WALKING STICK MAKING

It is possible to say that the tree is one of the greatest helpers of humans throughout the history. People fed their belly with their fruits, relaxed in their shadows, rested in their hollows, so people had a unique relationship with trees. People built homes, houses of worship, public spaces; also made their daily gadgets and turned woodworks into art and craftsmanship. Among the Turkish craft traditions, walking stick making is an important one. Walking sticks made out of walnut trees are mostly demanded because they are both functional and used as accessories. Trees that are cut in certain sizes are passed through various processes and then started to be produced as walking sticks. The walking stick has three parts; the handle, the body and the tip; the ornamental elements are often gathered at the handle. Different materials (horns, bones, etc.) may be preferred in a bowl-shaped, hook-shaped and figure shaped handle. In addition, the body can be decorated with techniques such as carving, engraving, and painting. Relating the use of walking stick with nobility, authority, wisdom, and elegance in various cultures increase the importance given to this object. Nowadays, the production centers of the walking sticks are Zonguldak’s Devrek, Bitlis's Ahlat, Sakarya's Tarakli districts and also Karabük.