Καλλιτεχνικός Σύλλογος Δημοτικής Μουσικής Δόμνα Σαμίου

A song with rhyming eight-syllable quatrains to the steps of the local klistos (closed) dance from Sinasos, which was sung and danced by women unaccompanied by instruments.

The words were most probably introduced to Constantinople by residents from Sinasos, who formed a large and wealthy community in the Ottoman capital from the mid-18th century. The theme is very well known and was found, with countless variations, all the way from Constantinople to Kastellorizo. Losing the gold embroidered scarf which showcases the outstanding skill of its maker as well as symbolizing their passion, a mark of love serving a similar function to an engagement ring, is considered a great misfortune. In other variations, the loser usually offers up the large sum of money contained in his precious handkerchief as a gift, just so long as he gets it back, because in this way, by synecdoche, he will win back his beloved (see, for example, the Smyrnaean song Ήχασα μαντίλι μ’ εκατό φλουριά (I lost a handkerchief with a hundred coins, Ichasa mantili m’ ekato flouria).

Theodor Kondaras (2022)

Live recording from the concert Songs of Asia Minor with Domna Samiou at the Megaron, the Athens Concert Hall, on 8/3/2005.

The song was recorded by Domna Samiou in 1982 sung by Eleni Lazopoulou-Stratoudaki, 75, and Vasiliki Pepe, 70, refugees both from Sinasos, Cappadocia.