pontiandiaspora

[pontiandiaspora]

(Image description: Drawing of Pontian man in zipka holding gun, staring into the distance.) Depiction of a Pontian guerrilla by Christos Giannopoulos.

Today, May 19th, we remember the Greek genocide.

We remember those who were forced from their homes, those who fled, and those who were killed in the same cities and towns where their families had lived for thousands of years.

We remember Pontian women who were abducted, raped, or forced into marriage.

We remember Pontian children who were orphaned.

We remember men who were sent to labor camps.

We remember families broken apart.

We remember those who resisted genocide and tried to defend their homes.

I remember my ancestors, those members of my family, who were killed. I hope the Turkish government will eventually acknowledge its wrongdoings and make recompense to the victims’ descendants. I hope to preserve Romeika and all Pontian cultural traditions for future generations. I hope we can all find peace.

[pontiandiaspora]

in need of voluntary translators for urgent aid to earthquake survivors in turkey and syria

translators without borders has made a call for volunteers that speak the languages of the affected regions to help aid in humanitarian relief.

if you speak at least two of these languages:

Arabic

Aramaic

Armenian

Chechen

Circassian (Cherkess)

Georgian

Greek

English

French

Kurdish Kurmanji

Turkish

Zazaki (Zaza)

please sign up to volunteer. we really need all the help we can get.

[pontiandiaspora]

“Beginning of the Twentieth Century. A Greek Pontian farmer’s house in the village” by Christos Demarchou, Pontian artist from Giresun.

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“Inside of a Pontian farmer’s house” by Christos Demarchou, Pontian artist from Giresun.

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“The traditional tables” by Christos Demarchou, Pontian artist from Giresun.

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“Preparations for the children” by Christos Demarchou, Pontian artist from Giresun.

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“Daily duties for the whole family” by Christos Demarchou, Pontian artist from Giresun.

Women made flatbread and pastries on a satz (sajj) over open flame.

[pontiandiaspora]

“The hard work of cleanliness was a main duty of the whole family” by Christos Demarchou, Pontian artist from Giresun.

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“The dance was a basic for the family’s life. The lyraris and pyrrichios dancers” by Christos Demarchou, Pontian artist from Giresun.

[pontiandiaspora]

“The touloumtsis, zournatsis, and daoultsis” by Christos Demarchou, Pontian artist from Giresun.

Music has always been a big part of Pontian life. The only thing missing is the kemenche!

[pontiandiaspora]

“Icons and iconostasi in a Greek Pontian house. The Greek Pontians were always religious and devoted Christians” by Christos Demarchou, Pontian artist from Giresun.

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“The family is preparing for the long and hard winter” by Christos Demarchou, Pontian artist from Giresun.

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“A traditional wedding” by Christos Demarchou, Pontian artist from Giresun.

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“Preparations for the future of a young girl” by Christos Demarchou, Pontian artist from Giresun.

Young brides traditionally moved into the homes of their husbands’ families. They brought large dowries to support the household.

[pontiandiaspora]

“The young bride” by Christos Demarchou, Pontian artist from Giresun.

[pontiandiaspora]

“The bridal procession,” by Christos Demarchou, Pontian artist from Giresun.

[pontiandiaspora]

“Prior to 1922. Dresses of Greek women in Pontos” by Christos Demarchou, Pontian artist from Giresun.