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Folk Games of Cyprus

Folk Games of Cyprus

Traditional games in Cyprus represent a valuable cultural heritage passed from generation to generation, teaching social skills, building community bonds, and providing entertainment before electronic devices dominated leisure time. The games of the people of Cyprus are a valuable cultural heritage, as are other similar heritages like fairytales, songs, and proverbs. Some games come from Greece, but they play them extensively in Cyprus, while other games are originally Cypriot. Traditional games are played in villages and especially by the older generations, though certain games like tavli and pilotta remain popular across all ages and regions. Tavli, The Strategic Board Game Tavli is especially played in Cyprus and Greece and is enjoyed by people of all ages, particularly in coffee shops where the sounds of rolling dice and clattering pieces resonate throughout the day and most evenings. The term tavli itself derives from the Greek word meaning "board." The game is thought to have been introduced to Cyprus during the Byzantine era when dice games enjoyed immense popularity. Tavli is a compendium game for two players which comprises three different variants played in succession: Portes, Plakoto, and Fevga. These are played in a cycle until one player reaches the target score, usually five or seven points. The backgammon board is divided into four areas with six points included in each area,…

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Walking and Seaside Visits in Cyprus

Walking and Seaside Visits in Cyprus

Cyprus life revolves around the Mediterranean Sea and the simple pleasure of walking. The island's 650 kilometers of coastline and 326 days of annual sunshine create perfect conditions for daily seaside visits that locals consider essential rather than optional.  Walking serves multiple purposes in Cypriot culture, from exercise and social connection to mental relaxation and community participation. The coastal promenades and beaches function as outdoor living rooms where families gather, friends meet, and strangers become acquaintances through repeated casual encounters. The History of Coastal Walking Traditions The tradition of evening coastal walks, known as the volta, traces back to ancient Greek and Roman practices of gathering in public spaces. During Byzantine times, promenades along harbor areas served as meeting points for merchants, fishermen, and community members. The Ottoman period introduced coffee culture that complemented these walking traditions, creating social patterns that persist today. British colonial rule added formal promenade design to coastal cities, particularly in Limassol and Larnaca where waterfront development emphasized public access. The modern promenade culture emerged after Cyprus independence in 1960, when cities began investing in coastal infrastructure. The Paphos promenade development connected the medieval harbor with archaeological sites, while Limassol created the Molos, a palm-lined waterfront park that opened in 2014. These projects reclaimed seafronts for public use after decades of commercial and industrial dominance, transforming…

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Cyprus Hero Digenis Akritas

Cyprus Hero Digenis Akritas

Digenis Akritas stands as the most famous epic hero to emerge from the Byzantine Empire, celebrated in folk ballads and a lengthy epic poem that originated in the 10th century and developed further in the 12th century. The name Digenis means "two-blood" or "of two peoples," referring to his mixed Byzantine Greek and Arab heritage.  Akritas translates to "borderer" or "frontier guard," identifying his role defending Byzantine territory. The protagonist became the archetype of the ideal medieval Greek hero, frequently appearing in traditional folk songs particularly popular in Crete, Cyprus, and Asia Minor. For Cypriots specifically, Digenis Akritas represents more than legend, symbolizing bravery, strength, and the eternal fight for freedom against foreign invaders. The Epic Story and Family Origins The epic details the life of the hero Basil, whose epithet Digenis Akritas refers to his unique parentage. The first half of the epic, written in an epic tone, describes how his parents met. His mother, a Byzantine noblewoman named Eirene from the aristocratic Doukas family, was abducted during an Arab raid by his father, an Arab emir named Mousour. After capturing Eirene, the emir fell in love with her and she with him. To marry her, Mousour converted to Christianity, reconciling the two peoples through marriage and representing the triumph of Christianity over Islam. The reconciliation between Byzantine and…

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