PARŞÖMEN TARİHİ VE BERGAMA’DAKİ GELENEKSEL PARŞÖMEN USTALARI

Abstract

The word “deri” comes from the word “tirik”, which is used in the sense of tax paid to the khan in old Turkish tribes. This etymological meaning is the best indication that leather is a value for our culture in our social and economic history. Today, leather which is used to make shoes, clothes, decorative home and office goods, and even furniture and which was used in old Turkish societies from the caps to boots, from back packs toharness, was also used as “parchment”- writing material due to its durability and because it can be stored for many years. Parchment is of great archaeological importance due to its cultural role. There are many detailed studies on the technical structure of parchment, production technology, conservation and restoration and application areas. But it was revealed that there is no academic and scientific study about the latest craftsmen who still deal with parchment production in Turkey. In this study, it has been tried to give information about İsmail Araç and his apprentices Demet Sağlam Tokbay and Nesrin Ermiş, who continue the parchment production in our country with traditional methods. In addition, the current usage areas of the parchment are examined by interviewing with craftsmen, on-site research and documentation with photographs. As a result of the study, the fact that there are very few masters who know the parchment production by using a completely natural and traditional method without using technological tools and chemicals is a problem as in all other handicrafts and crafts. Therefore, in order to sustain this cultural value of Anatolia, new craftsmen should be trained and necessary support should be provided for this profession.