Sack weavings in Silifke Museum

The aim of the research is to examine the sack weavings found in the Silifke Museum in terms of their pattern, motif, and technical characteristics. The study utilized museum research, literature review, and oral interview models. Prior to examining and identifying the sack weavings with carpet comb stored in the Silifke Museum's warehouse, written permission was obtained from the General Directorate of Cultural Assets and Museums. After obtaining the necessary permissions, security measures were taken, and under the supervision of security personnel and museum staff, the sealed ethnographic artifact warehouse was opened. A total of 42 examples of weaving sacks belonging to the region were identified in the Silifke Museum warehouse. 33 sack weavings woven with the flat weaving technique, featuring different patterns, motifs, and color characteristics, including cicim and sumak, have been included in the scope of the research. These weavings have been closely examined to determine their pattern, color, motif composition, and technical characteristics as accurately as possible. Weaving analyses of the sack weavings were conducted, their dimensions were measured, and photographs were taken. In order to make an accurate evaluation of the technical, pattern, and color characteristics of the regional Ala sack weavings in the museum, inventory information of the weavings and research analysis results were compared, and information form tables for the sacks were created. According to the information obtained from the oral interview with the Director of the Silifke Museum, weaving in Silifke was initially done by local people to protect and store household dry legumes (flour, wheat, barley, bulgur, etc.). The decrease in weavers compared to the past and the introduction of ready-made polypropylene sacks (rubble sacks) into our lives due to industrialization have adversely affected traditional regional weaving practices. The local people have started to donate their weavings to the museum, either for a fee or by donation. However, due to the extensive variety of ethnographic artifacts in the Silifke Museum (such as silver accessories, belt buckles, headbands, copper-silver bracelets, accessories like rings and purses, kolon weavings, wool socks, kilims and saddlebags, rifles and pistols, powder flasks, cartridge cases, swords, weapons, etc.) and the insufficient capacity of the exhibition hall to adequately accommodate them, Ala sack weavings cannot be displayed. The items not exhibited in the museum are kept in the storage of the Silifke Museum.