New Year’s Initiation Processions of Teenagers: The Case of “Young Gegides” of Emporio, Eordaia

Abstract

The social coming of age is an issue in many – if not in all – cultures through the procedures of initiations. Such ceremonies have always existed since in the traditional societies the biological adulthood happens through the society – community. The fact that these ceremonies are old is proven through totem worships that have survived until today. Obviously in our era the conceptual core of these ceremonies has transformed since the adulthood is no longer a social issue but a legal one. So these processions have a new form adjusted to the social – historical and cultural circumstances. This article deals with this adjustment observing the ancient issue of initiation processions of teenagers (agermos) through a modern point of view. Specifically, with the excuse of the custom “Young Gegides” of Emporio, Eordaia, that takes place on New Year’s Day, the article studies the way that these processions happen now in this community, their functionality and the meaning that is attributed to them not only by those who take part but also by the community. It also studies the reasons – the triggering events that led through time to these changes and finally to the adjustments and the way that these innovations became assimilated in the local community.