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Olive farming

Olive cultivation has been the main peasant farming activity on Crete throughout history, despite occasional lapses during rebellions.

The olive is both the staple food of peasant family life and an important source of income. Furthermore, it takes pride of place in religious ceremonies, following the cycle of human life from birth to death. Babies are anointed with oil at baptism, giving rise to the wish that "Whoever puts on the vine should also put on the oil", i.e. that the best man (or woman) who puts the wedding wreaths on the couple at their wedding should gain the privilege of baptising their first child.