KOROKOLIOS

 

The korokolios, else known as malathouri, kolokas, kolokolios or appos was a small-sized storage vessel made of weaved palm-tree leaves, straw (floudi reed) or wheat stems. The vessel had a spherical body and was equipped with a cover connected to the body via a small string that penetrated the vessel walls from the inside to the outside. When the user pulled the string, the cover closed.

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Alternatively, the same vessel could be made with a small-sized bottle-shaped gourd (Calabash or Lagenaria sicenaria), which was cut at the base of the neck, while its interior was sealed off with tar. The cap was made of a piece of cork fastened with the ramma (leather strap), or a piece of giant fennel stem (Ferula communis) dressed with some cloth at the end.

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The korokolios was a popular item for farmers and herders, who utilized this vessel for the transfer of their lunch, which usually included olives and halloumi (Cyprus cheese). The gourd-made type of korokolios could carry up to half an oka of olives (≈0,64 kg).