greece and “greekness”
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Greece and “Greekness”. What does it mean to be Greek?. Greece. The Remains of the Past Lead to the Present. Location Asks the geographic question: Where is it?. Two ways of describing the position and distribution of people and places on Earth’s surface. Absolute location on Earth - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Greece and “Greekness”
What does it mean to be Greek?
Greece
The Remains of the Past Lead to the Present
Location Asks the geographic question:
Where is it?
Two ways of describing the position and distribution of people and places on Earth’s surface.– Absolute location on Earth – Relative location
Where is Greece?
Greece
39o N
22o E
How big is Greece
About the size of Louisiana – 52,000 sq. miles
Interesting fact:2000 islands – 227 inhabited
Cultural MosaicWhat is Culture?
Human characteristics that define a group of people.
• Social structure• Language• Beliefs• Art• Food• Traditions
Culture describes how a group defines itself and the groups way of life .
Greek Identity
• Language - Greek
• Religion – Greek Orthodox
• Common Habits and Customs (Culture)
• Hellenism -- Connection to Classic Greece (descended from Hellen, son of Deucalion)
Greece and “Greekness”
What does it mean to be Greek?
LANGUAGE
Language
• 99% of the population speaks Greek
• Greek is the official language
• English is widely spoken
Greece and “Greekness”
What does it mean to be Greek?
RELIGION
Eastern Orthodox Church of Christ
• Religion plays an important role in the everyday life of Greeks
• 98% of the population Greek Orthodox
Brief Overview of Beliefs
• Orthodox Christians believe in a single God who is both three and one—Triune—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, "one in essence and undivided."
• Ultimate goal of the Orthodox Christian is to achieve theosis, or Union with God
• Salvation, or "being saved," refers to process of being saved from the fate of separation from God. Available to all – not the same as going to Heaven.
• A person does not earn entrance into Heaven• Resurrection of Christ is the most important event of the
Orthodox Church
History of Greek Orthodox Church
• Christianity first spread in Greek speaking half of the Roman empire.
• 313 Emperor Constantine (Byzantine) ended persecution of Christians
• Differences and disagreements between the two parts of the Roman Empire occurred over successive centuries.
• Great Schism (break) from Roman Catholic Church (Church of the West) and Constantinople (Church of the East) in 11th Century.
• Orthodox religions spread in East.
Church Services
• Mostly sung or chanted
• Incense – symbolizes pray rising to God
Customs Tied to Religion
• Easter most important in Greek Orthodox religion
• Name Day• Saints Day/Festivals• Fasting
Nativity of the Theotokos September 8
Exaltation of the Holy Cross September 14
Presentation of the Theotokos in the Temple
November 21
Christmas (Nativity of Jesus Christ) December 25
Epiphany (Baptism of Christ) January 6
Presentation of Christ in the Temple February 2
Annunciation (Evangelismos) March 25
EASTER (Pascha)(Varies from year
to year)
Ascension(40 Days after
Easter)
Pentecost(50 Days after
Easter)
Transfiguration of Christ August 6
Dormition of the Theotokos (Kimissis) August 15
Major Feast Days
Fasting
• Regain a sense of purity• Seen as a great privilege-not a burden• Number of fast days varies from year to
year but usually makes up about half the year dedicated to fasting.
• Almsgiving, giving to those in need, is especially important during periods of fasting.
Common roadside memorials to a dead family member.
Cemetery alters
Icons• Found in churches and homes.• Images of • Icons are typically paintings on
wood, often small. • Icons are often illuminated with a
candle or oil lamp • ex-voto is a votive offering to a saint
or divinity -symbolize the miracle one is seeking or for which one is offering thanks
Names
• Named after saints or martyrs.• Babies receive their name at baptism (usually around 12
months of age).• Naming pattern – first boy after father’s father. First girl
after father’s mother. Second boy – mother's father – second girl – mother’s mother.
• Days of the year dedicated to a saint or martyr. • Celebrate Name Day – more important than a birthday –
on the saint day for which you’re named.• Babies and mothers usually don’t leave house for 40 days
(“lehona”)
Greece and “Greekness”
What does it mean to be Greek?
SHARED CUSTOMS/TRADITIONS
Greek Cultural Life
Elements of Greek lifestyle
• Food
• Family
• Fun
• Customs/Traditions
• City vs. Rural Lifestyle
Greek Dancing and Music
Popular Foods and Drinks
Greek Salad
Calamari and Octopus
Moussaka
Souvlaki It is usually meat of some sort, beef, lamb, pork or
'unknown' that is on a giant vertical rotisserie. The souvlaki 'cook' slices off the meat as it becomes done and puts it on a round pita bread with lettuce, tomato, onions, and tzadziki, a cucumber-yogurt-garlic sauce In some souvlaki shops the meat is skewered
Souvlaki
• Frappe's are the lifeblood of Greek society. Made with instant Nescafe mixed with milk, water lots of sugar and ice
• Greek Coffee
Coffee
Olives
•Production of olives and olive oil is often a family affair.
•Greece is 3rd in world in olive oil production
•120,000,000 olive treesI
•Important part of Greek diet
Greek Men
Spend time in the kafenion (men's coffeehouse) or taverna
Komboloi (worry beads) beads running through his fingers
Tavli (backgammon) is the favorite game of Greek men in the kafenion and on the streets
Greek Women
• In charge of the domestic affairs of the family
• Socialize with other women
• Church functions
• Modern Greek women have opportunities for jobs outside the home
Way of Life Rural
Mountain Villages
Island Villages
About 30% of population in rural areas.
Rural craftman – shoe shop
Restaurant on the small island village on island of Spetses
Athens
• About 5 million people
• 45% of population of Greece lives in Athens
• Large population boom in 1950’s and 60’s as countries moves from agricultural to more industrial nation
• 60% of Greeks live in urban areas
Customs
Work Day
• Work usually 7-8 hours a day.
• 2:oo -5:oo PM shops close for the afternoon.
• Late night dining (9:00 PM) is common.
Way of Life Urban
Plaka-Athens
Cycladic Museum-Athens
Street scene in Athens. Notice the Chinese writing?
Street Scenes in Athens
More Street Scenes
City School
School cafeteria
Children at recess
Greece and “Greekness”
What does it mean to be Greek?
HELLENISM
• Belief in gods and goddesses that dealt with a specific aspect of life.
• Originally told in oral tradition then recorded tales in writing as poems, stories, songs, plays.
• Time of democratic ideals, philosophy, fine architecture, sculpture, arts, literature, and theater.
Roots to Ancient Greece
The Greek Empire
Alexander the Great – spread Greek ideas and culture to lands he conquered.
Keeping Hellenism Alive
• Hellenistic Societies Organizations around the world
• Newspaper and magazines, televison
• Greek Festivals
• Family ties to Greece
• Foundations to preserve and share Greek culture – Example The Onassis Foundation