Boyabat Çemberi

Boyabat Çemberi is a cotton textile product woven using traditional methods in the Boyabat district of Sinop Province, primarily used as a headscarf. The product has been registered as a “Geographical Indication” by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office and is protected under Registry No. 126 dated 26 December 2018.

Product Description and Distinctive Characteristics

The Boyabat Çemberi is a square textile measuring approximately 1 m², woven from cotton yarn, with burgundy-edged borders and a central area decorated with various motifs. The weaving process is typically carried out in two equal sections, which are then joined together using traditional circular stitching techniques. Traditional motifs such as “Zincir, Sinek, Aybütünü, Dört Müdür, and Tayyare” are used in the designs.

The yarns used include cotton and synthetic (orlon) fibers. Cotton yarns undergo a local treatment called “çirişleme,” in which they are boiled with wheat flour. In the past, the motif and color patterns of the çemberi were associated with the wearer’s age and social status.

Production Method

The çemberi are woven on traditional handlooms known as “düzen.” White yarn is used for the ground and warp; burgundy yarn for the borders; and multicolored yarns for the motifs. The designs are worked from the backside using different yarns and secured to the weft threads of the ground fabric.

After undergoing the çirişleme process, the yarns are wound onto the warp and stretched on the loom. During weaving, the border edges, contours, and internal motif arrangements are formed according to a predetermined pattern. After production, the pieces are cleaned, sewn together, and dried to make them ready for use.

Boyabat Çemberi (AA)

Geographical Boundary and Oversight

The Boyabat Çemberi can only be produced within the boundaries of the Boyabat district of Sinop Province. The registering authority is the Boyabat Municipality. Inspections are conducted at least once a year by a commission composed of representatives from the Boyabat Girls’ Vocational High School, Boyabat Public Education Center, Boyabat Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Boyabat District National Education Directorate, under the coordination of the Boyabat Municipality.