Sarakatsani

The Sarakatsanoi (in Greek: Σαρακατσάνοι) are an ethnic group which preserved its pastoral and nomadic character till the end of World War II when they gradually abandoned the nomadic way of life and moved in persistent settlements. Their life –invariably linked with their animals– was a constant movement from the mountains to the lowland to ensure their flocks can find food. Segregated from the local cultural element, they preserved their own unique cultural character presenting impressive homogeneity in language, customs and way of living. For the above reasons, since the beginning of 20th century, their life intrigued anthropologists and scientists, with some of them choosing to follow the Sarakatsani uncommitted way of living.

The uninterrupted consistency in types of residence (the circular hut made of branches is found everywhere around the world, and is an archetypic form of human residence) and in decorative motifs in all aspects of their handicraft –weaving, embroidery, knitting, woodcarving, bread decoration– is, according to Aggeliki Chadjimichali, the famous Greek anthropologist, unique in the history of Greek folk art. Ancient geometric patterns (zigzag, waves, meanders) are repeated with impressive consistency in Sarakatsani handiworks.

The core of the Sarakatsani social structure (tseligata) is another component which remained intact through the years. Tseligata were small communities consisting of 20-50 families. All the members of the clan obeyed the alpha male, the tseligas who was the leader of the clan. In this strict social structure, where the father figure dominated in all aspects of life, the woman's role was crucial but humble, almost invisible. Women weren't occupied with flocks, but all the other activities of the clan were their responsibility: building the hut and organizing life in it, housekeeping, carrying water, wood gathering and cleaning of the sheep stead. Notably, every aspect of the Sarakatsani art –except for woodcarving– was a woman’s domain. All clothesmaking tasks, from choosing the appropriate wool to weaving in the loom were performed exclusively by women.

The following Thematic Exhibition includes multiple samples of weaving and embroidery, portraits, snapshots of everyday life and recordings of meetings in the countryside where the younger revive old customs, sing, and dance following their ancestors’ steps in an attempt to preserve historical memory.