Fig-tree
Man was not always thinking and perceiving the world around by the same way. There have been periods in the past when personal conscience and perception of “ego” did not exist. Our distant ancestors were living in a magic world, in a world which was “more childish”.
Trees, animals and physical phenomenon were not objects to be studied, but beings and events of a fascinating world in which man was also participating. Man’s spirit could reach easily to a point, which many people today are trying to reach by using various techniques or plant-hallucinogens.
During those distant fascinating periods the fig-tree kept a main ritualistic and mystical role. The fig-tree is one of the first trees which man cultivated on earth (7.000 b.C. in Jericho. It is the first tree mentioned in the Bible. According to Greek mythology the fig-tree is related to events and gods which prove its infernal origin, while in India it is considered as a holy tree.
There are many references in the Greek mythology for the Fig-tree. The more direct report of the fig-tree in the “infernal origin” is found in the battle of Titans. The passing from the era of the infernal gods to the era of sun-gods was not easy. The battles lasted many years – nine, according to the myth – between the allies of Zeus (Cyclops, Hundred-handed) and the Titans, allies of Saturn. Finally the Titans were sank deep in the earth, in the dark Tartara. Zeus was the victor of the battle. All were sank in the earth, except one: Sykeas. He came up in the light having the form of a Fig-tree.
According to another myth, the Fig-tree owes its existence to Dionysos. It was worshipped as a tree belonging to Dionysos and to Priapus. Here are two mythical personalities of the same era when Zeus was worshipped, but directly related to the “infernal” energy for reproduction, fertility and the eternal flow of nature.
According to a third version, the Fig-tree was offered as a gift by Demeter to the people living in Attica, where Demeter had resorted when she was grieving for the carrying away of Persephone by Pluto.
The particular relation of the Fig-tree to the “gods” of earth, to dust, to water, to mud, is clearly shown in its form. Its wood is grey, the same color of stones, it is porous and it is not burned easily. It is moist and is totally resin-free. The Fig-tree bears in periods of big drought, as it keeps humidity in its wood.
The Fig-tree produces a kind of milk instead of resin. The milk of fig-tree is lightly caustic and causes itching and irritation. The roots of the fig-tree are turned to the humid and dark ground while its trunke, leaves, flower and fruits are turned to air and sun.
The fig-tree has no buds which bloom, nor has it any colorful flowers in order to attract the insects, to be fertilized and make fruits. The fig-tree blooms “inside”. The small inflated sachets, the figs, which are full of stamens, small seeds and juice, if not collected, they attract the insects due to their sweetness. Then, they rot and fall in the ground.
The time when we should collect figs is August. My memories from the collection of figs are usually joint to the infinitive descriptions of my grandmother. In older times, during the decade of 50s, at the time of figs’ collection, rich people in Skopelos used to order women workers to collect figs from their immense fields. They were collecting the figs early in the morning, then they were leaving them in the sun, they were putting them in panniers, and in order to avoid any worms they scalded them with water which was aromatized with oregano, laurel and fennel. After that, they were drying the figs and they were putting them in big cartons together with laurel leaves, which smell exceptionally.
The fig-trees are “easy” trees, as they sprout everywhere, even in precipices or stony ground, while we meet wild fig-trees even in areas very close to the sea.
There are many fields with fig-trees in all over Skopelos, but the most famous are those of “Vardiola” and “Ambeliki”. It is worth to visit “Ambeliki” in order to see the ruins of the temple of Asklipium built in 4th century b.C. My grandmother has described to me the fascinating image of Ambeliki when the fields were full of colors from the headdresses which the girls were wearing in order to be protected by the burning sun, while collecting figs.
The fig-trees in these areas are big trees which lean towards the South, because the wind blows strongly from the North. Some fig-trees give black-figs, being dark and soft, while some others give white figs, which are shiny and have a light-green color.
But most of all I like dry figs. They are sweet like honey, aromatic like the finest perfume, and satisfying like the most delicious food. I open the fig in the middle so that the stalk can keep the two pieces together, I put an almond or a walnut inside, I close the fig and I eat it slowly-slowly!
Tags: mama mia, mama mia island, mamma mia, mamma mia island, skopelos
