Momogeroi / Momoeria
The Momoeria, known as Kotzamania in Tetralofos, invite you to step into another era through folk theatre, music, and laughter. Celebrated every year during the Twelve Days of Christmas, from Christmas to Epiphany, this unique custom comes to life in villages of the Kozani region where Pontic refugees settled. Combining dance, music, and folk theatre, it is one of the area’s most distinctive cultural traditions. The name of the custom is linked to Momus, the ancient Greek god of satire and laughter—and laughter is certainly guaranteed. The group, traditionally made up entirely of men, includes musicians playing traditional Pontic instruments, dancers in striking costumes, and performers portraying a colourful cast of characters such as the “bride”, the “old man”, the “doctor”, the “devil”, and the “gendarmes” (policeman), creating a peculiar ensemble filled with humor, satire, and liveliness. Moving from house to house, the Momogeroi dance, sing, playfully satirise people and everyday situations, while spectators join in the fun by attempting to “kidnap” the bride. Their costumes are one of a kind: a distinctive helmet decorated with small mirrors and beads, a fustanella, a wide belt, and a wooden staff adorned with bells chime rhythmically with every step. Accompanied by the Pontic lyra, the angion (bagpipe) and the daouli drum, they fill the village with festive melodies and a vibrant, almost Dionysian atmosphere. The Momoeria are inscribed in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Greece and on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Brought to the area by Pontic refugees in 1924, the custom has been passed down through generations and continues to be celebrated today in Agios Dimitrios, Tetralofos, Skiti, Alonakia, and Protochori.
