Gaziantep craftsman preserves leatherworking tradition with daughter

In Gaziantep, 58-year-old Ekrem Yılmaz has transitioned from a career in mobile phone technical service to the traditional craft of saraciye (leatherworking) due to eye health issues. After learning the trade in the historic Bakırcılar Çarşısı, Yılmaz has mastered the production of various animal-related leather goods, including dog collars, saddles for cows and horses, and various saddlebags.

To ensure the survival of this traditional craft, Yılmaz is training his children in the trade. His 11-year-old daughter, Arzu Ela Yılmaz, assists him with tasks such as stringing beads and making collars during her free time after school.

The business maintains a broad market reach, shipping products across Turkey to locations as far as Edirne, and exporting goods to Arab countries, including Syria and Saudi Arabia.