Koukkoumas is celebrated on May 2nd in the forecourt of Ayios Athanasios in Chorio. In olden days Koukkoumas took place in all the neighbourhoods on Symi, when the nubile girls or korai as they are called would see the man they will marry. On the evening before Koukkoumas, a girl whose parents are alive takes 'silent water', (which is water collected without a word being spoken). The water is collected from seven houses in a vessel known as 'koukkoumari'. It is essential that in all of the seven houses the housewife be called Rinaki (Irene). Afterwards, all the girls throw their rings into the koukkoumari containing the 'silent water', and cover it with a red cloth, tie it with red ribbon, place a key on top and take the koukkoumari on to the roof for the stars to see it. The next day, May 2nd, after Mass, the girls prepare food, usually yiapakia - stuffed vine leaves, and a pie made with a lot of salt added and 'silent water'. They then take their places around it and sing a Byzantine melody, beating their hands on the sini. After singing the song, they remove the basil, and a girl whose parents are living takes the rings one by one from the koukkoumari, at the same time saying a male name. Next they eat the salty pie and begin to dance to the accompaniment of musicians.....................................................
