Gaziantep’te Semercilik/Çulculuk/Palancılık

Abstract

Gaziantep is one of the cities where traditional professions have been already performed. It is fact that supply-demand balance is a determinant in terms of these occupations’ future, however, academic studies on traditional professions have an essential role in carrying of traditional knowledge about them to next generation as well. Therefore, saddle-making/gunny-making/pad-making, one of the traditional occupations is determined as the subject of this study. Actually saddle-making, gunny-making, pad-making, horse collar-making are several traditional occupations but because of mechanization/ mass production, all of these have been transformed into an occupation that has been performed by single craftsman. In this study containing certain information which is obtained by literature search and field study, a short history of the profession is mentioned at first. Following, idioms and proverbs about the occupation are evaluated in order to show its prevalence throughout history. Moreover, the process of making a gunny and materials used in making it are introduced. As a result of the study, current situation of the occupation is evaluated. Also, certain suggestions on developing the profession are made.