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.
Mantinades (derived from the Venetian matinada: morning song) are Cretan folk poems/songs that consist of rhyming couplets at 15 syllables per line (called dekapentasyllabos) in a Cretan Greek dialect (mine’s a little rusty; I made do, though). Usually, one couplet can stand alone and they are improvised. But often being antiphonal in nature, a verse elicits a response, so the verses can be many. This poetic form initially appeared in Crete during the 15th century, which coincided with the period of Venetian rule over the island.
Seeing as the Greek and English languages differ a great deal, my translations will be 10 syllables per line and the meanings may vary somewhat to maintain a rhyme scheme.
During my summers in Crete, mantinades were recited at gatherings accompanied by the Cretan lyra and laouto or in everyday conversation. My γιαγιά (grandma) would often tell me a few that her mother passed down to her and so forth. She’d say them so many times that I remember some by heart. Here’s one of them that she’d recite when she’d wake up at dawn to take care of her animals and crops and was especially groggy:
Νυστάζω και κλονήζω και ποίος θα πάει στο μύλο; 《Άσου ρε κυρία και εγώ θα πάω στο μήλο!》 I’m exhausted. Who will go to the mill? “Stay put. I’ll go to th’orchard by the hill!”
Funnily enough, it took me until now to realize the true meaning behind it! I wondered why she’d use the exact same word for the “rhyme”, but she didn’t. There are two kinds of “milo” spelled slightly differently: a mill and an apple orchard. So basically, the person reciting this doesn’t really want to go to work but knows they have to. The other person who offers to help conveniently mishears, which further reiterates that no one is going to do their appointed job but themselves.
Minoan Woman Fresco Fragment. Photo Credit: Wolfgang Sauber
But you’re probably here for the Minoan-inspired poems! Here’s a modern-meets-ancient spin on classic mandinades…
Island Girl
Original Greek Version:
Ήντανε τούτο που ερχόντας απ’ μέρος μακρινό, που ξανοίγω με τα Θολωμένα μάτια μου τα δυό;
Θωρώ ματιά κρυστάλλινα σαν ηλιόλουστα νερά και ρούχα μπαλωμένα με κουρασμένα πρόσωπα.
Transliteration:
Íntane touto pou erchóntas ap’ méros makrinó, pou ksanígo me ta tholoména mátia mou ta dyó?
Thoró matiá krystállina san iliólousta nerá kai roúha baloména me kourasména prósopa.
English Translation:
What is this from such faraway isles that I observe with these eyes beguiled?
I see eyes crystalline like sunlit seas with weary faces and clothes frayed at seams.
*about a rich isolated Minoan girl seeing outsiders for the first time. Most Minoans being dark-haired with dark eyes and olive skin, seeing pale blue eyes would probably be quite the shock as well as clothing that isn’t as vibrant and elaborate as theirs.
Bedecked for Spring’s Blessings
Original Greek Version:
Φορώ τη καλύτερη μου φούστα με μπλέ φυλαχτό. Απόψε Η Θεά θα μας φέρει άνεμο θερμό.
Transliteration:
Foró tin kalýteri mou foústa me blé fylahtó. Apópse I Theá tha mas férei ánemo thermó.
English Translation:
I wear my best skirt with my blue pendant. Tonight, The Goddess will bring us warm wind.
*about a Minoan woman who dresses her best to attend the spring festival in order to ask The Goddess for the warm winds that will bring everything to life. The Minoans took pride in their sense of style in general, but they especially had to bedeck themselves during festivals and other important events out of respect.
Leaping in Secret
Original Greek Version:
Ξέφυγα κρυφά για ταυροκαθάψια το πρωί. Ευτυχώς η μαμά και γιαγιά δεν πήραν χαμπάρι!
Transliteration:
Kséfyga kryfá gia tavrokathápsia to proí. Eftychós i mamá kai yiayiá den píran habári!
English Translation:
I snuck away at dawn for bull-leaping. Good thing mom and grandma were still sleeping!
*about a Minoan girl who is secretly practicing bull-leaping against her family’s wishes. Inspired by the character Martis in In the Shadow of The Bull by Eleanor Kuhns. However, it’s important to note that sports were not limited to men only in Minoan society. Still, families presumably wished for their children to survive into adulthood and marry. Bull-leaping wasn’t exactly a safe sport…
An Enamored Girl’s Plea to the Goddess
Original Greek Version:
Αυτό το κουζουλό κοπέλι δεν κατέει πράγμα. Πάω σε κάθε απόδοση. Θεά, δως μου θαύμα!
Transliteration:
Aftó to ómorfo kopéli den katéei prágma. Páo se káthe apódosi. Theá, dos mou thávma!
English Translation:
This silly guy, the truth he doesn’t see. I attend all his gigs. Goddess, guide me!
*about a Minoan girl who is in love with a silly, clueless boy. He’s somehow still oblivious even though she’s been at every single bull-leaping performance he’s in. I’d imagine matters of the heart would be petitioned to The Goddess. These pieces really aren’t meant to be entirely historically accurate.
Minoan Magissa 