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

Figure 2.5 Graph-paper carpet patterns from DOSIM in the village of Comlekci
(photo by author)
The role of the government in support of carpet weaving will clearly be a
significant factor to consider in this research. What has been the effect of current
attempts by the government to be involved both in the weaving industry and in the
lives of individual weavers? What is the state of the Social Security issue? How
successful are efforts to promote weaving as both income generation and cultural
heritage?
2.4.5 Directions for further research
Much of the research cited here was undertaken between 1972 and 1985. Turkey has
undergone many changes in the last 20 years. While Hart’s research took place more
recently than that of the other investigators, she focuses on the uniqueness of the
situation that she studied.
The effects of events such as the economic crisis of 2001, the increased
importance of tourism to the Turkish economy, the stabilization of the Lira and the
expiration of the Multifiber Arrangement in 2005, on the weaving industry and
weavers themselves all need to be addressed.
Breu and Marchese’s research was also conducted relatively recently, but they
interviewed carpet dealers and not weavers themselves. This is problematic as dealers
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