on a bib worn over the bride’s gown. This centuries-old custom of giving gold is meant to sustain the couple in times of financial hardship (gold pieces such as these were saved by our grandmother and used to feed the family during the Great Depression and WW2).
Weddings are a particularly festive island event in Karpathos where everyone, including visitors, is invited to partake not only in the couple’s joyous ceremony but also in the food event to follow, seating up to 900 people in a barnlike structure standing in as a hall.
The bride wore the traditional Karpathos dress, and crowns were exchanged during the ceremony. Immediately following the mass, the close family of the couple pinned large gold pieces on the lapel of the groom’s jacket and on a bib worn over the bride’s gown. This centuries-old custom of giving gold is meant to sustain the couple in times of financial hardship (gold pieces such as these were saved by our grandmother and used to feed the family during the Great Depression and WW2).
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sousamomelo
After the church service it was time to eat. We never saw anything like this. People lined up outside and were ushered into the hall in large groups for the wedding meal. When one group finished, the next came in to eat. This continued until everyone (yes, all 900) dined, and dined well!
The tables were set with individual servings of sousamomelo (a sesame-and-honey confection served at weddings, symbolizing fertility and sweetness), and baskets of peanuts, candy, and, our favorite, psilokouloura (thin, sesame-covered, olive-oil breadsticks)—seriously irresistible!
The tables were set with individual servings of sousamomelo (a sesame-and-honey confection served at weddings, symbolizing fertility and sweetness), and baskets of peanuts, candy, and, our favorite, psilokouloura (thin, sesame-covered, olive-oil breadsticks)—seriously irresistible!
psilokouloura
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Karpathian baklava
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Friends and family joined in to prepare the feast—caterers were replaced by cousins in aprons, and it was no surprise to find Uncle Demetri pouring the wine! Lemon-oregano marinated lamb was roasted outdoors on a spit, trays of vegetable-laden moussaka and béchamel-layered pastitsio were passed around, and delicate heart-shaped, powdered-sugar-coated shortbread cookies, kourambiedes, were shared and devoured. Also offered was this island’s most excellent version of baklava. Unlike mainland baklava, mbaklavas Karpathikos (Karpathian baklava) is made with an olive oil-based pastry dough that is rolled into a spiral of thin layers, then sliced, and deep fried. Once drained and cooled, the diamond-shaped, flaky slices are drenched in a fragrant, spiced honey syrup and sprinkled with walnuts. Made for special celebrations such as this, these extraordinary treats are piled high on trays, wrapped in colorful cellophane and tied with elaborate bows.
After the eating came the mantinades (μαντινάδες), each a melding of folk song and rhymes. Mantinades are the true spirit of the people of Karpathos, written by the parents and close family of the bride and groom. These lyrical poems, read by the authors, contain heartfelt wishes and blessings for the couple, as well as reflect on their lives as children, while conveying the love felt for each of them. This is all followed by tears of joy, hugs, and the final phase of the evening, dancing!
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As the area was cleared to make room, local musicians on the lyra (a fiddle-like instrument), tsambouna (bagpipe), and laouto (similar to a bouzouki) took their places in the center of the floor. With everyone joining in, music for the sousta, kalamatiano, and hasapiko dances carried the festivities into the wee hours of the morning while the bride and groom snuck off to their elaborately-decorated krevati.
I hope you enjoyed this behind-the-scenes look at Karpathian weddings and how it all comes together to create a truly unique and loving occasion. Check out our blog Karpathiko Spiti (Karpathian House) to learn more about our lifestyle customs.
Sign up for our e-newsletter (if you haven’t already) and stay connected on social media for cooking tips and recipes, as well as for all Kukla's Kouzina updates and news.
Thanks for following us and we’ll see you next Monday!
Until then~
Kali orexi! Good appetite!
Kelly
I hope you enjoyed this behind-the-scenes look at Karpathian weddings and how it all comes together to create a truly unique and loving occasion. Check out our blog Karpathiko Spiti (Karpathian House) to learn more about our lifestyle customs.
Sign up for our e-newsletter (if you haven’t already) and stay connected on social media for cooking tips and recipes, as well as for all Kukla's Kouzina updates and news.
Thanks for following us and we’ll see you next Monday!
Until then~
Kali orexi! Good appetite!
Kelly
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Web design by Kelly Salonica Staikopoulos
Web design by Kelly Salonica Staikopoulos
