Syko - fig | Cyprus Food Museum

Cypriots consume fresh figs, dried figs, fig jam, spoon sweets and sykopitta.

Name - Origin

Cypriot name of food

Σύκο. Syko.

Greek name - description

Σύκο

Language remarks

Figs belong to the Figus carica L family. Those figs that have a similar colour to eggplants (in Cypriot: vazánia) were called vazanáta, while others which are large, sweet and white are known as tillyrisima (from Tillyria area). There are also large pearshaped figs and small green ones and also large with brown streaks. Dried figs in Cyprus are called pastósyka (Roussounidis 1988, 150).

Processing method

Pastósyka are dried figs described in detail under the entries: (a) Maxilles Lysou and (b) Syka Tillyrias in the Foods section.

Those figs with aubergine colour are used to make spoon sweets. Search for the recipe 'Spoon sweets - fig' in the Traditional recipes section.

Fig jam is served in a traditional Cypriot breakfast (together with freshly baked bread and anarí cheese). Search for the recipe ‘Fig jam' in the Traditional recipes section.

Sykópitta is another traditional preparation with figs. Search for ‘Sykopitta' in the Traditional recipes section

Functional and symbolic role

Nutritional Value and Importance in the Diet of Cypriots

Cypriots consume fresh figs in the summer months and dried figs throughout the year. Figs are also used to make jam and spoon sweets, which in the past were served to house guests. Sykopitta was made in Cyprus since the Byzantine era (Roussounidis 1988, 150-151).

Festive Occasions

In Astromeritis village, in the Nicosia district, people used to make sykopittes (pl. of sykopitta) around the 15th of August (Roussounidis 1988, 150).

In the old days, if a pregnant woman had difficulties giving birth due to the placenta, her navel would be anointed with white fig juice (Roussounidis 1988, 153).

In the region of Tillyria, after the wedding ceremony, people would 'throw' to the newlyweds almonds, rice, coins and figs (Roussounidis 1988, 156).

In many places, the New Year's Eve table that was prepared for Ayios Vassilis (Santa Claus) included figs (Roussounidis 1988, 158).

Symbolic uses

Figs symbolise fertility and euphoria, hence, they were used on New Year's Day and in wedding ceremonies.

Additional information and bibliography

Time period

19th - 21st c

Supplementary Information

A resident of Palaichori: “We used to collect the figs, dry them and store them for the winter” (Psillita-Ioannou 2010, 103).

In the past, figs were believed to heal pathological conditions, such as viper bites, rabies and sore throat (Rousounidis 1988, 167-168).

Bibliography

Roussounidis A. Ch. (1988) Δένδρα στην ελληνική λαογραφία με ειδική αναφορά στην Κύπρο, vol, A. Publications of the Centre for Scientific Research, XIII, Nicosia.

Psilita-Ioannou P. (2010), Παλαιχώρι: Ιστορία και Πολιτισμός, Platypus Publishing, Athens.

Researcher/Recorder

Demetra Demetriou, Savvas Polyviou, Tonia Ioakim, Argyro Xenophontos

Photos