Today, I’m starting a series called Minoan Mantinada of the Month, where I’ll share a Minoan-inspired mantinada in both Greek and English at the start of each month (alliteration semi-intended). I’ll implement the Cretan Greek dialect at times, but because I’m fairly rusty, that won’t always be the case. I figure it’s a unique way to get a glimpse of Minoan life that unites the ancient and modern Cretan cultures.

A mantinada (μαντινάδα: “morning song”) is a Cretan-style folk poem that’s usually recited with the backing of a lyra or laouto. It’s comprised of a rhyming couplet with two 15-syllable lines. However, I’ll be writing the English translation in 10-syllable lines to avoid overly long lines. And it’s important to know that the meaning may vary a bit due to translation limitations while also needing to adhere to a rhyme.

An Aspiring Sailor’s Dream

Original Greek Version:

Δελφίνια με συνοδεύουν και ο Νότος ευλογεί
το μοναδικό μου όνειρο από μικρό παιδί:

να σύρω τα δυό μου πόδια στις ακτές της Αιγύπτου
αν η Θεά το επιτρέψει, όπως τον μπαμπά μου.

Transliteration:

Delfínia me synodévoun kai o Nótos evlogeí
to monadikó mou óneiro apó mikró paidí:

na sýro ta dyó mou pódia stis aktés tis Aigýptou
an i Theá to epitrépsei, ópos ton babá mou.

English Translation:

Dolphins escort me and Notos _{(south wind)} decrees
my one and only childhood reverie:

for these two soles to tread on Egypt’s sand,
if Goddess wills it, just as my dad had.

Note: This Cretan folk poem is about a Minoan sailor’s first time at sea on his first trade expedition who always dreamed of what Egypt would be like. He is so eager that it feels like both the sea creatures and wind are conspiring for him (and hopefully the Goddess too). He is honored to walk in his father’s footsteps and feels closer to him as a result.