Our sterling silver (.925) katah jewelry is inspired by Cambodian prayer beads.  Available in two styles of bead and necklace:  angular katah with sterling silver chain (16 in. or 18 in.) or traditional tubular katah on a black synthetic rubber cord with a sterling silver clasp.  Either style is a unique addition to any jewelry collection.

Also, see our gold katah beads or gold katah-style lanterns. 

Cambodian prayer bead (katah): Today in Cambodia, a wealthy woman might wear a single gold katah on a chain around her neck.  More commonly, though, a Cambodian woman of more modest means might wear several or many silver katah on a cord around her waist and hidden under her garments.  According to tradition, the Khmer (Cambodian) women would seek the blessings of monks who copied Buddhist scriptures onto small bits of palm leaf, silver, or more recently, paper. These writings were then rolled up and inserted into katah made from clay, bamboo, lead, silver or gold, depending on the woman’s economic status.  After that, each monk would add his personal “magic” through a prayer offering.

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