Şal-şapik 

Şal-şapik weaving art, which is one of the handicrafts of Şırnak, has been made via hand made workbenches and it reaches today.

Throughout the years when this fabric was profusely made, it was the casual cloth of the folk. Due to the decline in its production, today it is used only for weddings, bayrams and other special days.

The şal-şapic fabric, which is the oldest and the most precious cultural heritage of Şırnak region, was woven especially in Şırnak City Centre, İdil, Silopi, Uludere Districts and neighbouring villages, yet as a result of the reasons such as migration and financial problems it faces up to the threat of vanishing nowadays.

With the Project of Improvement of The Cultural Heritage in GAP region (Southeastern Anatolia Project), The European Union has started endeavors to impede the extinction of this art which is peculiar to the region and has authentic values. As a result, craftsmen who know the weaving art of Şal-şapik have been determined and this fabric has been reproduced.

The fabric is woven in the handlooms with the ropes that are made of Angora goat. The madder is used for its colouring.

After being washed and getting dry, it is formed as a homogenous mode with tilting combs.

After it becomes a thread ball and then rope, the robes are twined to cabinets.

The prepared robes that are 12-13 metres in lenght, are streched upon 1 meter from the ground and, and so a system called STE is arranged. A herbal glue which is called as Sterhic is placed upon the prepared robes with a herbal brush. After this operation is completed, it is begun to be woven in the handlooms.

These fabrics which are commonly used either by calling their names or their motifs, have 10-15 species.

The most popular motifs

Se Mekuk,       (with three weaver’s shuttles)

Şımaği,           (motif)

Gevra Dirali,     (motif)

Meydaniye,      (motif)

Kığme,            (color-combination of purple and dark blue)

Binefşi             (color-combination of red and dark blue)

Penc Mekük      (motif)

Bekir Begi,        (motif)

Kığme Çıkıni,    (motif)

Pişbes,             (color-dark brown)

Arafi,                (color-sky blue)

Apart from local clothes, şal-şapik is also used for trousers, coat, necktie, suit, skirt and the production of various veils.

Şal-şapik weaving, See (Presentation)

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