Home life in Hellas, Greece and the Greeks - eBooks4Greeks.gr

42 HOME LIFE IN HELLASbelongs to a barbarous social code, but it is law,and far removed from lawless murder. Indeed,itsexistence militates against the ignoble brawlsso frequently attended by fatal results, toofrequent in Greece, and from which Mainais comparatively free. Another and pleasanterfeature is the duty of hospitality and the sacrednessof the guest, as well as the respect entertainedfor women. The Mainote at home leavesmost of the work to the woman, but her person issafe wherever she goes. The Mainote mothercarries her child in a sheepskin bag which shehangs on a branch whilst she tills the field, oron a nail whilst she kneads the bread, singing tohim war songs the while as a lullaby. Whenhe is ten, his father takes him in hand and teacheshim, as a first duty, to handle a gun. Thoughaverse to work at home, the Mainote will workabroad. He finds his way to America, but notfrequently. The Greek army depends largely onhim for its non-commissioned officers, for hereally likes soldiering, and often remains in theservice after his compulsory term has expired.He is very clannish, like all mountaineers, andthere is great solidarity amongst Mainote communitiesin other parts of Greece. In commonwith other Greeks they are keen to avail themselvesof education. Many Greek army officersare Mainotes, and there are some holding importantcivil appointments. It is perhaps as well tosay that the traveller in Maina is safer than the