SILKWORM BREEDING AND HISTORIC SILK FABRICS OF HARPOOT REGION

Abstract

The aims of this article are introducing hand woven silk fabrics, a cultural heritage and woven in Harpoot to the world culture and informing about how silkworm breeding was carried out in villages through primitive methods. Silkworm breeding was a great source of revenue for people in Harpoot (Elazig-Harput) region and around between the years of 1870 and 1950. The silkworm breeding and cocoon production depend on the existence of mulberry trees. Harpoot, has both mulberry trees and available climate and soil structures. Therefore, the silkworm breeding became a family occupation carried out all along in Harpoot region. The study consists of two stages. At the first stage, negotiations were made with people who used to be engaged in silkworm breeding and obtained information from them about the silkworm breeding in that period. In the second stage, silk fabrics in the inventory of Elazig Archaeology and Ethnography Museum, were brought to light and examined. But youngsters’ lack of interest to silk production and weaving in the region caused this cultural heritage with important values disappear off the face of the earth.