Van's Traditional Handicrafts
Ceramic Processing
The history of ceramic art, whose raw material is soil, dates back to 8000 years. Ceramic processing begins by letting the clay obtained from the soil dry by turning it or by hand and continues until it hardens and is fired. Many embroidery techniques such as plate, border, openwork, sausage, and finger method are used to create these works that do not harm nature and are highly resistant to external factors. In addition, ceramic processing enables the natural production of various objects such as bowls, vases, pen holders, plates, glasses, and jugs, obtained by using mud by recycling.
Rug Weaving
Kilim weaving is one of the most valuable handicrafts inherited by the region's people in Van to deal with animal husbandry. Woven rugs are used in many areas, such as cushions, food bags, children's cradles, pillows, mattresses, and many more, depending on people's needs. In addition, many embroidered rugs feature wolf's feet, rope throttles, ram's horns, elibelinde, budgerigars, scorpion, ram's head, sewn muzzle, and kengöz. This type of rug weaving, unique to Van, reflects the mood of the weaver; sometimes, it carries the traces of unspoken love and affection, and sometimes an unshed tear or disappointment. The most well-known types of Van rugs, the weaving of which varies from region to region, are looper, nehrek, canbezar, gulsarya, şahneri, şehvani, and halit begi. Generally woven in four colors, these rugs frequently come in red, black, Van white, and dark blue colors.
Savatlı Silver Processing
Savat, a handicraft belonging to Van, which was first encountered in the Urartian period, also contains a history of 3000 years. The art of niello is made by processing niello mud, the raw material of silver sulfide, on a silver object. Savatlı silver embroidery, which you can encounter in many different models, has become the focus of attention of domestic and foreign tourists. Savatli silver embroideries are among the most popular jewelry in the city. You can come across these precious silvers, which mother-in-laws handed down from generation to generation by gifting to their brides, sometimes as a thick belt or necklace worn on velvet gowns, and sometimes as a bracelet, hair accessory, ring, or earring.
Sock Knitting
Sock knitting, one of the handicrafts that Van is famous for, has emerged to meet the needs of the region's people but carries traces of the characters of the stories that cannot be told. It is seen that predominantly illiterate people express their feelings and thoughts by using this art. The meanings in the colors used reflect the mood of the person knitting the socks. The color red represents love and affection, white represents love and cleanliness, and black represents grief and despair. Wool yarn is generally used in these works, which are knitted with a total of five needles. The yarn preparation process requires mastery as the thin rope increases the value of the socks. Another feature of these socks, which you will frequently encounter while walking around the city of Van, is that they are seamless. These seamless and fine wool yarn socks are not only indispensable for young girls' dowry; It is equally essential for the groom's dowry.
Needlework
One of Van's other handicrafts is needlework. The little girls of the region, who started the art of embroidery by learning how to draw chains, turned into artisans who could embroider all kinds of needlework until the age of wedding dress. According to the type of lace, cut, pipe, round and pearl-looking beads are embroidered. These laces also vary according to the place where they are used; lecek writing lace embroidered for the bride's dowry, pouch laces embroidered to put a watch or tobacco, village lace embellishing women's underwear, baby set laces for swaddle or undershirt, prayer gauze laces, mawlid cloth napkins, and tablecloth or embroidered decorative laces. There are many types, such as laces.
Walnut Carving
Mortars, trays, candleholders, sugar bowls, dowry chests, spice racks, and many other items are created with walnut carving. For the walnut carving handicraft, which is long and challenging to execute, walnut trees are first cut and turned into planks. It is then baked for three days and left to stand for about 6 - 7 months. After the time is up, walnut carving begins. You can come across these troublesome works with different patterns, mainly in the Bahçesaray and Çatak districts of Van.
Would you like to gift these handicraft products to your loved ones? You can also experience a relaxing stay in the comfortable rooms of Elite World Van, located in the city center; You can buy these handcrafted products for yourself or your loved ones on the way back to your home.