Καλλιτεχνικός Σύλλογος Δημοτικής Μουσικής Δόμνα Σαμίου

This well-known song, the hallmark of every Carnival revel, perfectly combines the magical with the comic element, provoking an abundance of laughter and high spirits. The song accompanies a slow men’s dance with three steps which alternate with imitative ceremonial movements by the group. The leader sings first and the others repeat after him. As soon as he mentions each manner of grinding the ‘pepper’, the dancers fall to the ground and make the corresponding movements with their bodies. Only the first man remains standing, supervising the dance and, with the stick or belt he holds in his hand, ‘correcting’ whomever does not obey or makes the wrong movements. The symbolism in the song is obvious. Miranda Terzopoulou (1994)

Live recording in the taverna 'To Monastiri', in Athens, in 1994.

Watch a different version of the song by Charilaos Tsaktsiras. Live recording from the concert Carnival Songs with Domna Samiou at the Thessaloniki Concert Hall, at 4/3/2003.