: Koulouma (Clean Monday) – First day of Lent Feast
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On Monday 2 March the Hellenic communities of Port Elizabeth and Durban celebrated “Koulouma” (Clean Monday). The celebration of “Koulouma” is celebrated in Greece on the first day of Lent. It is a “catharsis” after the merry-making. The Church now enters into the Passion of the Lord.
In Durban the Festive Maypole dance “Gaitanaki” was included in their celebration.
The traditional ‘Lagana” which is a flat-bread baked only on Clean Monday and meals are usually eaten outdoors. People wish each other “Good Lent” and the children fly kites. Reference- Greeks in a festive mood. Aristotle University – Institute of Modern Greek studies