Cretan poetry

Mantinada (Greek: μαντινάδα), plural mantinades (μαντινάδες) is the art of musical declamation (recitative) in form of a narrative or dialogue, sung in the rhythm of accompanying music. It is prominent in several parts of Greece, especially on the island of Crete where mantinades are performed in accompaniment of the Cretan lyra and Cretan laouto (a stringed instrument resembling lute). The word is derived from Venetian matinada, meaning "morning song".