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.
SUPPORT COSMOS PHILLY
Help Us Keep Telling the Stories That Connect Us
Cosmos Philly covers Greek-American life in Philadelphia and beyond, alongside the news, history, and culture of Greece and Cyprus.
Your contribution helps us continue our reporting, interviews, and historical features, and keep our work freely accessible to everyone.