Karpathos, although a small island, has a very large and rich folk culture and still keeps its customs with great dedication. This attachment is due to its geographical position (away from central Greece) and to the genuine and pure Greek soul of Karpathos.
Many Greeks and foreigners have been involved with Karpathos and plenty of folklore material has been published in books, magazines and newspapers, but it is also very much unpublished in the hands of researchers.
Due to its great folklore richness, Karpathos is considered one of the most important “blood donors” of Greek Folklore.
Invaluable treasures for Karpathos are folklore works by Manolakaki, Michaelides Noirou, Georgiou, Alexiadis.
Most of their folklore is still preserved from Karpathians in all over the world.
It is remarkable with how devotion, not only the permanent residents, but also the Karpathians of the Diaspora maintain the literary and customary folklore of Karpathos.
Folk songs and improvisations of the moment mantinades, proverbs, riddles, fairy tales, myths, traditions, greetings, curses and vows are in the mouths and everyday debates of the Karpathian youths and elders, men and women.
A special place, of course, is the seated Karpathian feast, which gives the opportunity to live the folk songs of Karpathos, but also presents the poetic talent of Karpathos, with the mantinades of the moment, expressing their pain and joy, depending on circumstance.
These kinds of celebrations are always attended by the local musical instruments (tsabouna (bagpipe), lyre, lute, violin) at festivals, social events (baptisms, weddings, name festivals) after the rich traditional banqueting tables to which all are invited.
At the same events, one can enjoy the local traditional dances to which the good feasts end up with.
Some of these dances are Siganos, Gonatistos, Pano choros, Sousta, Fumistos (only in marriage), Zervos, Kefallonitis, Antipatitis, Arkistis. Of these, the top five are most often danced. Mainly the Up dance and Sousta.
Many original customs, which have their origins in antiquity, are still preserved in Karpathos and the Karpathians feel particularly proud every time they participate in them.
Cultural Associations and the Cultural Center of the Municipality, organize events of local character and color (customs revival, “Volada and Othos” wine celebrations, meetings, dance festivals and dance parties).
The elaborate, variegated woven embroidery and knits that make up the decoration, the “beauty” of the Karpathian “sufas”, is a matter of Karpathian housewife and a great chapter of her folk heritage.
Inside this house, the large Karpathian house, which is itself a small folklore museum, handcrafted, woodcuts, portraits of grandparents and parents, make the family joys, as well as the rich tables for the “guests”, to whom traditional dishes, drinks and sweets are offered.
