THE CARPET WEAVING TRADITION IN TURKEY

Carpet weaving in turkey is an old tradition that is still prevailing and women have been playing a very important role in carpet making. In turkey they call it Kilim. Basically Kilim is known as a carpet or rug made only by Turks. It is said Turks are among one of the earliest carpet weavers, though nothing can be said with surety yet they believed that these carpets and rugs were initially used by nomads as floor covering in their tents for warmth comfort as well for decoration. Their women used to woven these carpets for family use.

Our guide told us that women are basically linked to this tradition of carpet weaving because their delicate hands can make more intricate designs. A daughter in a family was supposed to have greater chances of getting married if she is skilled in carpet weaving. Earlier they were not paid up to par but with the passage of time when government realize the importance of this tradition they starting paying quite handsome amount of money to these women. Carpets and kilims are an important part of Turkish life. One such carpet weaving factory and a little museum I visited during my trip. The museum displayed such beautifully the ancient nomadic life and the carpet weaving women in the factory.