Karpathos Islander Wedding, Kew Gardens, NY, 1991

After Faye has knelt to her parents for a blessing, she leaves with her brother for the nuptials. A friend with a pitcher, chosen because she has living parents, pours water on the door sill for good luck.

Katrina Thomas's notes: Greek-Americans from a mountainous island in the Dodecanese began to emigrate to the U.S. in 1965, retaining ties to their villages to which they regularly return. In both the land of their ancestors and in America, they keep time-honored customs of music and dance. On the wedding morning, in the homes of both bride and groom, for many hours male friends and relatives sing original lyrics, honoring each family. The verses are accompanied by traditional instruments, the lyra, its five wire strings plucked, and a lauoto, its three strings, played with a bow. Later, at the wedding reception, after the hired band leaves, a trio of friends plays these instruments, often adding a bagpipe, known as a tsambouna, to perform dance music until early morning.