The place of Maturation Institutes in the survival of traditional handicrafts: The example of Southeastern Anatolia (Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, Mardin, Siirt)

The Southeastern Anatolia Region has hosted numerous civilizations throughout history, and its rich cultural heritage has contributed to the diversity and abundance of traditional handicrafts. Diyarbakır, Mardin, Siirt, and Gaziantep—prominent cultural centers of the region—have played a decisive role in the survival of traditional production practices thanks to their strategic locations, deep-rooted histories, and distinctive cultural textures. The Maturation Institutes (Olgunlaşma Enstitüleri) located in these cities serve as institutional structures that not only preserve centuries-old craft traditions but also adapt them to contemporary conditions. These institutes undertake an essential mission in the education, production, documentation, and transmission of traditional handicrafts to future generations, thereby contributing directly to the preservation of regional cultural identity. Within the scope of this study, the roles of the Maturation Institutes in the Southeastern Anatolia Region in preserving and sustaining traditional handicrafts were examined, and their educational activities, production processes, and cultural heritage initiatives were analyzed. The main aim of the research is to identify the traditional handicrafts maintained in the Maturation Institutes of Diyarbakır, Mardin, Siirt, and Gaziantep, to determine the practices that ensure their vi sustainability, and to reveal the reflections of regional cultural interaction on these crafts. The study was prepared in accordance with Art History and Folklore research methods through on-site observations of the relevant institutes, examination of their archives, and interviews conducted with field experts and master instructors. The findings indicate that traditional handicrafts such as filigree, copperwork, weaving, stone carving, lacework, and linen and silk production are revisited within the institutes from both technical and aesthetic perspectives. Furthermore, it was determined that each city's unique motifs, techniques, and material usage are sustained through institutional education. The study was enriched with texts, illustrations, tables, photographs, and maps, aiming to provide a holistic evaluation of the region's traditional handicrafts. It is expected that this thesis will contribute to future research on traditional handicrafts as well as studies focusing on the role of Maturation Institutes in the preservation of cultural heritage.