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The involvement of women in Greek folk songs is neither figurative nor secondary in nature, but necessary - even mandatory. However, women have been ostracized from Cretan music, at least until recently.
Naturally, female voices (the daughters of Kalogrides) undertone the vocals in the Protomastores album (1920) and the exception to the rule can be extended to include other women who used to accompany their fathers or husbands, but their involvement was secondary, not substantial.
What is more, women singers of Cretan songs were not uncommon, even decades ago. However, they were barred from the kind of substantial participation Cretan folk music requires – this is not only vocal, but also instrumental: the lyre, the lute and the mandolin were an exclusive male prerogative. Well, this is not the case any more: during the last few years we have witnessed the rise of a women’s “suffragette movement” in Cretan music, with women playing not only the lyre or the lute, but also making a living by rendering their artistic services in traditional folk music venues (Kentra) and events (christenings, weddings, festivals, etc.). Notwithstanding women’s progress in this respect, we are currently far from identifying among them an artist as promising as Rodinos, Mountakis and Skordalos. It is too early, yet. However, Cretan music is proud to welcome accomplished women performers that add not only spice to the Cretan musical idiom, but also charm to the settings.
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SOULA DASKALOMARKAKI (lute)
The vocal part of my performance in the US Congress required the services of a translator.
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TASSOULA (lyre-vocals)
There are days that surpass nights in dismal and deep shades.
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CHRYSSOULA SIFOYIORGAKI (vocals)
I hate to see women “playing” the lyre or “singing” songs by tapping their feet.
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NIKI XILOURI (vocals)
Well, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
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KATERINA PAGONAKI (vocals)
Cretan music is not a male prerogative anymore.
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MARIA PERISTENIDI (lyre)
Cretan women can hardly write off housework and the care for children |
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SOFI CHRONAKI (vocals)
I had to work hard to make a name for myself.
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KATERINA GARGANOURAKI-KAZAMIA (lyre)
Music evolves irrespective of the gender of the performers. |
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SPYRIDOULA TOUTOUDAKI (vocals)
Boys or girls - what’s the difference, if they are accomplished performers?
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Riki
Mataliotaki
Read the full article with exclusive
interviews (in Greek) in STIGMES
issue no 74
Search for Cretan music at CRETA
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