Barbering

Barbering is a profession focused on cutting, styling, and maintaining human hair and beards. Historically, it also encompassed various health services such as circumcision, dentistry, and cupping therapy. Current professional practices include hair coloring, blow-drying, and specialized hair and skin care services.

A Barber Shop in Türkiye (AA)

Etimology

The term barbering entered Turkish from the Italian barbièr / barbiere (“one who shaves beards”).^【1】 This word derives from the Italian barba (“beard”). Thus, etymologically, barbering refers to “one who attends to or cuts beards.” The word “berber” was adopted into Turkish from Persian.^【2】 This connection aligns with the profession’s primary focus on facial hair care. Similar roots are found in Western languages (English barber, French barbier). Additionally, in the early 20th century, particularly with the spread of wig-making and Western-style hairstyling services, the profession was occasionally referred to by its French-derived term “Perükâr.”

Historical Development of the Profession

The profession of barbering extends back to ancient civilizations including Ancient Egypt, Assyria, Phoenicia, and Hellenistic cultures. In these societies, barbers performed functions beyond mere aesthetic services, assuming religious, social, and even medical roles.

Origins in Ancient Civilizations

• Ancient Egypt (c. 5000 BCE): Barbering is among the earliest known professions. In Ancient Egypt, barbers were regarded as high-status personal care specialists, and hygiene became an integral part of social life.

• Ancient Greece and Rome: Barber shops were central hubs of social life in these civilizations. In Rome especially, being clean-shaven and well-groomed became a symbol of civilization and social status.

Barber-Surgeons in the Middle Ages

In medieval Europe, barbers expanded the medical dimensions of their profession:

• Medical Practices: Beginning in the 12th century, following papal decrees prohibiting clergy from performing bloodletting (surgical procedures), barbers took over surgical tasks such as bloodletting (phlebotomy), tooth extraction, abscess treatment, and wound dressing.

• Institutional Separation: In England, barbers and surgeons merged under a single guild in 1540, but this combined medical and surgical practice was officially dissolved in 1745, when they became separate organizations. This separation returned barbering to its core functions of personal care and aesthetic services.

Barbering in the Ottoman Empire and Its Social Role

During the Ottoman period, barbering became an integral part of social life. In early Ottoman times, men who cut hair and beards were known as halik or ser-teraş.^【3】 Initially serving in the corners of coffeehouses, barbers moved to independent shops after IV. Murat ordered the closure of coffeehouses. In the post-Tanzimat era, specialization increased; some groups branched off into medical professions such as surgery, dentistry, and pharmacy.

Barbering During the Ottoman Period (picrly)

• Wide Range of Services: Ottoman barbers provided not only hair and beard cutting but also fundamental medical and surgical services such as tooth extraction, circumcision, and cupping therapy. By the late 19th century, as the healthcare system modernized, these medical procedures were prohibited from being performed by barbers.

• Social Space Function: Barber shops (or early barber corners in coffeehouses) functioned as centers of social interaction where news, political opinions, and social critiques were exchanged, serving as platforms for public opinion formation.

• Tools and Attire: The main tools used by barbers included razors, razor strops, beard combs, soap, shaving brushes, peştamals, shaving mirrors, water vessels (sitil), towels, and ointment bottles. Their attire featured embroidered shirts, mintans, şalvars, embroidered peştamals, felt caps, and fezzes. Some barbers adorned their fezzes with scissor-shaped ornaments to demonstrate their tooth extraction skills.

• Place in Art and Culture: Barbering was frequently depicted in Ottoman miniatures and figurative paintings. Detailed scenes of barbers, their attire, tools, and client interactions appear in works such as Levni’s miniatures and the Ralamb Costume Book.

Modernization and Change

From the reign of II. Abdülhamid onward, Western-style barber shops opened, known as “perukar,” featuring modern furniture and equipment. These establishments also sold products such as cologne, hair dye, canes, and umbrellas. During the Republican era, the term “perukar” fell out of use and “berber” was once again widely adopted.

Current Service Scope

Modern barbering has expanded to focus on personal aesthetics and care.

• Core Services: Barbering includes basic practices such as hair cutting using scissors and clippers, traditional and modern beard shaving, and shaping of beards and mustaches.

A View of a Contemporary Barber Shop pexels)

• Aesthetic and Chemical Treatments: Modern barber shops also offer various hair styling and chemical treatments such as hair coloring, bleaching, blow-drying, and perming.

• Care Services: Barbers further enhance the personal care experience by providing additional services such as hair and skin masks, facial massage, and eyebrow and ear cleaning.

Entry into the Profession and Qualification Certificates

In the Republic of Türkiye, practicing barbering is subject to legal requirements and specific educational standards.

• Educational System: Entry into the profession is traditionally carried out through the apprenticeship, journeyman, and master system.

• Certification: Upon completion of practical and theoretical training, workers receive Journeyman and Master Certificates from the Vocational Education Centers (MEB).

• Opening a Business: To independently open and operate a business, a Master Certificate is generally required. This process aims to ensure professional standards and compliance with hygiene regulations.