In Galatista every year on the 5th, 6th and 7th of January the custom of “Camel” and the “Wedding of Manio” is revived . The custom has its roots in the years of Ottoman rule and is based on the fact that the beautiful Galatsana Manios was abducted by the Aga of the village in order to close it in his harem.

The lads of the village, led by her lover Mania, unable to tolerate the abduction and the insult, reacted and decided to take the girl back! So they came up with the trick of the Camel, something similar to the Trojan Horse. So they built a rudimentary camel, and hidden some under it and others disguised from the outside followed so as not to arouse suspicion.

So the young people of the village set up a feast and together with the “camel”, they headed to the Turkomachalades, where there was a celebration and feast of the Turks with real camels.

As the Galatsans danced and drank, among the Turks, they approached the mansion of Aga. The Turks, seeing the joy of the young people, opened the doors of the beings and they also started to drink and party with them, as a result of which they left the room where they were holding Manio unguarded! Then her lover, with the help of his friends, freed Manio, hid her under the “camel” and took her to the village, where the next day she was married to the young man, so that the Turks could not take her back. .

Since then and every year, on the day of the Epiphany, the custom of the camel is revived in remembrance of that event. So on the Day of Lights, the model of the camel is made, which is a wooden frame lined with thick woven clothes, while inside it are placed large bells in such a way that they make a harmonious sound! The young people of the village dress in local costumes.

The event takes place in Episminagou I. Hatzoudi square.

After the Divine Liturgy, the daoulias and the zournades play the song “tonight they stole Manio, three Turkish Arvanitades”, thus giving the signal to start the celebration and the feast, with the participation of all the inhabitants of the village and not only.

The next day, on St. John, the representation of Mania’s wedding takes place. Bride and best man are men dressed in women’s clothes. And this is happening, because in those years, women could not take part in public parties! The groom’s friends, accompanied by instruments, start to take the best man. The procession heads to the square, where a three-course feast follows.

The representation of the custom is done with fun every time, resulting in a crowd of people who have the opportunity to party and taste pies, traditional dishes and sausages along with plenty of wine and tsipouro, all offered by the residents and professionals of Galatista.

The organization of the custom is carried out with the participation of all associations in the area of ​​Galatista with the support of the municipality of Polygyros.

Photo Credits: m.eirinika.gr