Customs and traditions of mandra
Ethnology – Folklore and Intangible Cultural Heritage
An emblematic figure of the island of Lemnos and a representativecharacter, "kechagias" identified his existence with the primary sector of the island throughout the ages. Kechagias is the farmer and livestock breeder of the island who, while possessing traditional knowledge of managing the herd and the land, and some of the tools required for its cultivation, does not own the land, so he traditionally rents large areas from the landowners, which in the local dialect are called ‘zouvgaria’, in the form of a lease, and tries to survive both himself and his family, as well as his herd. The kechagias constantly adapts based on the economic data of the time and thus serves as an excellent example of the pure Lemnian who continuously struggles in his life.
Many refer to the culture of kechagias, speaking of its life and worldview, distinguishing it discreetly from the rest of the community of Lemnos, as it constitutes the primary working group of the island that can be traced back to the era of Ottoman rule. As such a group, with its own collective memory and worldview, it inevitably becomes a carrier of customs and traditions related to its area of activity, the mandra, which serves not only as the production space of the kechagiades but also as a consumption area. The influences of the customs and rituals one finds surrounding the life of the kechagiades are related to both Asia Minor and neighboring Thrace, regions where the kechagiades traditionally maintained economic and social relations at least throughout the 20th century. The customs are found in both the cycle of time and the cycle of life, and they relate to well-being and the warding off of evil, as the flock constitutes the main source of income for the family, as well as the harvest, since the prime products consumed during the year are legumes, cereals, and nuts.