I'm Greek, and I basically grew up around these being used a lot, especially by elders. I have a pair made of a special onyx coloured stone from a famous area of my home island Crete, as well as a pair made of bone. Amber and bone/horn are the most commonly used materials in the higher quality komboloi, where stones/olive wood are the step down, and then regular wood, plastic and glass are the lowest quality. A lot of people prefer a soft string to a metal one, easier on the hands.
I have adhd and was looking for an adult version for something like a fidget spiner, came across these on etsy, love them so much, they look elegant and beautiful and keeps my hands busy and helps with focus
Thanks for putting this on.My father Vassily left a pair for my son.Silver with 21 beads.They are beautiful.I have just shown my 10 year old your film and away he went.Must be in the genes lol.xx
I recently found out about these and ordered a set. I ordered a set for my mom to. She likes to learn about different things from different cultures. Your video really helped me. I hope I enjoy these as much as you
A very close Greek friend of mine gifted me his late grandfather's komboloi when I moved from Montreal to Alberta. I've been drinking and spinning them all night
Hi, I just went to Greece for the first time after wanting to go all my life. I saw guys playing with these things and asked an old man who taught me how to use them. I got a few sets and got myself some custom made beads in Athens...now I can't get enough of these little things! Great video. Thanks for the insight.
I got a begleri as a birthday gift a while ago, and I stumbled across this while looking for begleri tutorials. After I got the begleri down, I made a komboloi and am working on being able to do tricks quickly and easily. This and the begleri are both great for relaxation and medetation.
Great video. A lot of people can't quite believe that these are so easy and simple to use 🙂 I'm half greek and spent a fair bit of time visiting my family and couldn't quite get it when I was younger. But it makes sense to me now. People always seem to think there must be some huge significance in these. Basically they are an ancient version of a fidget spinner 🙂 Another subtle thing to note is the materials that someone's komboloi are made of. They can be an indication of wealth or a status symbol in Greece. In certain areas you will unknowingly be judged by your komboloi. A wealthy person for example may have theirs made with rare gem stones such as natural Amber and accented with hand carved beads in genuine silver and a silver chain however the sky is the limit. A less wealthy person may perhaps use komboloi of less expensive materials such as steel, pewter or wooden beads and a nylon cord or steel chain.
I have a komboloi and I walk around Greece and people come up to me and ask if they can see it apparently I have one of the best kombolois in Greece. one thing I do know is if you have artheritis in your hands use a komboloi it makes it go away I love them and it releaves a lot of joy
I saw many many people using these beads while I was holidaying in Greece. So I bought a TON of them as souvenirs while I was there. Which was about a year and a half after you posted this video - I kept a set for myself, because I thought they were just so beautiful and now I finally know how to use them 5 and a half years later!! So thank you very much 😂🤣✌️
Thanks I found them inside a box while I was cleaning my room I had those from my dad I was addicted to plukking ore cutting my hair with my hands this thing was really helpful to make the addiction go away thanks
Wow my friend gave me one of these like 15 years ago when he came back from Greece and it has been hanging on my wall like a rosary lol. Now im gonna use it
I made my own komboloi out of palm seed beads with a strong type of cord (2 milimeter thick). Like you've said, it's some kind of meditation while swinging it. Mine could also be turned into prayer beads or bracelet.
I have known about worry beads since I was young,I had forgotten about them until recently.Since I have become more interested in EDC groups I discovered them again.Thank you for the video.
Just came across my komboloi while going through some boxes. My parents got them for me while in Greece several years ago. I have been curious about how to use them and your video was very helpful. These things are a great anxiety tool. Cheers
Thank you for the video. I am a convert to Eastern Orthodoxy and have known about the komboskini prayer rope which I have been using for years. But recently I was reading a book called "The Mountain of Silence: A Search for Orthodox Spirituality" by Kyriacos C. Markides; and there was a mention of a man on Cyprus using his Worry Beads. So I Googled it and found your Video. Now I want a Kombolini. ;) Although not sure where to get one where I live. But thank you. Great video. Very helpful
yeah!! I use my begleri to relax and forget my body and focus my mind, A fantastic tool to medit and to remember when I was in Greece or Turkey forgetting all the problems of modern life.
I love my olive wood komboloi. I didn't realize there are so many different tricks you can do with them. I agree that is really relaxing. I love how happy you look using them in the video!
hey very informative video...just got my worry beads as a gift from a friend ..didnt have a clue what they were used for ...but making great use of them now ...thanks for sharing x
I've had some since 1980. They were a gift from a friend's trip to Greece. I knew what they were called but never knew how to use them. I think I'm going to liking chilling with the komboloi. Great demo and chat!
Thanks, I'm in naxos (Greece) my girlfriend just gave me one so I can play with it and try to stop smoking, this is a great way to learn the first steps.
the komboloi is such a simple thing. Im not religious but have a cheap komboloi, studying the religious history of these things jsut opened my eyes to the fact that regardless of how 'simple' something seems, it only has the value we give it. the komboloi could just be a toy to you, or it could be your staging ground for talking to god, and everything in between.
Great video, I am the same, I got my first one in Cyprus. I looked for another as good on the web but could not find one as good. After much time I have now just built my own...Yeah...It's so calming & addictive!
I just came back from Greece where I found them with the eye, and I had no idea what they were until I asked and it too me a while on the trip to figure it out even then. But I liked the look and feel so I got them, and then I realized I saw people all over Greece using them. What was funny was you could tell our tour guide was getting stressed by the end of the 9 days because he constantly had his out flipping them around in his hand after day 7! I'm still getting the hang of them and I'm not sure mine are balanced right since they're cheap souvinier one's but I like them!
yassas, Love mine, got it made in Mykonos by Vangelis, yes Him, and it is more than just an object. I was instructed that I needed to feel the type of stone or wood or amber or resin the beads needed to be for the Komboloi to have the special stress relieving effect desired. Believe me after spending time sensing the different energy from the different type of beads, it's true. everyone should have one. yassou
Hey man, my parents were on holidays in Rhodes and saw everybody fidgeting with these, at the bar, at the beach, in the streets. They thought I'd like it and they got me one, it has antique ceramic beads and the 'special' ones are silver. This got me completely hooked up and to learn how to use I watched your video. Dude, your cool is awe-inspiring. Is it the Komboloi?
I'm gonna make a set of these for myself. There is a Greek lady on here who did a really nice tutorial about making them. I have black obsidian beads I want to use.
I use worry beads to relieve stress - I actually make my own now, however, I use the 33 - 3 sets of beads by 11 separated by a dividing bead of silver. I separate the beads with ver littel space, just enough to allow the bead to slide in order to get to the next bead. At the base of the 33rd bead there are a series of single strand of silver beads leading down to a medallion, or a silver tassel, or an amulet - you could also move from 33 (catholic) to 66, or 99 beads which is islamic.
I have never used komboloi but I do like to play with begleri I made out of wood and hex nuts I really like the sound it makes when the wooden beads hit each other
i have worry beads. i have seen the old people in Greece using them for stress relief. i am also half greek my mum being greek and very proud of it too!!
the one you have in your hands is kompoloi.. they use it 99% in Greece and it's Greek .. has nothing to do with Muslims and relegion ... they use something different with more beads for pray .. this is not for prey but for pleasure
Hey Jacob, I have seen them used almost exclusively by men, but I see no reason why women couldn't get some stress relief by using them at all. Should be used by all in my opinion. So everyone Enjoy!
@Jonathan Glyptis @Daniel Clark I understand that yes the traditions say that the komboloia are for men and men exclusively, but why should women not be allowed the pleasure of playing with the komboloia, feeling the beads slip through their fingers, the musical sound as each bead hits the others? As Aris Evangelinos, author of "The Komboloia and its History...", published by the Komboloi Museum of Greece, once said his grandfather had told him, "I, however, have never stopped declaring that the 'komboloi' belongs to everyone. Why should not women have 'komboloia to finger? I would call that another social injustice and one of the many cases of discrimination between the sexes. Who can say that only men have the woeful 'privilege' of loneliness? Who can assure us that the 'komboloi' feels 'at ease' only between male fingers? I am positive that everyone is in 'need' of he 'companionship' of a 'komboloi' and perhaps women more than anyone else," (34-35). A komboloi is a beautiful companion that anyone deserves. It's like saying only men deserve friends. Who is to dictate that? No one. Then who is to dictate who may have a komboloi? Yes, traditions are a beautiful thing that keep old secrets, ways, stories alive. But sometimes change is needed. The human race is constantly evolving to keep up with the environment around us, and so must our cultures and traditions.
It's just a cultural thing. It's not supposed to be demeaning women or anything, it's just how Greek culture is. Anyone can use them, though they were made for Greek men. Especially if you live in the U.S.A. and don't travel abroad much, you won't know a lot about this kind of thing, but it's just how they work. For instance, when I went to Greece, I learned that men don't generally approve of women driving. It's simply how each culture is raised that determines what's appropriate for each. It's not like women CAN'T use them, it's just that they were made for men.
Thank you for sharing this, I have never seen the komboloi but I definitely would like to own one. I was wondering if you could talk more about the spiritual aspect and if its any different, than using them as worry beads. Thanks again and have a great day!
great video, my employers and co workers are greek and suggested i get some of these and learn how to use them seeing as im usually pretty stressed out.....where did u order those?
Kyle Newman Thank you 🙏, I bought mine at constantincreations.com They have many to choose from and some are pretty reasonably priced. Although you could also check out Ebay as well. Mine is Tiger’s Eye with Sterling Silver parts, but it’s pricey, so depends what you’re looking for.
I have been given a Komboloi with beads slightly more cylindrical than yours and perhaps a little bigger. However there are 14 beads (plus the tassel holder), whereas all the literature says they should have an odd number. Is this a problem, ie does this make it more difficult to swing or spin? Also in your tutorial (which is very good) where you are holding the cord between your 3rd and 4th fingers, I can't work out if the flip is done before or after the hand is raised again to horizontal from the adjustment phase, or is it flipped by the actual raising of your hand, i.e. should there be no pause at the bottom?
Hey John, you can really do it either way. The idea being to find a comfortable way of relaxing that is best for you. If the beads on yours are a little bigger, depending on what they;re made from, you should have a decent amount of weight behind them. Which means the swing or spin can be easily accomplished whether there are an even or odd number of beads. I like to get a rhythm going, so that I can then effectively ignore the rotation and just focus on the feel of the beads in my hand. That's what brings me a sense of relaxation. Try it out and let me know your thoughts!
Having an odd number of beads is just a tradition to give it more symmetry. It shouldn't affect the playing very much; it's just not the traditional style. Komboloi come in all shape and sizes; my own personal one is slightly squared and very small beads, for my small hands.
something I used that is similar to this method is the Pilipino balisong knife, and these days you can get fairly cheap devices that use the balisong's functionality in a way that's not so dangerous.
Great video but just one thing, with no intention of nationalism: Only Greeks use koboloi with a gap and beads that can move, so they can "play" with them. Turks and Arabs use "full" kobolois, where the beads have no space to move and they are for religious purposes, just like the Catholic rosarios
Thanassiss komboloi comes from Islam to Turks and it is only for religious purposes but after a while it became popular among the kabadayis (a macho Turkish guy) to show your power to the others as well as to get rid of your stress etc. and then Greeks adopted it from Turks. When the Greek nationalism rose Greeks started to get rid of the Turkish words from their language but, they couldn't trow away the cultural influences. So today there is something called komboloi which only used in the orthodox Christianity and it has been used by Greeks since the beginning of christianity, but tesbih, tasbih, taspih has only been known to greeks for only a few centuries especially after Istanbul becoming a Muslim city.
haha yeah they say greeks invented the water in the universe :)) thanks to greeks that today we can drink water, you guys are such pathetic go and work a bit to pay your internet bills otherwise you wont be able to show your stupidity on here.
haskovali first you steal from Arabs, then you claim that is Turkish... hello who is MUCH OLDERRR ??? who have HISTORY?? DId anyone say Turkey turkey,,? hahah Greek words everywhere in medicine, mathematic, astronomy almost everywhere... So please calm down it's ok to be jealous no body is perfect I LOVE TURKEY.. im not negative guy or hater... peace!!!
being the oldest does mean it comes from you ?? you are thinking so simple go and learn something about what objective history means !!! Today in greek there are lots of turkish words does that mean that greeks learnt everything from turks ?? no so go and be an objective human and leave this idiotic greekism because in europe it only makes your nation look stupid and nothing else
+haskovali Of course not, you don't get the conclusion what i try to say. You are the one who needs to open books and to realize where is he from , do you even know where are from your roots ? Who is your ancesters where you from ? We invented the democracy too.. all world is using it... even you in Turkey :).... thanks to our invention... I didn't offend you, you did that by coming here and telling that komboloi is yours... Live your life... you live once... don't bother with this kind of STUPID things... please !!!
The komboloi I have been given has 14 beads plus the priest and founda. Although not having the traditional odd number of beads, does this affect its functionality, especially if I hold an odd number in my hand?
Hey John, I don't really see why it should, the swinging would work the same. Check out www.komboloi.net/ if you want to see a variety of other options. That's the site from which I got mine. I have no financial stake in that site, just think it's a good place to get a quality komboloi.
great video. Just got a set today, now I am all stressed out about not knowing how to use them - how ironic !! I bet I will get used to them with time though
Thank you for showing your beautiful komboloi. I actually collect kombolois. Can you please give me the link where you got it from? I would greatly appreciate it. By the way, you're doing the komboloi great! It's an awesome tool for relaxation and meditation.
Spiritually, people would say a religious word or prayer for every bead they 'count' (the second method he shows in the video). Similar to how a rosary is used. Typically in modern Greek culture they are not used spiritually (although that was their original purpose. kombos = knot and leo = to say), as that is the purpose of Tespih (Muslim prayer beads which are very similar) or Malas (Buddhist prayer beads). Begleri are what we call half beads, and are used mainly by the younger population.
The way I do it is just -slightly- different than the way you do it, but I can't describe it, and if I think about it too much, i mess up XD. I made mine out of some heavier glass beads and a cord. As soon as I can get to a bead/jewelry supply shop though, I'm gonna make one with gemstones (thinking Labradorite or Jasper... maybe Agate) and silver chain/beads. I don't trust the cord I have not to break and sling the beads across the room...
I happen to like the sterling silver, but you probably will get easier slipping of the beads off of a not metallic chord. Any way you use it is fine, that's just what works for me, as long as you find it relaxing and it lets go of your stress! :)
Eric M Hey Eric! They cost around $90 bucks because of the sterling silver and tiger eye stones. I got them at constantincreations.com/k_en/worrybeads.html
You can now find near indestructible bead materials. Back in the 60's they started working with bakelite and Futuran (a synthetic material imitating amber), to make a more durable bead material. I have a set made with a modern polymer plastic formula. And a few sets with acrylic beads as well.
normaly ,traditionaly not. its not feminim also.on the other hand its considered very musculine for a man to play it.if a woman pays koboloi its like a man dances belly dance really.
you are wrong the koboloi is pure greek.the turkish and others have beads where you cant hear sound of the bead cause its full and the beads cant move.only the greek is to b played to relax.all the others are for prayiing.
irina filipova you have no clue what you are talking about, go and ask your grandparents and they will tell you what Turkish agas, efendis, bashibozuk, pashas used to play with. It is purely Turkish same as baklava, sucuk, pastirma, kavurma, sazdirma etc
@@pante2002 , yes I've heard but not read documentation that the prayer bead forms may have originated with the Hindi peoples. I haven't seen any supporting documents that back it up (in English) yet though.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
In 1974 a Greek friend of mine gave me one. I was leaving for the military and I have never forgotten that. Thanks for sharing.
I'm Greek, and I basically grew up around these being used a lot, especially by elders. I have a pair made of a special onyx coloured stone from a famous area of my home island Crete, as well as a pair made of bone. Amber and bone/horn are the most commonly used materials in the higher quality komboloi, where stones/olive wood are the step down, and then regular wood, plastic and glass are the lowest quality. A lot of people prefer a soft string to a metal one, easier on the hands.
I have adhd and was looking for an adult version for something like a fidget spiner, came across these on etsy, love them so much, they look elegant and beautiful and keeps my hands busy and helps with focus
I am Greek with adhd and I agree, it‘s a very underrated stimming tool
Thanks for putting this on.My father Vassily left a pair for my son.Silver with 21 beads.They are beautiful.I have just shown my 10 year old your film and away he went.Must be in the genes lol.xx
I recently found out about these and ordered a set. I ordered a set for my mom to. She likes to learn about different things from different cultures. Your video really helped me. I hope I enjoy these as much as you
A very close Greek friend of mine gifted me his late grandfather's komboloi when I moved from Montreal to Alberta. I've been drinking and spinning them all night
Hi, I just went to Greece for the first time after wanting to go all my life. I saw guys playing with these things and asked an old man who taught me how to use them. I got a few sets and got myself some custom made beads in Athens...now I can't get enough of these little things! Great video. Thanks for the insight.
I got a begleri as a birthday gift a while ago, and I stumbled across this while looking for begleri tutorials. After I got the begleri down, I made a komboloi and am working on being able to do tricks quickly and easily. This and the begleri are both great for relaxation and medetation.
Great video. A lot of people can't quite believe that these are so easy and simple to use 🙂 I'm half greek and spent a fair bit of time visiting my family and couldn't quite get it when I was younger. But it makes sense to me now. People always seem to think there must be some huge significance in these. Basically they are an ancient version of a fidget spinner 🙂
Another subtle thing to note is the materials that someone's komboloi are made of. They can be an indication of wealth or a status symbol in Greece. In certain areas you will unknowingly be judged by your komboloi. A wealthy person for example may have theirs made with rare gem stones such as natural Amber and accented with hand carved beads in genuine silver and a silver chain however the sky is the limit. A less wealthy person may perhaps use komboloi of less expensive materials such as steel, pewter or wooden beads and a nylon cord or steel chain.
I have a komboloi and I walk around Greece and people come up to me and ask if they can see it apparently I have one of the best kombolois in Greece. one thing I do know is if you have artheritis in your hands use a komboloi it makes it go away I love them and it releaves a lot of joy
I saw many many people using these beads while I was holidaying in Greece. So I bought a TON of them as souvenirs while I was there.
Which was about a year and a half after you posted this video - I kept a set for myself, because I thought they were just so beautiful and now I finally know how to use them 5 and a half years later!!
So thank you very much 😂🤣✌️
Just bought a komboloi in a Greek store and I'm so glad to find this video. I couldn't figure out what to do with these beads. Thanks!
Just got back from Plaka, Greece. Bought two sets of Komboloi for both of my sons as souvenirs.
Thanks I found them inside a box while I was cleaning my room I had those from my dad I was addicted to plukking ore cutting my hair with my hands this thing was really helpful to make the addiction go away thanks
I carry a set every day, great video.
Wow my friend gave me one of these like 15 years ago when he came back from Greece and it has been hanging on my wall like a rosary lol. Now im gonna use it
Great video. I have a few komboloi and find them to be extremely relaxing. Thanks!
Komboloi beads are awesome. I swing them every day. Great video.
I made my own komboloi out of palm seed beads with a strong type of cord (2 milimeter thick). Like you've said, it's some kind of meditation while swinging it. Mine could also be turned into prayer beads or bracelet.
I have known about worry beads since I was young,I had forgotten about them until recently.Since I have become more interested in EDC groups I discovered them again.Thank you for the video.
Thanks for the vid. Using them to help me recover from a hand injury. Good stuff!
thanks for your reply and link. so proud to be half greek!!!
Just came across my komboloi while going through some boxes. My parents got them for me while in Greece several years ago. I have been curious about how to use them and your video was very helpful. These things are a great anxiety tool. Cheers
Koboloi is one of the beat ways to relax yourself. Is also a sing that you are a very cool experience person
Nice vibe dude! The therapy the beads are giving you comes across :)
Thank you for the video. I am a convert to Eastern Orthodoxy and have known about the komboskini prayer rope which I have been using for years. But recently I was reading a book called "The Mountain of Silence: A Search for Orthodox Spirituality" by Kyriacos C. Markides; and there was a mention of a man on Cyprus using his Worry Beads. So I Googled it and found your Video. Now I want a Kombolini. ;) Although not sure where to get one where I live. But thank you. Great video. Very helpful
yeah!! I use my begleri to relax and forget my body and focus my mind, A fantastic tool to medit and to remember when I was in Greece or Turkey forgetting all the problems of modern life.
I got a set some 30 years ago from a Greek friend of mine. I still have them to this day.
I love my olive wood komboloi. I didn't realize there are so many different tricks you can do with them. I agree that is really relaxing. I love how happy you look using them in the video!
man if you're reading this now, hope you haven't give up youtube. If you keep on doing that good, you'll succeed
Just bought some and beginning to practice ... thanks for video
hey very informative video...just got my worry beads as a gift from a friend ..didnt have a clue what they were used for ...but making great use of them now ...thanks for sharing x
i'm going to buy some for my granddaughter who has anxiety issues. Very good demonstration!
You got me hooked. I actually bought tiger's eye beads and others, and made one perfect for me. Great video!
I've had some since 1980. They were a gift from a friend's trip to Greece. I knew what they were called but never knew how to use them. I think I'm going to liking chilling with the komboloi. Great demo and chat!
Hey Clayton, yeah, definitely enjoy them, maybe with a nice Greek coffee, thanks for watching!
Loved it, you did a great job, very interesting and informative , thank you!
Thanks so much!
Thanks, I'm in naxos (Greece) my girlfriend just gave me one so I can play with it and try to stop smoking, this is a great way to learn the first steps.
The OG fidget spinner
the komboloi is such a simple thing. Im not religious but have a cheap komboloi, studying the religious history of these things jsut opened my eyes to the fact that regardless of how 'simple' something seems, it only has the value we give it. the komboloi could just be a toy to you, or it could be your staging ground for talking to god, and everything in between.
Great video, I am the same, I got my first one in Cyprus. I looked for another as good on the web but could not find one as good. After much time I have now just built my own...Yeah...It's so calming & addictive!
Thank you for posting this, really described it well!
I just came back from Greece where I found them with the eye, and I had no idea what they were until I asked and it too me a while on the trip to figure it out even then. But I liked the look and feel so I got them, and then I realized I saw people all over Greece using them. What was funny was you could tell our tour guide was getting stressed by the end of the 9 days because he constantly had his out flipping them around in his hand after day 7! I'm still getting the hang of them and I'm not sure mine are balanced right since they're cheap souvinier one's but I like them!
i leave and work in cyprus and i think the komboloi its a verry anstressing thing, sorry if my language is not soo good i com from roumania
about hystory of komboloi can you make an video? love komboloi
You're funny man. Thanks for making me laugh. Btw, cool video!
i do the same with russian Chetki/chotki and slinging greek begleri as well
I'm planning to make more in this series on Komboloi, and other stress relieving/relaxation ideas
yassas,
Love mine, got it made in Mykonos by Vangelis, yes Him, and it is more than just an object. I was instructed that I needed to feel the type of stone or wood or amber or resin the beads needed to be for the Komboloi to have the special stress relieving effect desired. Believe me after spending time sensing the different energy from the different type of beads, it's true. everyone should have one. yassou
Hey man, my parents were on holidays in Rhodes and saw everybody fidgeting with these, at the bar, at the beach, in the streets. They thought I'd like it and they got me one, it has antique ceramic beads and the 'special' ones are silver. This got me completely hooked up and to learn how to use I watched your video. Dude, your cool is awe-inspiring. Is it the Komboloi?
Obrigada pela explicação, estou compartilhando na minha página.Congratulations !!!!
Very , very good !
these are very nice may I ask which website you bought this from?
Liked the info, I got mines from Athínaio Greece, it fell twice and was like; how you flip them right and Voila your video here. Thanx!!!
Hi man! Glad you're enjoying this important piece of Greek and Cypriot culture. I myself am Cypriot and I was wondering where you bought it from!
Cypriot culture is Greek culture. Cyprus is Greek
Thanks. now i know how to use the Komboloi
AMAZING INSPIRING
I dont recall seeing any before today, i was at the mall and I saw these in one of my favorite stores and was like, hey... Whats that?
Very nice explanation and simple demonstration. I would like the link to purchase. Do you recommend a certain size bead.
Also, with Komboloi, the bead at the top is called the shield. In a Tespih, it's called the priest bead.
You raised my stress level 😂😂
I'm gonna make a set of these for myself. There is a Greek lady on here who did a really nice tutorial about making them. I have black obsidian beads I want to use.
I use worry beads to relieve stress - I actually make my own now, however, I use the 33 - 3 sets of beads by 11 separated by a dividing bead of silver. I separate the beads with ver littel space, just enough to allow the bead to slide in order to get to the next bead. At the base of the 33rd bead there are a series of single strand of silver beads leading down to a medallion, or a silver tassel, or an amulet - you could also move from 33 (catholic) to 66, or 99 beads which is islamic.
I have never used komboloi but I do like to play with begleri I made out of wood and hex nuts I really like the sound it makes when the wooden beads hit each other
I'm going to order some.
i have worry beads. i have seen the old people in Greece using them for stress relief. i am also half greek my mum being greek and very proud of it too!!
Love the Greek kopoloi.
the one you have in your hands is kompoloi.. they use it 99% in Greece and it's Greek .. has nothing to do with Muslims and relegion ... they use something different with more beads for pray .. this is not for prey but for pleasure
Hey Jacob, I have seen them used almost exclusively by men, but I see no reason why women couldn't get some stress relief by using them at all. Should be used by all in my opinion. So everyone Enjoy!
Yes but its traditional for men to do it it's sort of like a guy wearing a bra u can't it's a girl thing same with a komboloi I know I'm greek myself
Nope not for women, komboloi/Tesbih are a man's item
@Jonathan Glyptis @Daniel Clark
I understand that yes the traditions say that the komboloia are for men and men exclusively, but why should women not be allowed the pleasure of playing with the komboloia, feeling the beads slip through their fingers, the musical sound as each bead hits the others?
As Aris Evangelinos, author of "The Komboloia and its History...", published by the Komboloi Museum of Greece, once said his grandfather had told him, "I, however, have never stopped declaring that the 'komboloi' belongs to everyone. Why should not women have 'komboloia to finger? I would call that another social injustice and one of the many cases of discrimination between the sexes. Who can say that only men have the woeful 'privilege' of loneliness? Who can assure us that the 'komboloi' feels 'at ease' only between male fingers? I am positive that everyone is in 'need' of he 'companionship' of a 'komboloi' and perhaps women more than anyone else," (34-35).
A komboloi is a beautiful companion that anyone deserves. It's like saying only men deserve friends. Who is to dictate that? No one. Then who is to dictate who may have a komboloi?
Yes, traditions are a beautiful thing that keep old secrets, ways, stories alive. But sometimes change is needed. The human race is constantly evolving to keep up with the environment around us, and so must our cultures and traditions.
It's just a cultural thing. It's not supposed to be demeaning women or anything, it's just how Greek culture is. Anyone can use them, though they were made for Greek men. Especially if you live in the U.S.A. and don't travel abroad much, you won't know a lot about this kind of thing, but it's just how they work. For instance, when I went to Greece, I learned that men don't generally approve of women driving. It's simply how each culture is raised that determines what's appropriate for each. It's not like women CAN'T use them, it's just that they were made for men.
GreyWolfEmber 7
Thank you for sharing this, I have never seen the komboloi but I definitely would like to own one. I was wondering if you could talk more about the spiritual aspect and if its any different, than using them as worry beads. Thanks again and have a great day!
great video, my employers and co workers are greek and suggested i get some of these and learn how to use them seeing as im usually pretty stressed out.....where did u order those?
Kyle Newman Thank you 🙏, I bought mine at constantincreations.com They have many to choose from and some are pretty reasonably priced. Although you could also check out Ebay as well. Mine is Tiger’s Eye with Sterling Silver parts, but it’s pricey, so depends what you’re looking for.
Best way for using the komboloi is to mediate one bead at a time and keep counting the beads.
I have been given a Komboloi with beads slightly more cylindrical than yours and perhaps a little bigger. However there are 14 beads (plus the tassel holder), whereas all the literature says they should have an odd number. Is this a problem, ie does this make it more difficult to swing or spin? Also in your tutorial (which is very good) where you are holding the cord between your 3rd and 4th fingers, I can't work out if the flip is done before or after the hand is raised again to horizontal from the adjustment phase, or is it flipped by the actual raising of your hand, i.e. should there be no pause at the bottom?
Hey John, you can really do it either way. The idea being to find a comfortable way of relaxing that is best for you. If the beads on yours are a little bigger, depending on what they;re made from, you should have a decent amount of weight behind them. Which means the swing or spin can be easily accomplished whether there are an even or odd number of beads. I like to get a rhythm going, so that I can then effectively ignore the rotation and just focus on the feel of the beads in my hand. That's what brings me a sense of relaxation. Try it out and let me know your thoughts!
Having an odd number of beads is just a tradition to give it more symmetry. It shouldn't affect the playing very much; it's just not the traditional style. Komboloi come in all shape and sizes; my own personal one is slightly squared and very small beads, for my small hands.
Use them alot for stress it's a great tool
something I used that is similar to this method is the Pilipino balisong knife, and these days you can get fairly cheap devices that use the balisong's functionality in a way that's not so dangerous.
You still use em? Anyone recommend a trustable website to buy them from. Is The Beaded Garden good to buy from?
I like this and i make the komboloi for me :) I need peace in mind so i finde its good for me
Great video but just one thing, with no intention of nationalism: Only Greeks use koboloi with a gap and beads that can move, so they can "play" with them. Turks and Arabs use "full" kobolois, where the beads have no space to move and they are for religious purposes, just like the Catholic rosarios
Thanassiss komboloi comes from Islam to Turks and it is only for religious purposes but after a while it became popular among the kabadayis (a macho Turkish guy) to show your power to the others as well as to get rid of your stress etc. and then Greeks adopted it from Turks. When the Greek nationalism rose Greeks started to get rid of the Turkish words from their language but, they couldn't trow away the cultural influences. So today there is something called komboloi which only used in the orthodox Christianity and it has been used by Greeks since the beginning of christianity, but tesbih, tasbih, taspih has only been known to greeks for only a few centuries especially after Istanbul becoming a Muslim city.
haha yeah they say greeks invented the water in the universe :)) thanks to greeks that today we can drink water, you guys are such pathetic go and work a bit to pay your internet bills otherwise you wont be able to show your stupidity on here.
haskovali
first you steal from Arabs, then you claim that is Turkish... hello who is MUCH OLDERRR ??? who have HISTORY??
DId anyone say Turkey turkey,,? hahah
Greek words everywhere in medicine, mathematic, astronomy almost everywhere...
So please calm down it's ok to be jealous no body is perfect
I LOVE TURKEY.. im not negative guy or hater... peace!!!
being the oldest does mean it comes from you ?? you are thinking so simple go and learn something about what objective history means !!! Today in greek there are lots of turkish words does that mean that greeks learnt everything from turks ?? no so go and be an objective human and leave this idiotic greekism because in europe it only makes your nation look stupid and nothing else
+haskovali Of course not, you don't get the conclusion what i try to say. You are the one who needs to open books and to realize where is he from , do you even know where are from your roots ? Who is your ancesters where you from ?
We invented the democracy too.. all world is using it... even you in Turkey :).... thanks to our invention...
I didn't offend you, you did that by coming here and telling that komboloi is yours...
Live your life... you live once... don't bother with this kind of STUPID things... please !!!
Where did you get that particular komboloi?
The komboloi I have been given has 14 beads plus the priest and founda.
Although not having the traditional odd number of beads, does this affect its functionality, especially if I hold an odd number in my hand?
Hey John, I don't really see why it should, the swinging would work the same. Check out www.komboloi.net/ if you want to see a variety of other options. That's the site from which I got mine. I have no financial stake in that site, just think it's a good place to get a quality komboloi.
great video. Just got a set today, now I am all stressed out about not knowing how to use them - how ironic !!
I bet I will get used to them with time though
Chillax
Thank you for showing your beautiful komboloi. I actually collect kombolois. Can you please give me the link where you got it from? I would greatly appreciate it. By the way, you're doing the komboloi great! It's an awesome tool for relaxation and meditation.
Thanks Caroline, I appreciate the nice compliment! The link is www.komboloi.net/, as you can see from mine, they make wonderful stuff. Enjoy!
Spiritually, people would say a religious word or prayer for every bead they 'count' (the second method he shows in the video). Similar to how a rosary is used. Typically in modern Greek culture they are not used spiritually (although that was their original purpose. kombos = knot and leo = to say), as that is the purpose of Tespih (Muslim prayer beads which are very similar) or Malas (Buddhist prayer beads). Begleri are what we call half beads, and are used mainly by the younger population.
Begleri beads are a lot of fun too.
I need that meditation lol
i love komboloi. lets make komboli league
The way I do it is just -slightly- different than the way you do it, but I can't describe it, and if I think about it too much, i mess up XD. I made mine out of some heavier glass beads and a cord. As soon as I can get to a bead/jewelry supply shop though, I'm gonna make one with gemstones (thinking Labradorite or Jasper... maybe Agate) and silver chain/beads. I don't trust the cord I have not to break and sling the beads across the room...
I happen to like the sterling silver, but you probably will get easier slipping of the beads off of a not metallic chord. Any way you use it is fine, that's just what works for me, as long as you find it relaxing and it lets go of your stress! :)
Aramid cord will last much longer, and become soft with use. Kevlar is available as aramid cord.
Hey double question: how much did those cost/where did you aquire them and have you heard of begleri beads?
Eric M Hey Eric! They cost around $90 bucks because of the sterling silver and tiger eye stones. I got them at constantincreations.com/k_en/worrybeads.html
Eric M I've heard of begleri beads and that website has them, but I've never used them.
~ Thank You ~
If you wanna know more, hit me up, I'd be glad to give you any info you need.
Won't the beads - as they are made of stone - chip or break after a while?
Ewyndall I suppose so, but nothing was made to last forever. ;)
sure Ewyndall
You can now find near indestructible bead materials. Back in the 60's they started working with bakelite and Futuran (a synthetic material imitating amber), to make a more durable bead material. I have a set made with a modern polymer plastic formula. And a few sets with acrylic beads as well.
I have them and I swear I feel like I have 12 thumbs. Lol.
try to use kompoloi from amber (kehribari) (electron) beads...
This is the iphone of today...
Do females use these too
normaly ,traditionaly not.
its not feminim also.on the other hand its considered very musculine for a man to play it.if a woman pays koboloi its like a man dances belly dance really.
+irina filipova Here in Greece women do use kompoloi and it's definately not odd to see that, it's actually considered kinda sexy
elle trent Well I'm all for anything considered sexy! ;)
The soviet secret police precursor the CHEKA carried worry beads, as a sign of their station and position as CHEKA. I want some!!
i play with my beads every day for stress relief!!!
It means a lot that you liked my vid! Ill
Καλο μπεγλερι μονο η Ελληνες του 80 ξερουν να παιζουν. Το κομπολοι το παιζουν η γερι.
you are wrong the koboloi is pure greek.the turkish and others have beads where you cant hear sound of the bead cause its full and the beads cant move.only the greek is to b played to relax.all the others are for prayiing.
irina filipova you have no clue what you are talking about, go and ask your grandparents and they will tell you what Turkish agas, efendis, bashibozuk, pashas used to play with. It is purely Turkish same as baklava, sucuk, pastirma, kavurma, sazdirma etc
@@haskovali it is not pure Turkish it is pure Hindu or Buddhist
@@pante2002 , yes I've heard but not read documentation that the prayer bead forms may have originated with the Hindi peoples. I haven't seen any supporting documents that back it up (in English) yet though.
Turkish tesbih man