Ragoutsaria

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Modern day revival of Ragoutsaria custom celebrations in Kastoria

In some areas of Greece, as in Kastoria, they celebrate the Ragoutsaria, a carnival like celebration, that last from 6 January through 8 January, coinciding with the Epiphany celebrations.

During the Ragoutsaria, people dress like animals (deer, camels, cows) or as the opposite sex (men dress as women and vice versa). The belief was that if they disguise not to be recognized, then they can exorcise bad spirits (kallikantzaroi) and they would have more crops in their field next year.