The focus keyword, itinerant poets, encapsulates a unique part of Cyprus’ cultural heritage. In the rich tapestry of Cypriot tradition, the ‘poiitarides’, or itinerant poets, hold a significant place, weaving narratives through song. Nicoletta Demetriou, a passionate advocate for this tradition, describes ‘poiitarika’—the body of work created by these poets—as long narrative songs akin to the ballads of the Anglo-American tradition.
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
Introduced to Cyprus in 1878, coinciding with British rule, printing allowed the ‘poiitarika’ to flourish. These songs, often reflecting local events such as crimes or accidents, were performed in village coffeeshops and fairs. The itinerant poets would recite snippets of their narratives, leaving audiences in suspense, prompting them to purchase printed versions to discover the full story.
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
Nicoletta, who directs the Cyprus Music Archive (CMA), highlights the surprising longevity of this profession. The last known itinerant poet, Andreas Mappouras from Aradippou, passed away in 1997, marking the end of an era.
The CMA, a non-profit organisation founded in 2022, aims to digitally preserve Cypriot musical traditions. Nicoletta, an ethnomusicologist, is driven by a passion to safeguard this cultural heritage, creating an archive that includes songs and interviews. She envisions a digital library that will encourage families to contribute their own recordings, preventing the loss of valuable musical history.
Cypriot music, traditionally played at weddings, has deep roots, often performed with instruments like the fiddle, laouto, zournas, and davul. However, for much of Cypriot history, these instruments were scarce, resulting in simpler musical expressions at celebrations. The introduction of recorded music in the 20th century was met with resistance from musicians, who feared that recordings would replace live performances.
It wasn’t until 1934 that commercial discs of Cypriot music emerged, with the first field recordings following in 1953. Nicoletta recalls that by the early 1990s, traditional music had already begun to fade from popularity, predominantly attracting older audiences and children brought along by their grandparents.
With the CMA, Nicoletta aims to collect oral histories and music that might otherwise be lost. Her earlier work, ‘The Cyprus Fiddler’, documented the lives of elderly musicians, revealing the vital role music played in Cypriot society. Musicians were not merely entertainers; they facilitated cultural rituals, from weddings to agricultural practices, infusing everyday life with meaning.
Nicoletta’s experience with traditional music is deeply personal. Growing up in refugee housing after the invasion of Cyprus, she felt a connection to the music that linked her to her family’s past. Today, as younger generations rediscover their cultural roots, the CMA emerges as a beacon for those seeking to understand their identity.
Despite the enthusiasm surrounding the CMA, Nicoletta faces challenges in securing long-term funding to sustain the archive. Initial support came from a US embassy programme, but funding dwindled post-2016. Recently, the deputy ministry of culture has offered assistance, particularly with educational initiatives, but financial stability remains a concern as the archive continues to grow.
Nicoletta points out the irony that many traditional songs revolve around love and relationships, particularly unrequited love, much like her own dedication to the CMA—a project born from passion but often overlooked. Yet, her excitement is palpable as she shares snippets from the emerging library, eager to unite people through music in a land marked by division.
Through her efforts, Nicoletta aims to preserve the stories of musicians like Theodoulos Kallinikos, who contributed significantly to Cypriot music history but may be forgotten by younger generations. As the CMA works to digitise these archives, Nicoletta reflects on the importance of cultural preservation, especially in an era where history can easily slip into obscurity.
