Botides Easter Custom | Corfu | The Flying and Smashing Claypots of Resurrection

Author

George Papadellis | SG Head

Botides is one of Corfu Easter celebrations that takes place on the day of the "Early Resurrection", during which the Corfiotes throw down large clay pots (named botides - Corfu Easter Pot Throwing) to smash on the street pavement. The pots have a narrow spout and two handles on the side, they are tied with red ribbons and they are filled with water, while the balconies and windows of the houses in the old town are decorated with a red cloth.

Claypot Ready to be Thrown at Botides Custom - Easter on Corfu - Photo by: ID 147098519 © Vasilis Ververidis | Dreamstime.com

Origins of Botides

The custom is celebrated only in Easter Corfu and has its roots in the Venetian years of the occupation of the island. At that times, the Venetian Catholics used to brake the old pitchers on New Year's Eve, as a "tax" to the new year, in order to bring them more and new goods to their home.

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The Orthodox Corfiots adopted the custom and transferred it to Easter (the Venetians did not allow night celebrations, thus it became a noon custom).

Botides Ready for the Custom - Easter in Corfu - Photo by: iStock.com | MikePax

Symbolism

There are also assumptions that Corfu Easter Pot Throwing anticipates the Resurrection of Jesus, celebrated that same night, to commemorate King David's phrase: "Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel" (Psalm 2:9). In both cases, the breaking of the pots symbolizes the removal of misfortune, which is why even today the people of Corfu and many visitors of the island take the pieces of the broken "booties" to their homes, to bring them good luck and prosperity.

Pavement with Smashed and Falling Botides - Greek Easter in Corfu - Photo by: ID 67380128 © Michael Paschos | Dreamstime.com

Burst of Botides

The custom starts at 11 o' clock in the morning, with the signal of the first Resurrection and when the Metropolitan sings "The God Resurrected, Judging the Earth". The bells of all the churches of the city start ringing joyfully and the residents start throwing the claypots from their balconies or windows. As soon as the custom is completed, the Philharmonic Orchestras start walking in the streets of the city again, playing the song "Don't be afraid Greeks".

Corfu Easter Traditions are unique.

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