Greece: Kalamata Easter

Now that’s Easter
Photo traditionally young men, although it is not unusual to see grandfathers participating these days—do something else, too. They make “sa-ee-tes” by taking pipes and filling them with gunpowder. They cover one end of the pipes and then meet in a stadium, taking turns spinning in circles and flinging the flaming “sa-ee-tes” away from them. Nearly every year someone winds up in the hospital.

As crazy as this behavior may sound, it actually has an historical reference point. When the Turks imposed their rule on Greece, young men were trained in the use of gunpowder. These trainings took place during Easter time; during this period, trainings could be disguised as celebratory activities.

Forget the Trojan horse. Beware a Kalamata man with fireworks.

About the author

In order to keep a promise she and her brother had made to their grandmother (and to simultaneously fulfill one of her own dreams) Kaymaria left her beloved hometown of Oakland, California and headed to Athens in time for the 2004 Olympics. Today, she continues to work and play in the Greek capital, where you may find her writing atop Lykavittos, road-tripping with overseas guests, enjoying Athens cafés with friends, dancing to Greek hip-hop music, or reading Greek subtitles in an outdoor cinema. The daughter of two life-long educators and enthusiastic travelers, Kaymaria has explored North America, Mexico, and Europe. It was not until she spent a year as an exchange student at The University of York in England, however, that she discovered that she does not actually speak English.
Posted in: Greece, Local Customs
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