A Study on the Woolen Gloves, One of the Ethnographic Assets, of Hakkari

Abstract

A glove is a garment we wear to protect our hands against different external influences. According to the purpose of use, it is seen that they are made of materials such as leather, suede, fabric, wool, cashmere, nylon, linen and cotton. Among them, woollen gloves are mostly worn in winter to protect our hands from cold. Like woollen socks, woollen gloves have important characteristics in terms of material and appearance. In this sense, they are among important elements of our cultural heritage. Today, as a result of widespread use of gloves made from different materials instead of wool, they carry the risk of disappearing like many other ethnographic works. In spite of all these facts, a detailed scientific study related to these ethnographical works has not been found; hence a study was necessary to be done in this field.

In this study, field work on woollen gloves has been done in different parts of Hakkâri province. Coming across only few pairs of woollen gloves in some villages, it arose our anxiety about this art work. However, as it can be seen in the catalogue study, even though they are few in number, the woollen gloves obtained are of considerable value in terms of material, variety and appearance. By comparing the motifs on the woollen gloves with the ornament on the woollen socks belonging to the same locality, their similarities and differences were tried to be examined. As far as we can see, the motifs on this cultural and artistic element show great similarities with the other motifs on the knitting works socks such as woollen socks of Hakkari and different regions of Anatolia. However, in terms of the tassels at the fingertips of the woollen gloves, it mainly reveals an ornamentation characteristic unique to the Hakkari region. The aim of this study is to contribute to the revitalization and transfer of the woollen gloves of Hakkari region to future generation by attracting attention to their importance in terms of our culture and art.