THE ART OF WEAVING DESTROYED IN TRABZON: “LINEN”

Linen fabrics, known as the Trabzon diapers, were among the major weavings that were exported to nearby and far cities since the ancient times. In the written sources, it is known that the people living in the Eastern Black Sea coast from Trabzon to Batumi exported their flax fabrics to foreign countries even in the 5th century BC, and they had widespread fame in the production of linen fabrics. Some of the important livelihoods of the people are grown in the villages, the linen cloth in the city, the ketan cloth, or known as forotiko weavings in the region. These textiles were sold by merchants in other cities. In this study, the history of ketan weaving, as an important source of livelihood of the people produced for long in Trabzon, was reviewed according to the documents and written historical accounts. With regard to the fieldwork carried out in Trabzon and its districts, the study reveals and draws on the present day ketan weaving, weaving looms, woven fabrics and clothing made of these fabrics, stressing the importance of ketan weaving in the history of Turkish textile in Trabzon and the economic importance of Ketan weaving. The study suggests that since Ketan weaving is a livelihood source in the region, certain measures should be taken to ensure its sustainability