Donkeys in Love on the Roof: A Case Study of a “strange” custom in a Greek island Community

Abstract

The donkey is one of the international symbols of fertility. In the Greek case, in particular, this symbolic quality (along with others) has been attributed to it since the mythological years and has remained with it, as shown in this study, until nowadays. The case studied herein is a “strange” custom of the 1^st of May that is performed only in the village of Kynidaros in Naxos, Cyclades, Greece. That day donkeys are lifted up the roofs of the houses of the village to provoke – in a magical way – fertility for the humans and the earth. The study presents the folk interpretations of the custom as evidence of a forgotten early meaning of it and its symbolisms. The folklore interpretation of the custom is also provided and its function today is investigated as it is organized solely by the members of the local cultural community. Finally, the variations that occurred through time to the cultural representation of the animal in the Greek world as imposed by the hegemonic discourses of the ancient Greek literature and the Christian religion are presented in brief.