Untitled - ente nazionale per il turismo di cipro

idal dance while everyone, starting with
the parents, pins money to their clothes.
An evening of eating, drinking and dancing
follows.
Families are not shunned in death.
The deceased is laid out in the house in a
simple coffin with his face covered with a
lace cloth and fragrant herbs. Friends and
neighbours arrive to offer sympathy and sit
and mourn with the bereaved while
women chant the praises of the dead.
These myrologia (dirges) are an ancient
tradition and are always sung by women.
After the church service, everyone goes in
procession to the kimitirio (cemetery) and
pariorka consisting of bread, wine, halloumi
cheese or olives is offered at the graveside.
Don’t be surprised if
someone waves a small pot
of smoking olive leaves
around you – you are being
blessed.
This is ‘kapnisma’, or Holy
smoke, a religious cleansing
procedure, and you are greatly
honoured. Wave your cupped
right hand through the smoke
and draw it towards you, then
make the sign of the cross.
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