Sericulture training in Antalya during Republican Peri̇od(1926–1960)

Silk production first started in Anatolia during the Byzantine period. This activity spread firstly in the Marmara region and later on in the Mediterranean coasts and the region of Diyarbakır. It had undergone a considerable development around Bursa and İzmit after Bursa became the Ottoman capital.3 Around mid-16th century silk weaving became more varied due to the public desire to get dressed better when the empire grew larger and economic level developed. Apart from Bursa, new cities like İstanbul, Edirne, Amasya, Denizli, İzmir and Konya became new centers of silk weaving. Starting from the first half of the 19th century strong, factories employing steam power were established in order to produce lustrous fabric made up of silk. By this way production had become compatible with the universal technological standards of the era. During the 19th century nearly 160 factories were established in the Ottoman territory 4 . This industrial development based upon steam power lead to the dissolution of small enterprises using hand tools. In the other hand, this development directed people to silk manufacturing in order to respond the necessity of cocoons.In 1888 the administration of Düyun-u Umumiye decided to establish a school of silk production called "HarirDarü't-Talimi" in order to develop this production in Bursa and its close environment. The director of the school was KevorkTorkumyan who was sent to France for education. Education started with 12 students. At first education lasted two years but then it was reduced to one year. Students were elected through an examination. Until 1922, 2032 students graduated from this institution. After 1921, Harir Darül-Talimi which was opened in Bursa by Duyun-u Umumiye was taken as a model and in Edirne, Diyarbakır, Antalya and Denizli the Ministry of Finance established similar schools which were called Silkworm Schools. In 1928 "Antalya silkworm School" established in Yenikapı district of Antalya. In 1938, in Alanya, a county of Antalya, one more school was established under the title of " Alanya silk-worm School". 178 students graduated from this school between 1926 and 1935. The school lead to an increasing interest for silk manufacturing business and as a result 12 tons of pure silk cocoon were produced in 1949. As compared to the production of 1930, which was 63 tons, it can be seen that the total production pointed to a doubling. Thisresult indicates the significance of the silkworm schools by means of their contribution tourban economy through silk production.