Clean Monday, the day that brings the carnival season to a close was full of celebrations all over Greece, turning the country into one giant party.
Aside from traditional carnival parades with floats and thousands of dancers in Patras, Xanthi, Rethymno and other big cities, in some towns the Clean Monday celebrations were extreme, as dictated by old customs, with some having their roots in antiquity.
In Tyrnavos, the famous – or infamous – “Burani” custom was revived once more as it has been for more than a century now.
It is a bold and lewd custom, one of the many highlights of carnival celebrations every year.
The “Burani” custom has revelers dancing around a cauldron of spinach soup while men holding giant fake penises beat the women with them. The actual custom dictates that the penis is filled with booze and men and women have to kiss the tip of it and then drink. The booze is tsipouro, a spirit that Tyrnavos is renowned for.
The custom has to do with fertility and the coming of Spring. Its roots most likely lie in ancient Dionysian feasts. The Greek Orthodox Church disapproves of the custom, but this does not stop thousands of locals and visitors from reveling wildly.
Read more here.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: www.infocenterpatras.gr License: CC-BY-SA
Source: greekreporter.com
