Worry beads

Worry beads made from different materials

Worry beads or kombolói, kompoloi (Greek: κομπολόι, IPA: [ko(m)boˈloj], bead collection; plural: κομπολόγια, IPA: [ko(m)boˈloʝa]) is a string of beads manipulated with one or two hands and used to pass time in Greek and Cypriot culture. Unlike the similar prayer beads used in many religious traditions, including the Greek Orthodox komboskini, worry beads have no religious or ceremonial purpose.

Etymology

Modern Greek κομπολόι is derived from κομβολόγιον < κόμβος "knot" + -λόγιο "collection". It is sometimes said that it is short for the phrase σε κάθε κόμπο προσευχή λέω, "in every knot I say a prayer"- κόμπο "knot"-λέω "say" > κόμπο-λέω > κομπολόι.[1][2] This etymology accounts for the fact that κομπολόι evolved from κομποσκοίνι, the Greek word for prayer rope.

Use

Worry beads have several uses in Greek culture, including:[3]

Features

Worry beads may be constructed from any type of bead, although amber, amber resin (such as faturan), and coral are preferred, as they are thought to be more pleasant to handle than non-organic materials such as metal or minerals.

Greek worry beads generally have an odd number of beads (often one more than a multiple of four, e.g. (4x4)+1, (5x4)+1, and so on, or a prime number, usually 17, 19 or 23) and usually have a head composed of a fixed bead (παπάς "priest"), a shield (θυρεός) to separate the two threads and help the beads to flow freely, and a tassel (φούντα). Usually the length of worry beads is approximately two palm widths.[4]

Usage

Worry beads can be handled in many different ways.

Quiet

"Quiet" method

The most common are a quiet method, for indoors, and a noisier method that is acceptable in public places. The most common quiet method is to start at one end of the thread or chain, near the shield, and to pull the thread forward using that hand's thumb and the side of the index finger until one of the beads is reached. Then the cord is tipped so that the bead falls and hits the shield. This is repeated until all the beads have been tipped and then the user starts over.

Loud

"Loud" method

The second, louder, method is to divide the beads into two groups. On one end is the shield and a small number of the beads. On the other end is the rest of the beads. Where the two threads are empty, that space is laid between the index and middle fingers. The hand should be in a position where the palm is facing the torso. Then the end behind the hand is swung up and forward so that it hits the other beads, making a noise.

The threads are then switched back into the space between the index and middle fingers by holding the threads between the thumb and the side of the index finger. This is repeated rhythmically, creating a louder clicking noise than the quiet method. Another method is to hold all of the worry beads in one hand and roll them against each other, creating soft clicking sounds.

As musical instrument

Worry beads used as musical instrument, related to rebetiko. The sound emitted using a drinking glass and rubbing with the lip against the worry bead, which suspended from one button.

As ritual

It is also superstition in certain Greek communities that husbands-to-be, on their wedding night, will perform a "Worry bead ritual" involving rapid back and forth movement of all beads. This is meant to ensure sexual fulfilment (συνουσία, synousía), on the wedding night and during the following honeymoon period.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ neolaia.de (Greek)
  2. ↑ athensinfoguide.com (Greek)
  3. ↑ [Article by the author Tassos Thomaides, President of the Komboloi Friends Society, in the newspaper Evdomi http://www.ebdomi.com/arthra/arthra/1216-----.html]
  4. ↑ Tasos Thomaidis, The Path of Man and Worry Beads, Tasos Thomaidis Publications, 2001. ISBN 960-87105-1-0

References