Corfiot Customs

No, not the airport kind!!

Dress
On Corfu, the peasant women still wear their traditional costume. It consists of a black skirt, printed over skirt, a loose white cotton blouse with a drawstring neck and full sleeves, a bodice and waistcoat and on their heads they wear a large white head scarf. Feast day dresses are more elaborate often made from silks with embroidery. Head dresses are made of lace, ribbons and flowers. These costumes are now fancy dress and the only time you are likely to see them is at displays of folk dancing.

Volta
This refers to the evening stroll taken by the Greeks during the summer. This is best seen along and near the Esplanade in Corfu Town, where the local residents and tourists parade or just sit under the arches of the Liston watching the world go by.

Panayiri
The feast day of the Saint to whom a church is dedicated is always celebrated by a special service and a feast called Panayiri. This may draw people from all over the island and you will see food stalls, lamb roasted on a spit, traditional dancing and much merrymaking. Versions of "Zorba the Greek" or the "Sirtaki" dances can be seen in many tavernas in Corfu where the waiters will be very happy to teach you the steps. However, you will soon sit down again when the professional dancers take to the floor and perform more elaborate dances, often dancing in a ring of fire and lifting tables with their teeth.

As a sign of appreciation, happiness and high spirits, the Greeks may start to smash their plates on the floor. Unfortunately, plate smashing has now been made illegal as it was considered likely to encourage rioting. You can still see plate smashing performed in night-clubs who have a licence to break special unglazed plates. Plate smashing is great fun, especially in a Greek atmosphere - but do be careful not to get carried away as you are charged for any plates that you smash!