Greek Christmas customs and traditions: The legend of the "Kallikantzaroi"

Twelve days, Douze Jours, Dodici Giorni or Dodekaimero, as it’s called in Greek, refers to the twelve days and nights that begins on Christmas Eve and ends on Epiphany (Jan 6). This custom has been observed by the Greek people since the Byzantine era.

Who/What are Kallikantzaroi

According to mythology malevolent little creatures or goblins, called “Kallikantzaroi”, come from the depths of the earth where for the past year have been trying fiercely to cut down the tree that holds the earth. But alas! each time they are almost there, Christ is born and the tree reforms.

On this day they rush to the surface of the earth to dominate the nights and wreak havoc to the family by trying to enter the home and contaminate food, tease you, jump on your tables and shoulders, pinch your children, and try on your clothing.

How to prevent them from causing turmoil

To ward off the “Kallinkantzaroi” people burn thick Yule logs in the fireplace and keep it lit for the entire twelve-day period. Fire is the most effective means of eliminating the “Kallinkantzaroi” since it has a cleansing and repulsive power against evil.

They also draw charcoal crosses on the doors and windows of the house saying as a wish “Christ is born, the light shines and the darkness shrinks”.

The malicious little goblins will then try to enter the house through the chimney. To avoid this from happening, the housewife hangs a colander in the opening of the fireplace to prevent them from entering. As they do not shine by their intelligence, the “Kallikantzaroi” start counting the holes of the colander which, as you can guess, takes them a long time which brings them into the morning hours. They are then obliged to scurry away in a hurry before the light of day reaches them.

Another tradition says that they can also enter the house with a visitor who comes late at night. This is where fire defense is needed. Someone in the household should have some form of fire, like a candle, with him and light it at that moment.

The home should be especially clean and tidy this time of year. We must not leave any clothes out of the closet in the evening as the “Kallikantzaroi” will try to wear them thus contaminating them.

To appease the “Kallikantzaroi” family’s leave cakes and sweets on their tables or better yet, on the roof, so they don’t even enter the house.

The Kallikantzaroi return to the depths of the Earth on the day of the Epiphany, with the blessing of the waters, never to be seen until the following Christmas.

It does not matter if these traditions actually exist or not. What is important is that in this way the family is united, the faith intact and offers the opportunity for us to express affection and love to our fellow man.