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Pontian Greek custom: Momogeroi (photos + video)

The New Year's custom is celebrated by Pontian Greeks as a way of paying tribute to their Greek heritage

Newsroom December 29 11:47

Momogeri is a custom that dates back to Ancient times. It is performed from the pre-Christmas period (December 15) through to mid-January. Pontian Greeks take part in the custom that pays tribute to their Greek origins. It is alive today in parts of Greece where Pontic Greeks reside.

MOMO

According to the custom, men dress in various costumes, each costume syblolizes a part of Pontic culture and folklore. A bear symbolizes strength, the horse symbolizes development, the soldier is for defence, whereas the old woman symbolizes the past, the horse symbolizes development, etc.

MOMO1

The custom is tied to ancient Greece, in particular to the Cult of Dionyssos which had similar celebrations at around 600 B.C. In 400 A.D., Amaseia Bishop Asterios refered to loud celebrations of people that included masquerades on January 1.

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