The pressing of the stone and the iron, but also the breaking of the pomegranate, which symbolize good luck, the «footsteps» of a small child, the log that burns all day long on the fireplace, «to warm the Virgin Mary who gives birth», the food offered to the Fates, as well as the placing of a wild onion outside the door of the house, are just some of the customs that are observed during the holidays in areas of the Peloponnese and Western Greece.
Most customs are observed by family members and have been passed down from generation to generation, while the customs that are observed at the festive table have a special place.
In Laconia
In the villages of Mani, during the festive season, the custom of preparing pancakes and Christmas bread is observed.
The pancakes are shaped into various shapes, and when the housewife kneads the pancake in the shape of a cross, she wishes «to crucify the evils of time».
Also, the first pancake that comes out of the fire always has a large cross shape and is of Christ.
Families also cut the traditional Christmas table, which is decorated with crosses.
On the evening of New Year's Eve, residents in the Aleurou area baked a large bun on the fireplace and then put honey and walnuts in it.
On New Year's Day, after returning from church, they hung the bun on the horn of their ox and waited for it to be shaken off its head.
If after shaking the head the bun fell on the floor face up, then it was believed that the harvest of the new year would be good.
In Messinia
Once the new year has begun, families wait for a small child to come home to «kick them off» so that the new year will be a happy one, and then ask him to step on an iron object in order to keep everyone healthy.
Also, on New Year's Eve, they place a wild onion outside the door of the house, for a happy New Year.
On New Year's Day, the custom of pomegranate breaking is observed. In particular, the landlord takes a pomegranate with him to church and when he returns home, he opens the door himself, so that he can be the first to start. So holding the pomegranate in his hand, he throws it down with force to break it while making wishes.
Furthermore, on New Year's morning, when the family members leave the house, they step on a large stone, which the housewife has placed on the doorstep since the eve of the New Year.
Also, if the weather is good on New Year's Day, it is believed that the weather will be as good for 40 days, while if there is bad weather, it will remain so for another 40 days.
In Arcadia
On Christmas Eve, mainly in mountain communities, the inhabitants put a large log on the fireplace, so that it burns all day long, in order to «warm the Virgin Mary who gives birth».
At the same time, the housewives clean the icons of the house with cotton and wine, while they knead the bread of Christ with pieces of figs, embroidering ornaments and knitting crosses on its surface.
Another custom is the kneading of a loaf of bread, which they call «the hand of Christ». Specifically, by kneading the bread, the housewives shape it like a hand and then place it on the wall under the icon.
As for the festive table, it includes mainly pork with apples and quinces, but also meat pie.
Also, on New Year's Day, villagers place various foods in fountains, which are intended for the fates.
According to the custom, if they don't find the food the next day, it means that the new year will be good, while if they do, they believe that the opposite will happen.
Furthermore, on New Year's Eve, housewives made doughnuts, which they fried with the first oil of the year.
In Corinthia
In many areas of Corinthia, the custom of fire is prevalent, such as placing branches over fireplaces, because they believe that this is the way to ward off «evil spirits».
They also make sure to cover the sweets they have prepared for the holidays, so that the goblins don't touch them.
Meanwhile, on New Year's morning, when the family returns home from church, the teenage daughter is waiting for them, holding a large plate containing kourabiedes, melomakarona, diples and fried bread.
In Argolida
In the coastal Ermioni of Argolida, the custom of «Yala - Yala» is observed on the eve and on the day of Epiphany.
Specifically, on the eve of the festival, the young people gather at the harbour and decorate the boats with palm leaves. On the day of Epiphany, wearing traditional sailor uniforms, they visit homes, receive treats and wishes, while singing «Yala-Yala» until the time they dive into the sea to catch the cross and the icon of the Virgin Mary.
In Nea Kio, which is very close to Nafplio, after the cross is thrown into the sea, those who dived to catch it take the winner in their hands and carry it around the area. Previously they have dived into the sea the youngest captain of the city.
In Achaia
In the mountainous villages of Kalavryta, the christiopsoma that the housewives knead are white and fluffy, containing sesame seeds and walnuts, while the cross is formed on the top.
In Patras, the custom of bonamades has been observed for many years. It is an open-air market, where stalls with toys and gifts are set up, which starts operating a few days before New Year's Eve.
On the day of Epiphany, more and more swimmers, even children, fall into the waters of the old harbour of Patras every year to catch the cross.
In Etoloakarnania
In the villages of the mountainous Aitoloakarnania, the custom of "tigaridas" is observed, i.e. the smoking of pork with its fat.
This is a traditional method used by families many years ago, so that they could preserve the meat for a long time.
In fact, until the cooking of the meat was completed, there was a festive atmosphere in every neighbourhood.
