An Inquiry Into Social Aspects of Objects: Evolution of Prayer Beads Into Digital Counters

This paper reviews the study which focused on the use of prayer beads. Prayer beads, which are the objects used for counting prayers, are evolving into digital counters, during the last decade in Turkey. Focusing on this evolution, the current study aims to explain social and cultural aspects of using a product. For this purpose, first a brief theoretical framework on material culture of consumption and everyday life is provided within the specificity of how Islam informs these in Turkish context. A brief history of prayer beads is given based on the field study. The field study is composed of semi-structured interviews with tarika members and regular attendants of a mosque, and observations in these fields which elaborates on the meaning of objects and daily practices, the co-evolution of objects and practices, how social, cultural, and religious values inform the use and appropriation of objects.