Third and fourth generation Melbournians from the Pontiaki Estia Youth have revived old customs for Christmas.
The young Pontians sang the kalanda and dressed up in ancient Momogeroi costumes bringing the long lost tradition of Trabzon’s Livera and northern Greek villages to life.
The Momogeroi ritual celebrates the coming of the new year through satire. Dancers dress up as as a bride, an old man and a man that steals the bride as well as 12 characters that symbolise the 12 months.
During the satirical dance the revellers wear costumes made of animal skins and carry fake swords, bells and drums.
The bride represents health, fertility and rebirth and leaves the ‘old’ man, the past, with force to join the ‘new’ man, a prosperous and exciting future.
The twelve dancers that represent the 12 months of the year dance around the main scene pretending to engage in war. Momogeroi, etymologically, means Momus’ old men. In Greek mythology Momus is the god of satire, unfair criticism and irony.
The tradition has its roots in the old Dionysian mysteries and is mainly kept alive by Pontian communities around the world, celebrated during the Christmas period, from 15 December to 15 January.
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