Rosaries are icons of Ramadan holy month. Photo by Antoin Albert, Ahram archive
The world of rosaries is a whole world of secrets that come in various shapes, colours, types, and sizes. One stone after the other is put together to make a beautiful rosary that brings you peace when put in your hands.
Photo by Fathy Hussien
The beginning
Rosaries' first presence dates back to the Sumerian civilization, some 5,000 years ago, as they were part of their religious and spiritual rituals.
In other civilizations, they were used as a charm and an accessory.
In Islamic civilisation, rosaries were first made from pebbles before later being crafted from precious stones, ivory, and scented wood. There is no precise date for when rosaries first appeared in Egypt, although some accounts suggest they existed during the Fatimid period.
Photo by Ahmed Abdel Razeq
The district of rosaries
In the historic districts of Al-Hussein and Al-Gamalia in the heart of Cairo, rosary-making remains a local handmade craft centred in Khan Gaafar.
Many workshops specialize in producing rosaries. Skilled artisans shape the beads using a manual lathe to ensure that each bead is the same size. The beads are then drilled so that silk or plastic threads can pass through them. Some rosaries include silver or gold decorative pieces between the beads, giving them a distinctive style.
The final stage is polishing, after which the tassel is attached.
Photo by Kamal Al Garnousy
Shapes and colours
In the book The Rosary and Its History and Provisions, Bakr Ibn Abdallah writes that the most common rosaries are the Thalthia (33 beads) and the Alfeya (1,000 beads). “The rosary has many other names, such as the reminder of God, the connection rope, and the bond of hearts,” the book states.
The most expensive rosaries are made from amber. According to Nadia Fadl’s book Scattered Beads: The Manufacturing of Rosaries as an Art and Culture, Yousr rosaries are made from black coral, and Egypt is known for inlaying silver and aluminium into them. Rosaries made from kokka wood are among the most durable and best-selling.
Other rosaries are made from ebony, sandalwood, rosewood, ivory, turquoise, and agate, all of which are valued for their beauty. Fairou rosaries are considered more durable for everyday use.
The most expensive types are made from pearls and coral, and these are mainly found in the Gulf region.
There are also fluorescent rosaries that can absorb and emit light. Despite the availability of machine-made rosaries, handmade ones remain the most popular.
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