8509 Magazine - 2024 edition - Magazine - Page 45
CUSTOMS IN CYPRUS
We love the little customs in Cyprus,
they are what make this beautiful island
unique. Here are a few of our favourites:
Easter: is the most celebrated religious
holiday in Cyprus, more so than
Christmas. Carnivals mark the start
of Easter fasting period which lasts
40 days prior to Easter Sunday. Easter
celebrations are carried out from
Thursday right through to Tuesday.
The Evil Eye: In Cyprus, the evil eye is
cast on you by someone who wishes
you misfortune and bad luck. It is said
that wearing a charm with an eye can
protect you from any such curses.
Backgammon: or 'Tavli', one of the
oldest board games for two players.
You will often see Cypriots playing this
game in the local coffee shops.
Worry beads (Kompoloi): A collection
of beads on a string to be used by one
or two hands to pass time or to relax.
In Cypriot culture the use of kompoloi
hasn’t actually got any meaning, but has
been very popular for many years.
'Kopiaste'!
Seven chairs of comfor
t
Seven Chairs of Comfort: There is
a tradition in Cyprus that to be very
comfortable in his coffee shop, a man
needs seven chairs! One for his stick,
one for his coffee, one for each arm,
one for each leg and one to sit on.
Unlike the western Friday the 13th,
in Cyprus (and Greece) Tuesday the
13th is considered an unlucky day
and precautions have to be taken in
order to avoid misfortunes.
Hospitality: Plays a huge part in
the Cypriot culture. Cypriots are
welcoming, friendly and love to
host. A saying which represents this
is ‘kopiaste’ which basically means
‘welcome’ which is used when
inviting someone to share food, or
inviting someone to your home.
Name Days: These are celebrated
more than birthdays in Cyprus.
Children in Cyprus are named after
saints (of which there is at least one
dedicated to every day of the year). It
is also traditional that on your name
day, you buy the drinks for others, not
the other way round!
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