Cyprus-Forum.com

[The Cypriot]

While I accept and am happy to embrace the various and enriching elements of Cypriot heritage emanating from different parts of the near East – areas now incorporated into what is called modern Greece (and indeed modern Turkey) – as a Cypriot, I am equally proud of other elements of the island's unique culture, elements closer to home and beyond the shores of either of these two nations.

As a Cypriot, I see no reason to play down these elements, nor to subsume them into a wider Hellenic/Turkic culture, in order to convince myself, or the world (who frankly doesn't care) who I am.


Here are a few famous examples:

Afrodhidi (Aphrodite) whose origins are Astarte, the Phoenician (also Hebrew) Goddess of love and fertility, later adopted into early Greek religious beliefs.

Ayos Varnavas (Saint Barnabas) the Cypriot-born Jewish prophet who, together with Saint Paul is said to have converted Lucius Sergius Paullus (the then Roman Proconsul of Cyprus) to Christianity, making it the first Christian run country.

Flauna (Flaouna) an Easter cheese cake, not know in Greece or Turkey, the entymology of which is uncertain but possibly Frankish (old French, flaon).

Guba (kouba) deep-fried cracked wheat parcel of mincemeat, not known in either Greece or Turkey, the entymology of which is uncertain but thought to be Levantine in origin.

Gubebi (Koubebi) Cypriot form of Dolmades/Dolma (neither of which contain meat), a vineleave parcel of rice and mincemeat, the entymology of which is uncertain but thought to be Levantine in origin.

Gumandaria (Commanderia) sweet dessert wine, produced originally by the Knights Templar (who bought the island in the 12th century) and named after their military headquarters in Limassol. Gumandaria was marketed throughout Europe and was history's first named brand of wine.

Hallumin (Halloumi, Hellim, Hallum), the ubiquitous traditional Cypriot cheese but with origins in the Levant. The word Hallum (Hallom) is now accepted to be Coptic (ancient Egyptian) in origin and means cheese.

Othello a play about the fictional Venetian King of Cyprus written by British bard William Shakespeare. The play itself is based on the Italian short story 'Un Capitano Moro' (A Moorish Captain).

Sheftalia (Shefalia, Seftali) traditional Cypriot sausage, a type of crepinette (wrapped in caul fat) possibly Frankish in origin.

Zeno born in Citium (ancient Larnaca) son of a Phoenician (modern day Palestine/Israel) merchant and founder of the Stoic school of philosphy.

Zivania (Zivana) traditional Cypriot spirit made from distilled grape residue, the origins of which go back to the 14th century and Venetian rule.

Perhaps others may like to add to this list.


What's sad is that, far from embracing these uniquely Cypriot elements, some forumers will no doubt try and convince me (and themselves) that some of them are actually Greek (or Turkish).

Oh well, Rome wasn't built in a day, and Nicosia wasn't rebuilt in a day either.

[Paphitis]

Who said we don't embrace our uniquely Cypriot characteristics?

But embracing our unique Cypriot characteristics should have nothing to do with discarding our Hellenic Ethnicity and Inheritance.

Most Greek Islands such as Crete, Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Milos Kerkira, etc etc also have their unique characteristics and culture, but they are still Hellenes and so are the Cypriots.

[The Cypriot]

We? Who are you speaking for, Paphiti?

And who said anything about discarding ANY element of our ethnicity and culture. It's Turkey's army that has done that in the north.

[The Cypriot]

And not all Cypriots are Hellenes or choose to describe themselves as such.

Ayos Varnavas was Jewish
Zeno of Citium was Phoenician.

Are they not Cypriots?

[Paphitis]

We? Who are you speaking for, Paphiti?

And who said anything about discarding ANY element of our ethnicity and culture. It's Turkey's army that has done that in the north.

Glad to hear you do not subscribe to GR!s stupidity.

The "we" I refer to includes the overwhelming majority of Greek Cypriots, yourself included.

We all know that it is Turkey that is trying to erase Hellenism from the island because Cyprus would then become easy pickings for her in the future. Mind you, Turkey has succeeded in erasing all traces of Hellenism and Cypriot culture in the occupied north.

[Paphitis]

And not all Cypriots are Hellenes or choose to describe themselves as such.

Ayos Varnavas was Jewish
Zeno of Citium was Phoenician.

Are they not Cypriots?

Naturally they are Cypriot.

We have Armenian Cypriots, Latin Cypriots, and Maronite Cypriots as well.

But the issue here is that some people seem to think that any Cypriot that identifies themselves of Hellenic extraction is automatically categorised as a Juntist supporting anti Cyprus ultra nationalist. Some members have even embarked on a campaign to discredit and ridicule Greece. This makes me very angry.

I don't live in Cyprus and I have travelled pretty much all over the world and I have even been to Turkey, and I have never seen a nation disgrace it's own heritage and nationalism as much as Cypriots. Even the names of fallen heroes are disrespected by certain sections of the Cypriot community.

[The Cypriot]

We all know that it is Turkey that is trying to erase Hellenism from the island because Cyprus would then become easy pickings for her in the future. Mind you, Turkey has succeeded in erasing all traces of Hellenism and Cypriot culture in the occupied north.

Paphiti, It's not just elements of Hellenism that Turkey's army has tried to wipe out in the north. It's all aspects of our island's rich and wonderful culture, Christianity, the Maronites, the Armenians; and indigenous Cypriots of Muslim extraction are discouraged from speaking Gibrizlija and from taking pride in their Cypriot heritage... It's scandelous. But just because that's what Turkey is doing, we must work extra hard to keep all aspects of our island's culture alive. For future generations. And for humanity.

[Paphitis]

We all know that it is Turkey that is trying to erase Hellenism from the island because Cyprus would then become easy pickings for her in the future. Mind you, Turkey has succeeded in erasing all traces of Hellenism and Cypriot culture in the occupied north.

Paphiti, It's not just elements of Hellenism that Turkey's army has tried to wipe out in the north. It's all aspects of our island's rich and wonderful culture, Christianity, the Maronites, the Armenians; and indigenous Cypriots of Muslim extraction are discouraged from speaking Gibrizlija and from taking pride in their Cypriot heritage... It's scandelous. But just because that's what Turkey is doing, we must work extra hard to keep all aspects of our island's culture alive. For future generations. And for humanity.

That's what I said! Have another read of what I posted:

We all know that it is Turkey that is trying to erase Hellenism from the island because Cyprus would then become easy pickings for her in the future. Mind you, Turkey has succeeded in erasing all traces of Hellenism and Cypriot culture in the occupied north.

[The Cypriot]

But the issue here is that some people seem to think that any Cypriot that identifies themselves of Hellenic extraction is automatically categorised as a Juntist supporting anti Cyprus ultra nationalist. Some members have even embarked on a campaign to discredit and ridicule Greece. This makes me very angry.

I don't live in Cyprus and I have travelled pretty much all over the world and I have even been to Turkey, and I have never seen a nation disgrace it's own heritage and nationalism as much as Cypriots. Even the names of fallen heroes are disrespected by certain sections of the Cypriot community.

I think we need to be very careful with our words, Paphiti. When you say Cypriots are Hellenes you neglect and insult our minorities (including Cypriots of Muslim extraction), you neglect incredibly important aspects of our island's heritage. In short, you inadvertantly do the same as what Turkey's army has done in the north.

You are a proud Cypriot, and I know you don't do it with any malice. But, in the name of unity for our island, please be careful.

[The Cypriot]

We all know that it is Turkey that is trying to erase Hellenism from the island because Cyprus would then become easy pickings for her in the future. Mind you, Turkey has succeeded in erasing all traces of Hellenism and Cypriot culture in the occupied north.

Paphiti, It's not just elements of Hellenism that Turkey's army has tried to wipe out in the north. It's all aspects of our island's rich and wonderful culture, Christianity, the Maronites, the Armenians; and indigenous Cypriots of Muslim extraction are discouraged from speaking Gibrizlija and from taking pride in their Cypriot heritage... It's scandelous. But just because that's what Turkey is doing, we must work extra hard to keep all aspects of our island's culture alive. For future generations. And for humanity.

That's what I said! Have another read of what I posted:

We all know that it is Turkey that is trying to erase Hellenism from the island because Cyprus would then become easy pickings for her in the future. Mind you, Turkey has succeeded in erasing all traces of Hellenism and Cypriot culture in the occupied north.

No, I did notice that....