A HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF FELT ART IN APPAREL CULTURE

Abstract

The most important feature that adds different identity into a society and distinguishes this society from others is “its traditions”. Turks also have formed unique traditions throughout history. In this formation, the transition from nomadic life into sedentary life became effective. Wearing apparels used by covering for the protection from natural conditions at the beginning has reflected regional and national characters by being influenced by social, economic, cultural and religious values in time. Traditional handicrafts in Turkish culture are always in development and change depending upon vital necessities differentiating in the society. In this context, felt art also arouse from needs initially, it was shaped according to the needs of society, and it was used in many areas of the life.The felt taking part in apparel culture of Turks throughout history has been used also for the manufacture of goods which are status indicators in the society as well as the fulfilment of vital necessities. The felt caps commonly used especially in the previous periods became significant objects reflecting the people’s position in the society. In the historical process, also felt art has reached until today by undergoing a change and transformation together with the society. Nowadays, the felt commonly used for apparel in the previous periods tries to obtain again its functionality that it has lost in time by means of the production and design of new goods. Felt finds new areas for itself in apparel culture by taking different forms with the effect of fashion. This study will be on the place of felt in Turkish apparel culture and its transitions in historical process.

Özet

Bir topluma farklı kimlik kazandıran ve onu diğerlerinden ayıran en önemli özelliklerin başında “gelenekleri” gelmektedir. Türkler de tarih boyunca kendilerine has geleneklerini oluşturmuşlardır. Bu oluşumda göçebe yaşamdan yerleşik yaşama geçiş etkili olmuştur. Başlangıçta örtünerek doğa koşullarından korunmak için kullanılan giyim eşyaları zaman içerisinde sosyal, ekonomik, kültürel ve dini değerlerden etkilenerek bölgesel ve milli özellikleri yansıtmıştır. Türk kültürü içerisinde var olan geleneksel el sanatları, toplumda farklılaşan yaşamsal ihtiyaçlarla beraber sürekli gelişim ve değişim içerisindedir. Gelenekteki değişim olgusuna paralel olarak Keçecilik sanatı da başta ihtiyaçlardan doğmuş, toplumun ihtiyaçlarına göre şekillenmiş, yaşamın birçok alanında kullanılmıştır.