The village of Kokkotoi (formerly known as Kokkotoi, Koukoutoi, Kokosi, Kotetsi, Kokoti) is built at an altitude of 600 meters and 20 kilometers southwest of the town of Almyros. It constitutes a Local Community of the Municipality of Almyros and has 320 inhabitants.

The word “Kokkotoi” is purely Greek, derived from the word “kokkos” (grain). In entomology, there is an insect known as the “dyeing grain.” This insect lays its eggs on oak trees in the spring, which were formerly used in the dyeing craft, especially during the Ottoman period, for coloring fezzes. Additionally, in the leather industry, the “spots” – commonly called “boulies” in our village – were also used. These spots are formed on certain types of oak by the activity of another insect, known as “psinos,” when laying its eggs.

Moreover, it has been established that in earlier times, the village engaged in leather processing, during which “tannine” (tannic acid) extracted from the galls was used. Since tannine is also used in dyeing, it is quite possible that this craft also flourished in the village, where, in addition to tannine, the collected powder from the oak trees was used, in which the eggs of the “dyeing grain” insect had transformed.

As is well known, the village of Kokkotoi has an extensive oak forest, which is one of the largest in Thessaly. Leather processing—as well as the dyeing industry—was carried out in specialized workshops located near the village, at a site where two streams flowed, coming from the areas of “Stinoura” and “Igoumenou Anavra.” This location still retains the name “Argasteria” to this day.

At this point, it is worth noting that the village was originally divided into two quarters. One was called “Kokosi” and the other “Kokkotoi.” Eventually, one of the two quarters disappeared, and the two were united under the name “Kokkotoi,” which remains in use to this day.

Etymology of the word “Kokkotoi”

“Journey through the History of the Village of Kokkotoi and the Church of St. Paraskevi”

Fr. Ioannis Pappas, Giannos Georgios

Kokkotoi, 2007