We Are Few: Folklore and Ethnic Identity of the Jewish Community of Ioannina, Greece (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780739120613)

The Jewish community of Ioannina, in Northwestern Greece, traces its roots to Byzantine times if not earlier. In the early 20th century, at least half of the community's population emigrated to settle in Athens, Israel, and the United States because of economic and religious reasons. The cataclysm of the Holocaust dramatically decimated the community. This steady outward movement created an abrupt rupture of their patterns of traditional culture.

We are Few brings this unique community to life in a series of ethnographic sketches of history and traditional culture in order to understand its intense allegiance to ethnic identity. Dr. Annette Fromm explores the decreasing inventory of cultural traditions from the patterns of daily life to the rituals and customs associated with life cycle events and holiday celebrations. Through the periodic return of individuals associated with the Jews of Ioannina, pilgrims, a new avenue of the expression of ethnic identity has been created. These visits reassure residents that the Jewish community of Ioannina still exists no matter how dispersed. This study is useful for graduate level students and researchers of Anthropology and Jewish Studies.

Author: Annette B. Fromm
ISBN-10: 0739120611
ISBN-13: 9780739120613
Publisher: Lexington Books
Language: English
Published: 11/01/2007
Pages: 220
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.13lbs
Size: 9.05h x 6.37w x 0.89d

Review Citation(s):
Reference and Research Bk News 05/01/2008 pg. 63