TSESTOS

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Panerka or tsestoi (in Greek paneria) were weaved, circular, shallow to flat baskets, and were an indispensable item of the traditional Cypriot household across the island. Panerka of variable sizes were manufactured by local craftsmen and their production formed a special branch of basketry that flourished at several areas of the island.

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Panerka were quite versatile objects, and were mainly used for the stacking and transport of breads, buns, and pies, and for the making and drying of macaroni, vermicelli and the trahanas. Furthermore, various freshly picked agricultural products intended for consumption, such as beans, chickpeas, green beans among others were placed in panerka for sorting out any accidentally collected small stones and/or seeds gone bad.

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Parallel to these customary uses in the daily function of the kitchen, the panerka due to their often-decorated multi-coloured surfaces were often hung on the kitchen or rest of the house walls as part of the decoration.

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Tsestoi and panerka were also widely used in a ceremonial context, as it is in these vessels that koliva and the pentarti (offering of five ceremonial breads) were placed during religious feasts and memorial services. Moreover, prior to a wedding ceremony, it was customary to place the silk trousseau of the bride, the sheets of the bridal bead and the couple’s clothes in a paneri and dance them around. During the actual wedding ceremony, all the paraphernalia, such as the crowns of the intending (metallic or cloth wreaths), the wine, the bread, the arravones (wedding rings), the koufettes (wedding candies made of sugar coated almonds), and the ribbons for the best man and bridesmaids were also placed in a paneri. Finally, guests attending the ceremony often offered in panerka foodstuffs and crops as kannisia (wedding presents).