CARPET WEAVERS AND WEAVING IN THE ... - Cornell University

The literature indicates that craft production may be a subsistence activity or a
means of generating income. While many forms of production may exist in one place,
the displacement of peasants worldwide has led to a search for an alternate means of
making a living. Globalization and economic development can encourage artisanship
by bringing labor saving devices into the home or generating enough cash through
employment that artisans have time to practice their crafts. It can also put artisans at a
disadvantage through competition with cheaper manufactured goods or handmade
goods from places with lower labor costs. Work as an artisan can allow people to
survive outside of the global market, but, being part of the informal economy, artisans
are less likely to have social security and other insurance benefits and are more likely
to be exploited as laborers.
This review of previous research on women in rural Turkey and weavers in
Turkey discusses how the global market affected weavers and rural Turkish women in
general. Some issues raised by this research include: What is the likelihood of women
to continue weaving as economic development brings cash and goods to their
communities? Are women in rural Turkey more or less independent when working as
artisans? In what ways has global competition affected the carpet industry?
2.2.1 Women as artisans
Adoption of capitalist modes of production rewards people differentially, often along
class and gender lines (Colloredo-Mansfeld 1999, Stephen 1993, Cook 1993, Mies
1982). Community members who are able to move from production to distribution
often make much more money than the artisans themselves (Stephen 1991). Artisans
can become marginalized through a lack of education and experience, which makes
them less able to conduct business with foreigners (Stephen 1993, 49).
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