• Hellenic Republic • Prefecture of Drama

The area of Drama is steeped in rich musical tradition that is still a vibrant part of modern life. Song and dance dominates every social and festive celebration accompanied by musicians who have a great deal to offer society. And it is the presence of musical instruments that help make both melody and song a living part of the framework surrounding traditional, social life.

The main traditional instruments in the area are the bagpipe (an instrument known since ancient times), the lyre and the tabor.
Up until recently the bagpipe was the main instrument used to provide melody in the villages of Drama, it being absolutely essential at weddings, parties and various social events.
Today the bagpipe continues to play a dynamic role in events in Kali Vrysi as well as Volakas, Mikropoli, Petrousa and Prosotsani. Its sound is well loved and is accompanied by tabors.

The types of lyre which prevail in the area are a) the purely local lyre which is a variation on the pear-shaped type lyre so well-known throughout Greece, b) the Thracian lyre - pear-shaped, too - but which is played in a different way and c) the Pontian lyre - known as the "Kementzes", with a bottle-shaped re-sonator.
The first type is common today in Monastiraki, Xiropotamos, Petrousa and Pyrgi and is accompanied by the sound of tabors.
The Thracian lyre is to be heard in areas where refugees from Eastern Thrace have settled such as the village of Kalambaki and in particular in Mavrolefki where its presence together with the tabor is an essential part of the Kaloyeros ritual and the Anastenaria celebrations.

The kementzes is usually to be found in Argyroupoli, Mavrovato, Paranesti and Sitagri where there are many refugees from The Pontus.
The clarinet, the well-known wind instrument with its sharp, piercing and yet sweet sound, is also famous in the area of Drama, particularly in Doxato and Horisti.

In olden times, the recorder pipe, the renowned shepherding instrument, was widely played in the area, it usually being made of reed. However, some recorders were also made from the bones of eagles and these were renowned for their wonderful sound.
A further instrument common in the area is the comb, which is formed by placing tabacco paper over a comb that is then blown so as to resemble the clarinet.