messinia.mobi
Menu
  • BE INTERESTED IN...
    • MONUMENTS
    • ANCIENT TIMES
    • BYZANTIUM
    • CASTLES
    • MUSEUMS
    • TOWERS
    • RELIGIOUS MONUMENTS
    • OF MODERN HISTORY
    • NATURE
    • BEACHES
    • ISLANDS
    • WATERFALLS
    • PATHS
    • LAKES
    • UNIQUE LOCATIONS
    • CAVES
    • ACTIVITIES
    • WATER SPORTS
    • DIVING
    • HORSE RIDING
    • RIDE A BIKE
    • CLIMBING
    • GASTRONOMIC EXPERIENCES
    • SAILING - SEA TOURS
    • MULTI - ACTIVITY VENUES
    • TOUR GUIDES
    • PADEL TENNIS
    • YOGA CLASSES
    • ACCOMODATION
    • HOTELS
    • ROOMS TO LET
    • HOUSES TO RENT
    • VILLAS
    • CAMPING SITES
    • SHORT TERM RENTAL
    • CATERING
    • RESTAURANTS
    • FISH TAVERNS (RESTAURANTS)
    • GRILL HOUSES
    • APPETISERS AND SNACKS
    • PIZZA HOUSES
    • BRUNCH
    • CREPES AND SANDWICH
    • VENUES-CATERING
    • CANTEENS
    • COOKHOUSES
    • GOING OUT
    • BARS
    • BEACH BARS
    • NIGHT CLUBS
    • COFFEE SHOPS
    • LOCAL PRODUCTS
    • SPIRITS
    • FROM THE OLIVE TREE
    • FROM THE LAND - VEGETABLES
    • BAKED GOODS
    • DAIRY PRODUCTS
    • MEAT PRODUCTS
    • SPICES
    • NUTS
    • SWEETS & SWEETENERS
    • SPAGHETTI
    • LEGUMES
    • FROM THE LAND - FRUIT
    • HERBS & HERBAL COSMETICS
    • NATURAL COSMETICS
    • SHOPPING
    • FOR PRESENTS
    • SWIMMING EQUIPMENT
    • BOOKSTORES-TOY STORES
    • SHOES & CLOTHING
    • JEWELLERY SHOPS
    • HOUSEHOLD ITEMS
    • LIQUOR STORE
    • FLOWER SHOPS
    • OPTICS STORES
    • JEWELLERY & ACCESSORIES
    • FURNITURE
    • COSMETICS
    • AUTO SPARE PARTS-LUBRICANTS
    • FINE ARTS-WORKS OF ART
    • PAINTS & TOOLS
    • FOODS
    • TRADITIONAL PRODUCTS
    • SWEET SHOPS
    • SUPERMARKETS
    • BAKERIES
    • GROCERY STORES
    • DELICATESSEN
    • GELATERIA
    • ORGANIC - FOOD SUPPLEMENTS
    • TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
    • SEA TRANSPORTATIONS
    • TAXI-MINI BUSES
    • MINI BUSES
    • RENT A CAR
    • TRAVEL-TOURIST AGENCIES
    • AIRPORTS
    • BUS SERVICES (KTEL)
    • GAS STATIONS - CAR WASH
    • RENT A BOAT
    • HEALTH
    • HOSPITALS
    • MEDICAL CENTRES
    • DOCTORS
    • PHARMACY
    • REGIONAL CLINICS
    • PET CARE
    • VETERINARIANS
    • PET SHOP
    • PET GROOMING
    • PET TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
    • WELLNESS
    • SPAS
    • HAIR SALONS
    • BEAUTY PARLORS
    • GYMS
    • BARBER SHOPS
    • SERVICES
    • REAL ESTATE
    • INSURANCE
    • STUDIES - LEARNING
    • KITCHEN FURNITURE-CONSTRUCTIONS
    • CLOTHES MENDING
    • PHOTOGRAPHERS
    • YACHT SERVICES
    • MANAGEMENT-CONSULTANT AGENCIES
    • GARAGE- CAR & TYRE REPAIR SHOP
    • SALES & REPAIRS OF GADGETS
    • ORGANIZATION & MANAGEMENT OF EVENTS-CULTURAL ENTERPRISES
    • DO IT YOURSELF
    • ACCOUNTING OFFICES
    • UPHOLSTERY
    • SHOE REPAIRS
    • KEY-LOCKS
    • Messinian Associations
    • ATHLETIC ASSOCIATIONS/CLUBS
    • CULTURAL ASSOCIATIONS
    • TAKE PART IN...
    • WITH MY STORY
    • WITH MY ENTERPRISE
  • MESSINIA OVER THE CENTURES
    • PERSONALITIES
    • Myths and History
    • Customs and Traditions
    • Old Photographs
    • Authentic Recipes
  • CITIES / VILLAGES
  • SEARCH
  • EL
  • EN

    The tradition of “gdikiomos” in Mani

    • messinia.mobi
    • Customs and Traditions
    Spread the word
    The tradition of “gdikiomos” in Mani

    The tradition of "gdikiomos" (or "dikiomos (justice)") began in Mani centuries ago and is the revenge of the victim's family by murdering the murderer. When someone did not take revenge, they were considered unworthy and despised. At the same time, when there was no murder in the clashes, the heads of other families took it upon themselves to reconcile the warring families. "Retribution" is not only revenge but also the punishment of injustice, as well as its restoration, which results in retribution.

    The "gdikiomos (vengeance)" was calmly decided by a family council, while it was not necessary to punish the person guilty personally. Revenge could also be directed against another member of the opposing family. The male children of the family (when their father was the victim of "gdikiomos") were raised with the sole purpose of getting their blood back. Specifically, the unwritten law said, "The honourable man never gives away his right." The first strike did not come without warning. The bells rang, the two opposing parties went to their towers, and from then on, everything was permitted. When the revenge was completed, the family locked themselves in their house so as not to provoke the family of the dead.

    In some cases, the unwritten code of "gidikomos" allowed a temporary respite (the so-called "treva") during the period of ploughing, sowing, reaping, threshing and during the picking of olives. A limited truce could also be made when a member of the rival families had a wedding, baptism, or other joyous event. Another event that could reconcile the warring parties was the Turkish threat. The most extended truce was the one requested by Mavromichalis on the eve of the War of Independence.

    Women also played an essential role in maintaining the Mani "gdikiomos", who, with their death songs-obituaries, pushed the men of the family to murder. After the murder, the “Maniatissa” widow lulled her orphaned son whose father was killed: "Grow up and take advantage of the sword (=weapon) and zalothis (=load) to hunt the murderer, from the cliff and the mountains, our right to be avenged".

    The most common way the "battle" ended was by eradicating one of the two families, in which case its remaining members were scattered to other villages, leaving the fields and towers to the victor. If the defeated family decided to remain in the village, then they had to apologise to the victor with a set ritual formality. The murderer and his family, unarmed, would go after consultation to the victim's house, kneel before the victim's parents and show practical repentance. They bent down and kissed him, and the dead man's mother covered him with her apron, saying: "So be it with God."

    There followed hugs and kisses from both sides and treats (mainly meat and wine) where they reconciled, eating and drinking. In such cases of reconciliation, both reconciled were called "soulmates".

    Finally, the opposite of "revenge" was "psochiko" or "soul brotherhood," which was the conciliatory custom of apology and forgiveness. Specifically, it is about the custom of Easter Sunday, where during the second resurrection, the warring parties stood facing each other and greeted each other with a kiss of love. From the 1870s, the custom of "Gdikiomos" gradually receded, eventually passing into history.

    NEARBY TOWNS/VILLAGES

    • Neochori ~0.7Km

    • Pyrgos ~0.8Km

    • Ano (Upper) Riglia ~2.3Km

    • Kato Riglia ~2.4Km

    • Lefktro ~2.4Km

    • Agios Nikolaos ~2.5Km

    • Eleochori ~2.5Km

    • Driopi ~2.5Km

    • Stoupa ~3.2Km

    • Saint Dimitrios / Agios Dimitrios ~3.7Km

    • Kotroni ~4.1Km

    • Pigi ~4.4Km

    • Karyovouni ~4.4Km

    • Kyvelia ~4.6Km

    • Kato Chora ~4.9Km

    • Platsa ~4.9Km

    • Proastio ~5.3Km

    • Milia ~5.6Km

    • Kalamitsi ~6.2Km

    • Lakkos ~6.3Km

    • Nomitsis ~6.4Km

    • Koumani ~6.8Km

    • Exochori ~6.8Km

    • Petrovouni ~6.9Km

    • Chora Exochoriou ~7.1Km

    • Agia Sophia ~7.2Km

    • Kardamyli ( Kardamili  ) ~7.3Km

    • Thalames ~7.3Km

    RELATED FOLKLORE CLOSE BY

    Alexis Zorbas, (his real name being George)

    Alexis Zorbas, (his real name being George)

    cat-icon
    Sir Patrick Leigh Fermor and Mani.

    Sir Patrick Leigh Fermor and Mani.

    cat-icon
    Tyndareus, father of Helen of Troy

    Tyndareus, father of Helen of Troy

    cat-icon
    Pirates of Mani

    Pirates of Mani

    cat-icon
    Looking for... boys!

    Looking for... boys!

    cat-icon
    The Spartium (plant) in Mani

    The Spartium (plant) in Mani

    cat-icon
    The costume of Mani

    The costume of Mani

    cat-icon
    The Easter customs of Mani

    The Easter customs of Mani

    cat-icon

    THE LATEST IN THE CATEGORY

    The Εvent of Abundance in Nedousa

    The Εvent of Abundance in Nedousa

    The breakage of the pomegranate fruit

    The breakage of the pomegranate fruit

     The bride

     The bride's "Kouloura/bread roll-shaped "

    I have an

    I have an 'uncle' in Koroni. ( Ich hab einen Onkel in Koroni)  

    The story behind the famous Greek Souvlaki

    The story behind the famous Greek Souvlaki

    The costume of Mani

    The costume of Mani

    Sericulture (silk farming) and production of silk in Mani

    Sericulture (silk farming) and production of silk in Mani

    The olive oil of Mani

    The olive oil of Mani

    Diples

    Diples

    Lalagia

    Lalagia

    Looking for... boys!

    Looking for... boys!

    Kyparissia - Old Watermill

    Kyparissia - Old Watermill

    "The Anthesteria Feast in Kalamata, a journey through time"

    "The Anthesteria Feast in Kalamata, a journey through time"

    Malliaros Carnival

    Malliaros Carnival

    The custom of flying hot air balloons in Messenia

    The custom of flying hot air balloons in Messenia

    The Easter customs of Mani

    The Easter customs of Mani

    The Spartium (plant) in Mani

    The Spartium (plant) in Mani

    The Koutsavitiki traditional costume

    The Koutsavitiki traditional costume

    NEARBY, YOU WILL FIND...

    • ANCIENT TIMES
    • BEACHES
    • BYZANTIUM
    • ISLANDS
    • MUSEUMS
    • PATHS
    BYZANTIUM
    ~2.6 km

    Agios Petros Church

    BEACHES
    ~3 km

    Pantazis Beach

    BEACHES
    ~3.2 km

    Stoupa's secret seaside

    BEACHES
    ~3.4 km

    Kalogria Beach 

    BEACHES
    ~3.4 km

    Chalikoura Beach

    BEACHES
    ~4.6 km

    Katafygi

    PATHS
    ~4.7 km

    Noupantis Gorge 

    BEACHES
    ~4.9 km

    Foneas Beach

    MUSEUMS
    ~6.7 km

    "Androuvista" Historical and Folklore Museum 

    ISLANDS
    ~6.9 km

    Merope Islet  

    PATHS
    ~7.5 km

    Vyros Gorge

    BYZANTIUM
    ~7.5 km

    Saint Spyridon's Church

    ANCIENT TIMES
    ~7.5 km

    Dioskouros Brothers' Tombs

    MUSEUMS
    ~7.5 km

    Mourtzinos' Tower

    BEACHES
    ~8.4 km

    Ritsa Beach

    messinia.mobi alt logo

    DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION

    Going to be on the move ? Simply download IOS or the Android application and discover the beauties of Messinia.
    iOS Store app link
    Google Play app link

    BE PART OF THIS PATH TO HISTORY

    Place your own fragment in the traditional mosaic and heritage of Messinia.
    Submit your story
    Member of
    messinia.mobi alt logo

    CONTACT US

    address 123 Faron st, Kalamata
    tel icon +30 27210 93522
    email icon [email protected]
    fb iconinstagram icon

    USEFUL LINKS

    • What messinia.mobi consists of and what it involves
    • Link/ Connect your site
    • Collaborations and thankful notes
    • Terms of Use
    • Data Protection & Copyright infringement

    MESSINIA REPRESENTATIVE

    CHRIS KOTSIOVELOS

    tel icon 0030 6948208924