The Sugared Almond in Modern Greek Rites of Passage

Abstract

Recently, correspondents in FLS News have shown a great deal of interest in sugared almonds. In particular, there has been a keen awareness of continental traditions (especially French and Italian) involving the giving of sugared almonds at weddings and baptisms (see: Hazel 1991; Sughrue 1991; Stone 1991; Wood 1991; Simpson 1992; Tatem 1992). Sugared almonds are also important in Greek rites of passage, and many uses are unique to that country.1 Much of the information in this article comes from the island of Cephallonia, where I came to live in 1986, yet close parallells can be seen in other parts of Greece. Much of the information is also personal—I got engaged and then married in the same year I arrived, I was received into the Orthodox church, and both my children have been baptised in that faith. On each of these occasions, sugared almonds were given. Living and worshipping with the Cephallonians has enabled me to share many of their joys and sorrows, and to see the various ways in which the sugared almonds are used.

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