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Country Dionysia

Historical Attic and non-Attic festivals and modern reconstructions

Research and reconstruct at least one Greek festival for modern use. Provide a complete ritual script. The festival need not be from Attika or Athens.

Preparation

Description

The Country Διωνυσια (Deeo nees eea) is a festival of fun and frivolity designed to lighten spirits for the coming winter months. It is held on a day in the month of Ποσειδον (Po see deon) chosen by the neighborhood. The date was staggered so performers could make a schedule to attend several local festivals.

Greek terms are used where an adequate term in English with the same meaning cannot be found. These are followed by their pronunciation and a glossary follows with full definitions.

Checklist of items necessary to perform the festival rite

Procedure

Πομπη (pomp ee) [Procession]

The participants go in procession from the village Ιστια (Ees tee a) [village hearth] to the τεμενος (temenos) [sacred area] where the remainder of the festival is to be held. Some of the participants should represent the σπονδφοροι (spond fore) [libation bearer carrying a jar of wine] and the κανεφορος (kane foros) [basket bearer carrying a covered basket filled with grapes or raisins and with a phallic symbol upright in the middle]. Others should carry grapevines, a symbol of a male goat (symbolic of the sacrifice) or phallic symbols. To honor Dionysos, all participants are required to wear masks or half-masks throughout the ritual. Plain half-masks will be provided for those unable to obtain their own.

Χερνιπς (hern eeps) [Purification of People]

The person acting as a priest(ess) of Απολλον Αλε&#xi;ικακος (Apollon Alek seek akos) sets up a bowl, a clean cloth and a pitcher of holy water at the entrance to the area. As each person enters the temenos, they wash their hands with the holy water and dry them with the towel provided. While washing their hands, they say in a firm voice, "Εκασ! Εκασ! Εστε βεβηλος!" (Ekas! Ekas! Este veveelos!), meaning "Far off! Far off! Even to the profane!" The ιερος κηρυ&#xi; (eeros keer eeks) [sacred herald] can coach them but each participant must say this for themselves.

Lighting of the Hearth Fire and Purification of the Temenos

Next is the preparation of the participants and the area so that the ritual can be accomplished without unwanted influences. The area should be one that you can have an open flame burning throughout the ritual. (Please, observe all rules of fire safety and ensure there is a means to put out the fire in case of an emergency.) If it isn't practical to have a full hearth fire burning during the whole festival, a symbolic hearth fire (such as a candle) can be substituted. (Historically, the temple was purified before the Khernips but we have found it more practical to do it afterwards so everyone can participate.)

The person acting as a priest(ess) of Απολλον Αλε&#xi;ικακος (Apollon Alek seek akos) prepares the area by lighting the hearth fire and saying, "I conjure you sacred fire whose mother is Ιστια (Ees tee a) and whose father is Ηφιαστοσ (Ee fee a stos)". Next, they define the boundary of the area by sprinkling natron (a mixture of salt and baking soda) in a circle around the area. Once the area is prepared, it is referred to as a τεμενος (temenos) [sacred temple].

Opening Libations

The libations are prepared and served by the οινοχοος (e no hoos) [cup bearer] or σπονδφοροι (spond fore) [libation bearer] and consist of wine mixed with equal parts of water. (If alcohol consumption is a concern, unsweetened grape juice can be substituted for this part of the festival.) When the libation is mixed, the cup bearer uses a soup ladle to serve each person an equal amount poured into their drinking bowls. The ιερος κηρυ&#xi; (eeros keer eeks) [sacred herald] leads each libation below and, for each Immortal, all participants repeat the verbal portion and pour a little of their libation onto the ground (or into a libation bowl to later be poured on the ground). After the last libation, the participants drink the rest of what is in their drinking bowl as a shared offering.

"Σπονδη (Spon dee) Ιστια (Ees tee a), guardian of hearth's fire,
Yours is always the first and the last.
Σπονδη (Spon dee) Φιλομειδια Αφροδιτη (Feelo meed eea Afro dee tee)
Lover of laughter, lifter of the downcast,
Σπονδη (Spon dee) Διωνυσος Βρομιος (Deeo nee sos Vrom eeos)
Noisy and boisterous, giver of ease,
Σπονδη (Spon dee) Immortal Olympians
Come and join our festivities."

Presentation and Activities

The sacred herald should present one of the stories of Dionysos. This should not be scripted or memorized but related from memory. Any deviation can be noted and considered to be a message from an Immortal.

While the μαγεριος (mag eer os) prepares the feast, the participants tell jokes, riddles, limericks and funny stories. After (or during) the storytelling, games are played that are strictly for fun. (Many of the games historically played during this ritual were erotic in nature or athletics dealing with one leg. For the modern ritual, the physical abilities and the sensibilities of non-Hellenic participants should be considered. Use your own judgement.) Some suggested games follow:

Announcement of Feast

When the feast is ready, the sacred herald announces, "When mirth reigns throughout the town and feasters about the house, sitting in order, listen to a minstrel; when the tables beside them are laden with bread and meat and a wine bearer draws sweet drink from the mixing bowl and fills cups; this I think in my heart to be the most delightsome."

Feast and Sacrifice

The meal consists entirely of food eaten with the hands such as fried chicken, fresh fruit, cut vegetables and hand breads (rolls, cupcakes, etc.). Loaves of bread can be included provided it is torn apart with the hands rather than cut.

During the feast, one portion equal to what everyone else is having, is laid aside for the Immortals (which includes skin, bones and other uneatable parts). Afterwards, this portion is completely burned or, if that isn't practical, disposed of in some other manner.

Closing Libations

After the feast, closing libations are performed the same as the opening libations only in reverse order:

"Σπονδη (Spon dee) Immortal Olympians
We thank you for joining our festivities.
Σπονδη (Spon dee) Διωνυσος Βρομιος (Deeo nee sos Vrom eeos)
Noisy and boisterous, giver of ease,
Σπονδη (Spon dee) Φιλομειδια Αφροδιτη (Feelo meed eea Afro dee tee)
Lover of laughter, lifter of the downcast,
Σπονδη (Spon dee) Ιστια (Ees tee a), guardian of hearth's fire,
Yours is always the first and the last."

Closing

After the closing libations, all participants help clean the festival area to be the same as it was when they arrived. After the cleanup, when everyone is ready to leave, the sacred herald leads everyone in saying, "Θαρρει παντ αγαθα πεπραγαμεν" (Tharee pant agatha pepragamen)" meaning "be brave for all good things have come to pass".

Post-Ritual Evaluation Form

In order to improve this ritual in the future, please answer the following questions and return them to the ritual coordinator(s):

Glossary

Works Cited

Theoroi Hellenionou.
Approved
25-Nov-03.