The Camel’s Wanders – Aetos
New Year’s Day in Aetos means laughter, music, and a camel wandering through the village streets. The Camel’s Wanders is a traditional custom revived every January 1st, bringing joy and satire to the day. Two villagers hide beneath a large camel skin attire to form the aforementioned camel, which moves from house to house accompanied by music, songs, and playful banters. The procession includes a “bride” and “groom”, “judges”, “police officers”, and a series of comic scenes performed at each stop. The villagers laugh, sing, and offer treats to the “camel handlers”, until everyone gathers in the square for a large communal feast. Satire, theatricality, and collective spirit intertwine, in a tradition that welcomes the new year with the laughter it so deserves.
