It’s one of the final dances where many of the attendees participate in and it’s called “Piperi” (‘Πιπέρι’). Its erotic overtones based on ancient Greek mythology involve a performer/dancer wielding his belt and circling the crowed of participants that lay on the floor. If they improperly girate, not to the liking of the belt wielding dancer, he strikes them (gently of course). It’s theatrical for the most part and gets laughs and applause from the audience; while children are allowed to sit in the circle, they are never involved or struck. It all takes place at the annual Society of Epirotes of Philadelphia, “Omonia” annual Tsipourovrathia at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church.

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