Traditional tradespeople in Turkey preserve ancestral crafts

In different regions of Turkey, traditional tradespeople are working to preserve ancestral professions despite modern technological shifts.

In Samsun’s İlkadım district, 68-year-old Yakup Kunt continues to operate the grocery store he inherited from his father. Kunt maintains a traditional workflow by using antique mechanical devices, including a hand-cranked calculator and a mechanical scale purchased by his father in 1960. He noted that these tools require no electricity or batteries and expressed concern that his children have not pursued the trade, making it difficult to see who will continue the legacy.

In Ankara’s Çubuk district, 70-year-old İsmail Demirci has practiced stove making and repair for approximately 50 years. Having learned the craft from his father and grandfather, Demirci has adapted from manufacturing wood stoves to selling and repairing coal and bucket stoves. While the rise of natural gas has changed his customer base, he continues to serve residents in villages and owners of hobby gardens, maintaining his production and repair services through seasonal demand.