Local şal şapik fabric weaving in Şırnak

The aim of this research is to document and reveal the properties of the unrecorded or forgotten hand woven Şal Şapik examples of Şırnak province. For this purpose, the weaver and weaving places are detected. Within the scope of this research two weavers and their workplaces are examined. During the research, the general scanning model is used. A total of 20 hand woven Şal Şapik examples consisting of the old and new samples are defined as the sample group. Pictures from different angles are taken and saved in order to define the Şal Şapik weaving technique, color, design, pattern, compositional and the end processing characteristics. A weaver serving in the center of Şırnak is defined as the working group. In order to record the information obtained from the sample group, the cloth information form is evaluated and to record the diversity of the samples as dresses and their meanings in local public the Şal Şapik information form is developed. Now-days the Şal Şapik weaving in the region is kept on the workplaces of the weavers and of the municipality. In the past, while the age of the weavers was middle-aged and older, now its more advanced, the elders deal with it. Weaving is carried out to generate income. The educational level of the weavers is determined to be literate. All of the old samples in the region are produced in pit loom and wefts, and the warp yarns are generated by mohair. Now-days, in municipal workshops instead of the pit looms high benchs are used, but still the yarn is generated by mohair. The width of the weavings is 33 cm. The colors used in weaving, are the colors of the original mohair but also natural dyes were used to achieve different colors. Now-days, however, synthetic dyes are also used to achieve different colors. Şal Şapik weavings are generally woven in one single color. Drawings made of horizontal and vertical lines are used as patterns. Şal Şapik weavings are semi bright silky, elegant-looking which keep warm in winter and cool in the summer used as the local men's attire. KEYWORDS: Şırnak Province, Şal Şapik Weaving, Mohair, Handcrafts, Weave, Bench.