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Κακλαμάνικο
The dance is danced by Kaklamans, a pumpkin serves as drum.*
In Trikeri’s old neighbourhood the Kaklamans were dancing.
They sang a song: o Kaklaman, your wife has given birth.
What did she have? A boy. When shall I see him? In the bow.
When shall I see him in the bow, luring octopuses?
When shall I see him in the stern, fishing with a line?
When shall I see him in the hold, bundling up the sponges?
They did their usual daily sting, to hell with all of them.
Translated by John Leatham
*The dance is no more the dance of the Kaklamani than a pumpkin is a drum
Κακλαμάνικος χορός,
κολοκ’θένιος τύμπανος.*
Στα παλιά τα Τρίκερι,
Κακλαμάνοι χόρευαν,
λέγανε κι ένα τραγούδι:
Κακλαμάνε γένν’σε η γ’ναίκα σ’.
Και τι έκαμε; –Αγόρι.
Πότε θα το ιδώ στην πλώρη
να πλανεύει το χταπόδι,
πότε θα το ιδώ στην πρύμη
να ψαρεύει μι τ’αρμίδι,
πότε θα το ιδώ στ’ αμπάρι
ν’ αμπαλάρει το σφουγγάρι.
Κάνανε και μερδικό,
τον κακό τ’ς ψυχρό τ’ς καιρό.
*κολοκ’θένιος τύμπανος: Όσο είναι «τύμπανο» μια κολοκύθα τόσο είναι χορός ο χορός του συγκεκριμένου Κακλαμάνη
This is a teasing song which also initiates young boys into their virtually inevitable fate. The Kaklamans must be members of a family or clan, named Kaklamanis.
Domna Samiou taped the song in Trikeri, Magnesia, sung by Dimitrios Phalkis, in 1976. Here we hear the original recording, after the addition of percussion instruments made in a studio in 2001.
It is a local song that was sung and danced by the fishermen “where they cooked the octopuses” but also during the Carnival period.
Trikeri, Magnesia. 1976.
© Domna Samiou Archive
