Comparison of Turkish and Kyrgyz felting in motif and technique

In the history of Turks, which stretches from Central Asia to Anatolia, products made from wool have constituted an important element of nomadic life. The natural characteristics of wool fibers have bestowed these products with a unique value, making them indispensable. Carpets, kilims, and especially felt production have held vital importance. Turkish communities have forged a distinct identity with their living spaces crafted from felt, further enhancing the value of felt products. As seen in the example of Kyrgyzstan, felt tents have been used, and the decorations of these tents have been realized using felt as well. Kyrgyzstan boasts a rich tradition of motifs, with a history dating back thousands of years. The numerous conveniences and advantages offered by felt have led people to regard it as possessing sacred qualities. In accordance with their beliefs, felt is adorned with motifs that carry profound meanings. Felt has transcended its status as a mere material and has transformed into a cultural and religious symbol. Turkish communities leading a nomadic life commenced migrating to Anatolia and gradually transitioning to a settled way of life with the conquest of Anatolia by Sultan Alparslan and the increasing Mongol invasions. They amalgamated their accumulated motifs and techniques from Central Asia with those of Anatolia, thereby developing new motifs and techniques. The systematic production of felt continued with the establishment of the Ahi Order. This synthesis enabled the Turks to achieve significant success in the realm of art and craftsmanship. While contributing to the rich cultural diversity of Anatolia, the new motifs and techniques fortified the Turks' identity and artistic expressions. Consequently, the Turks both preserved their traditions and created a novel creative understanding by drawing upon the cultural heritage of Anatolia. The tradition of felting in Turkey and Kyrgyzstan is considered as an important cultural legacy in both countries. However, in recent years, the demand for traditional felt products has diminished with the prevalence of mass production and synthetic materials. This has presented challenges for the felting industry in Turkey and Kyrgyzstan. Within the scope of this thesis, a comprehensive literature review was conducted to establish the study on a scientific foundation, enabling a comparative analysis of Turkish and Kyrgyz felting traditions in terms of motifs and techniques. Field research was conducted employing interview, observation, and descriptive techniques. Keywords: Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, Anatolia, Traditional felting, Motif, Technique, Comparison