File:POS TO TRIVUN TO PIPERI.jpg

English: This renowned Carnival song blends magic and humor, evoking laughter and high spirits. Accompanying a slow men’s dance, it features ceremonial movements mimicked by the group. The leader initiates the song, echoed by others. Upon mention of "grinding pepper," dancers imitate corresponding actions. The first man supervises, correcting with a stick or belt. The symbolism is evident. (Miranda Terzopoulou, 1994)

The phrase "how to grind pepper" traces back to the Byzantine era and monks. Monasteries, now trading for pepper, faced difficulties due to its irritating properties. To alleviate this, they employed boys to grind it in mortars. Misbehaving monks were tasked with this labor, leading to the phrase's use as a form of punishment.

Lyrics: "How do they grind, good shepherdess, how do they grind the pepper,
how do they grind the pepper, those diabolic monks? With the knee, good shepherdess, they grind it with the knee,
with the knee they grind it, and they grind it fine. Ho there! Arise, intrepid lads,
with swords and scimitars in hand! With their nose they grind it, and they grind it fine.
... ... ... With their tongue they grind it, and they grind it fine.
... ... ... With their arse they grind it, and they grind it fine.
... ... ... With their cock they grind it, and they grind it fine.
... ... ..."

In some traditional interpretations of the dance accompanying the song about grinding pepper, there may be symbolic gestures involving a stick or belt used by the leader to "correct" dancers who do not follow the choreography correctly. However, it's important to understand that this is typically done in a playful or ritualistic manner and not as a literal act of punishment. The use of the stick or belt is more about maintaining the structure of the dance and ensuring participants stay in sync with the movements rather than inflicting harm.