Those who lead silk handicrafts in Alanya

Cocoons obtained by silkworm breeding constitute the main source of silk production. The cocoons, which have passed through various stages, have been processed as silk threads and have enabled many functional silk products to appear. Silk breeding, which has been going on for centuries, has become a roof where a cultural accumulation and aesthetic ground unite in silk production. Although the production of silk in Anatolian lands was mainly shaped as a commercial pursuit, it took the form of a traditional cultural identity within the time span. This field of activity, which started especially with the end of the 18th century in the Alanya region, has expanded with the master-apprentice relationship and has become an activity that almost identifies with the region. Alanya became the center of silk production in a short time with the initiatives made. Many functional products have emerged to meet the needs in every area of social life, from daily-used clothes to ornaments and home textiles to accessories. The phenomenon of rural to urban migration, which started with the modernization process and continues today, has negatively affected silkworm cultivation and silk handicraft as well as destroying many traditional contexts. It is very important to transfer this traditional doctrine, which is forgotten today, to future generations as an artistic pursuit. The main purpose of the study prepared in this direction was determined to ensure that silk handicrafts are transferred to future generations over the leaders representing silk handicrafts in Alanya region. Interviews were conducted with the participants using the qualitative research method and the data obtained were analyzed descriptively. In addition to these data, visual records taken from the field and the work inventories of the participants were compiled. The universe of the research is Alanya District and the sample number consists of 5 participants. Participants were determined as Nurten Gümüş, Rauf Sadullahoğlu, Refika Toklu, Seyfettin Çelik and Yusuf Çelik with the quota sampling method in line with the information collected from institutions such as Alanya Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Alanya Public Education Center, Alanya Municipality, Alanya District Agricultural Directorate. In the findings, mainly in the context of silk crafts, the lives of the participants, their professional experiences, the problems they faced and what their contributions to Alanya silk crafts were conveyed. Based on the problems faced by the participants, evaluations were made in order to transfer the silk handicrafts to the next generations in the Alanya universe and become more popular and solutions were offered. Keywords: Alanya, Silk, Silk Weaving, Silk Crafts