Mother-of-pearl inlay art within the scope of intangible cultural heritage: The Gaziantep example

An integral part of Gaziantep's rich cultural heritage, mother-of-pearl inlay has historically remained a defining element of the province's cultural identity, passing from master to apprentice until the present day. Beyond simply being an aesthetic form of production, this art form also constitutes an intangible cultural heritage, reflecting the city's historical and social memory. However, the transformative effects of modernization, globalization, disasters, and changing social dynamics on traditional handicrafts stand out as threats to the sustainability of this art form. Due to these threats, preserving this traditional art form from cultural, artistic, and socio-economic perspectives and passing it on to future generations is crucial. Masterfully practiced in Gaziantep for centuries, mother-of-pearl inlay is not only an aesthetic form of production but also a reflection of the city's historical and social memory. This study explores the deep-rooted history and techniques of mother-of-pearl inlay in Gaziantep, as well as the impact of the February 6, 2023 earthquakes on this intangible cultural heritage and threats to the art's sustainability. To this end, the study's problem is "What is the status of mother-of-pearl inlay, an element of Gaziantep's intangible cultural heritage, after the February 6, 2023, earthquake?" The study's methodology includes field research and semi-structured interviews, both qualitative research methods. In this context, in-depth interviews were conducted with mother-of-pearl inlay masters who continued their work after the earthquake, and the post-disaster situation was examined using a descriptive approach. The findings aim to reveal the threats facing this traditional art form and propose solutions for its sustainability.