Nuzum Bedspread

Nuzumla Bedspread Carpet is a type of carpet produced in Yaylacık Village (formerly known as Nuzumla), within the Seydişehir district of Konya Province, Türkiye. It is characterized by a long-standing weaving tradition and is crafted using the Gördes knot and bez ayağı technique. These carpets, a product of the weaving culture that developed in this region since the Seljuk period, are distinguished by their high pile height and original motifs.

Registered on 10 February 2025 under Application No. 6769 of the Industrial Property Law, the Nuzumla Bedspread Carpet is protected as a geographical indication. The registration was carried out by the Seydişehir Sub-provincial Governorship.

Nuzumla Bedspread Carpet (Konya Encyclopedia)

Definition and Characteristics

The Nuzumla Bedspread Carpet features a design composition consisting of a navy blue ground, a large yellow border, and small white borders. Its most distinctive feature is the average pile height of 4 to 5 cm, which gives the carpet a fluffy texture. Due to this high pile, the patterns woven with the Gördes knot are visible only on the reverse side. The carpets are rectangular in shape, measuring 109 to 150 cm in width and 157 to 207 cm in length. To enhance durability, they are bordered with a woven edge, and the fringes are made using a single-sided, braided fringe technique. The warp threads are 3/4 Nm in thickness and double-ply, while the weft threads are 2/4 Nm in thickness and single-ply. The pile yarns are double-ply and measure 2 to 2.5 Nm. The weave density is approximately 40 warp threads and 60 weft rows per 10 cm.

The carpets are dyed using beige, white, burgundy, brown, red, yellow, black, green, orange and their shades. Red, yellow and navy blue are the dominant colors in the compositions; white is frequently used, while black defines the outlines of the motifs.

Motifs

The Nuzumla Bedspread Carpet carries a rich cultural heritage through its diverse range of motifs. The following motifs hold significant places in the carpet’s design composition:

• Flower Motif: Geometric floral patterns are used as filler motifs at the center of the ground balls. They present a angular, geometric aesthetic with red outlines.
• Spoon Motif: A geometric motif unique to the region, composed of arrows extending in four directions from the center.
• Hand Comb Motif: A geometric motif woven in triple, quintuple or septuple bar forms resembling a hand or comb.
• Bereket Motif: Symbolizing abundance, this motif depicts fruit and wheat or barley ears; it is placed in the four directions around the central flower motif.
• Ejder (Gun) Motif: Inspired by the dragons of Dede Korkut tales, this motif symbolizes power and victory and is placed in a hooked, geometric style along the diagonals of the ground.
• Baklava Motif: Created as a filler motif from the outer edge inward in the shape of baklava slices.
• Eye Motif: A design known locally as “göz,” used as a filler motif at the center.
• Ram’s Horn Motif: Represents luck, fortune and strength; found along the outer boundaries of the central balls.
• Star Motif: Used as a filler motif at the center as an essential element of geometric ornamentation.
• Earring Motif: Symbolizes the desire for marriage and establishing a home.
• Eight-pointed Star within an Octagon (Turunç) Motif: Eight-pointed stars are arranged within octagons along the large borders.
• Ayak Naaşı: A design adorned with ram’s horn motifs and hooks, used in the edges and beginning embroidery.
• S-shaped (Crossed Waterway) Motif: Typically used in borders and occasionally as a filler motif in the center.
• Waterway Motif: Found in the small borders, symbolizing the flow of water and life.

Nuzumla Bedspread Carpet (Konya Encyclopedia)

Production Process

The production of the Nuzumla Bedspread Carpet takes place entirely within the geographical boundary of Yaylacık Village and reflects the region’s cultural values. The production process consists of the following stages:

Yarn Preparation

The yarn used in the carpets is obtained from sheep’s wool. The fleece is washed after shearing and spun using traditional spindles called “eğirmeç.” The warp yarns are double-ply and twisted, with a thickness of 3/4 Nm; the weft yarns are single-ply and 2/4 Nm in thickness. The pile yarns are double-ply and measure 2 to 2.5 Nm.

Dyeing

Traditionally, the yarns are dyed using natural plant dyes. Before dyeing, a mordanting process is performed using substances such as alum, turunç, lemon peel, milkweed or oregano. Walnut shells yield brown, root dye herb produces red, linden bark gives light brown, and şalba herb yields yellow. In modern times, chemical dyes are also used.

Weaving Technique

The carpets are woven using the Gördes knot. At the beginning and end, a bez ayağı weave of 3 to 21 cm in length is applied. The fringes are single-sided and braided; the edge weave is applied to the warp pairs on both sides using the bez ayağı technique. Knotting is achieved by wrapping the pile yarn around pairs of warp threads, and the pile ends are not cut with scissors. Two weft rows are inserted between every two rows of knots.

Monitoring and Protection

The production of the Nuzumla Bedspread Carpet is monitored under the coordination of the Seydişehir Sub-provincial Governorship. Monitoring is conducted annually, upon complaint or as needed, by a four-member body comprising representatives from the Seydişehir District National Education Directorate, the Faculty of Fine Arts at Selçuk University, NUZUMLA-DER, and an expert representative. The monitoring criteria include material suitability, motif variety, weaving technique and use of the geographical indication mark. The Seydişehir Sub-provincial Governorship, which registered the product, manages the legal processes to protect these rights.

Cultural and Geographical Connection

The Nuzumla Bedspread Carpet is a craft that reflects the historical and cultural fabric of Yaylacık Village. The weaving tradition, sustained since the Seljuk period, combined with the carpet’s unique motifs and production techniques, strengthens the region’s identity. The fact that all production stages occur within the defined geographical boundary preserves the carpet’s inseparable link to the area.