Tsarouchi and its evolution in Greek History

As we watch the Evzones of the Greek presidential guard, we admire their imposing appearance. A very impressive element of their uniform is undoubtedly their unique footwear named tsarouhi, which may be termed even more simply as a shoe. 

However It is interesting to see how this tsarouhi shoe evolved into being a part of modern Greek history.

At the time when Constantinople was conquered by the Turks, the shoes worn by the Greeks were of two types, both simple and with a hard leather sole. The first was a type of sandal, consisting of a leather sole extended by a strap attached to the calf of the leg, ensuring that all this would not fall apart.

 

The other type of shoe was fastened and enfolded the entire lower leg. Schematically we could compare it with what we call today “closed type slipper”. This slipper or, in fact, shoe as most of us realize it today, was made entirely of masterfully sewn leather, usually piggy and with a very extremely hard sole. It is noteworthy that, in addition to the Greeks of the Balkans and Asia Minor, the same shoe was worn by the majority of all other ethnicities, Christians or Muslims, living in these areas.

The Turks called this shoe carik (tsarik) or, caruk (tsaruk), hence the common transition of this term to tsarouhi. Tsarouhi were the everyday shoes of work but also of social attire. Over time they began to undergo some modifications that were intended, on the one hand to make them more practical in the performance of the various activities of those who wore them and on the other hand, whenever such a need arose, to become more elaborate, giving them the required glamor, compatible to the persons who wore them.

 

Ordinary farmers or shepherds wore the simplest and most coarse form of tsarouchi. Over time,  a woolen tassel began to be added on the top of the front finishing of this shoe, while the shape of its sole in its frontal part became slightly curved upwards. The addition of the tassel was intended to keep the toes warm, protecting them from frostbite when the procession took place on snowy ground. At the same time, the upwards curvature of the tsarouhi front prevented the person wearing it,from sinking into the snow, or mud while walking. On the other hand, if the ground happened to be dry, this schematic peculiarity made it advantageous, providing better support during the stepping on the uneven countryside surfaces,and especially on the mountain passes.

 

Thus, with the curvature of the front and the addition of the tassel, the shoe known to us as tsarouhi emerged, which in that form was worn by everyone, at least at times when it was socially imperative to be properly dressed, such as official religious holidays and festivals. .

 

The tsarouhi tassel turned out to be black for adults, while the children had tassels of various happier colors.

Another application of the tassel was invented by the armatoli and kleftes (as the Greek rebels against the Turkish rule used to be called). In particular, clusters of small protruding sharp blades were camouflaged inside a tassel. As a result a major blow could be caused by a kick in the abdomen, just to mention a possible application for such a modified tsarouhi tassel. Its importance as a last resort during a fight can be realized if we try to imagine a battle scene of that time. After the initial firing, when the only bullet that the rifle (had the possibility to be loaded with at that time) was fired, there did not exist more time for it to be reloaded by a second one. As a result, what followed was a body-to-body engagement, a struggle based on physical strength, but also on the remaining weapons, i.e. the sword and the auxiliary tassel of the tsarouhi. So this tassel of concealed blades, which others described as a tassel with nails, could sometimes be able on its own, to neutralize the opponent after a decisive kick.

 

There did exist various types of tsarouhi. Some were very simple in their construction while others were more elaborate. However they always corresponded to the rest of the costume appearance of the person who wore them, always depending on its financial capabilities and social standing.

 

Those who had the ability to match their tsarouhi shoes with the splendor of the rest of their uniform, had them intricately embroidered with fine metal threads, sometimes even gold. As for the color of the tsarouhi, it could have different shades, however the prevailing colour was what most at that time considered to be the most impressive one, which was red,  and therefore chosen by most of the armatoli and kleftes, and generally all the other warlords and warriors of the Greek revolution era of 1821 against the Turkish yoke.

 

The tsarouhi shoes were worn by all Greeks in rural and pastoral areas until at least the end of the 19th century, after which they began to be gradually replaced by Western-style, or Frankish (the Greek term for Western-style), footwear as people called them.

 

At present time all Greek youngsters have seen by their own eyes (live or on television) the amazing evzones, who guard the monument of the Unknown Soldier and the presidential palace.

 

The uniform they wear allows them to bring back into their minds their heroic warrior ancestors, to whom they owe their existence  as free Greeks of today.

 

Their whole appearance refers to the heroic era of 1821.

 

Perhaps the only exception to all this is, the somewhat more modern rifle they carry, which is not what the fighters at the time called cariofili, paraphrase of Carlo e fili, name of a famous Venetian muskets producer workshop of the 18th century.   

 

But everything else that they wear is a replica of that period, namely the fustanella (typical pleat skirt), the fario (hat), the shirt with its characteristic tapered sleeves, the fermeli (vest), the cartridge cases, the socks, the garters, and the red leather tsarouchi shoes with their black tassels . These tassels, however, no longer hide the blade clusters, since the evzones use these costumes only on ritual events.

 

We as fenalie for our part have crafted the wooden handmade tsarouhi eye in various colors. The concept of the eye that is on a tsarouhi is twofold. On the one hand, it protects us from the vascania, that is, the evil eye (i.e. malevolent stare) of those who are negatively inclined towards us, while, on the other hand, its tassel (which supposedly has the sharp blades camouflaged inside it) allows us to kick back and away from us, towards the direction of that person, all that have resulted from him, or her, by being prone to staring us malevolently, holding malicious conversations, actions, or thoughts against us.

 

Alternatively, we have combined the same tsarouhi with the addition of our 2021 accessory, to add to the above properties the anticipation of a better new year.

 

Our third alternation for the above tsarouchi is the addition of our component 1821-1921 through which we add to all the above our wish and certainty for the future prosperity of the Greek Nation, on the occasion of the completion of the 200 years since its revolution of 1821.

 

See our anniversary tsarouhi charm of the 200 years of liberation here.