The first witnesses of man presence on the Diapontian islands start at the medieval ages, however, permanent residents are only reported in the 17th century, when the first traces of culture are reported on the island Othoni. This newly-arrived population settled initially on Othoni and later some families migrated to the other two islands (Erikousa - Mathraki).
It s a fact that until 100 years ago the people of Othoni would often sail to Mathraki and Erikousa , where they fad fields of land, to cultivate them.
However, as time went by and families became larger and larger, many families would divide the family land between their members and people went to settle on the land of their part of the inheritance. This is how Mathraki and Erikousa came to have permanent residents.
MATHRAKI - NAME
A popular explanation for the name of the island is that many years ago, Mathraki had been burnt in a destructive wind fire, and the "athrakia" (coal) gave it its name. Traveler Professor George Joseph Parts informs us that in antiquity its name was Malthaki and that at modern tumes, its name became Samothraki. .
The idiomatic vocabulary of the Diapontials bears the influence of the Italian language, as well as indigenous facts, that connect it to the ancient Greek language.
It is some typical words, which can also be heard in the countryside of Corfu.