After learning the art of painting and processing calabashes in a course supported by the Samandağ Public Education Center, local women are using their new skills to turn the gourds into a variety of decorative items, such as lamps, chandeliers, baskets and flowerpots, which are then sold in domestic and international markets.
Samandağ Public Education Center Manager Ali Yeter noted that the products are very beautiful, and the artists exhibit and sell their handicrafts in various fairs and exhibitions.
After successfully completing the calabash processing course, the women can create decorative artwork either at home or in various workshops. "Our more than 100 courses are mostly for women and here, instead of staying home alone, women get the chance to socialize and also contribute to the income of their families," said Yeter.
Master trainer Nedim Yalçınkaya explained that they have taught many women the art of processing calabashes, enabling women to economically contribute to their families' budgets. The calabashes are collected from the shores of the Asi River, processed and turned into various functional and decorative products.
He further stated that the calabashes, which have no intrinsic economic value by themselves, become functional art in the hands of the women. They have received support from the governorship of Hatay and represented Hatay at Hatay Days organized in Istanbul, Ankara and İzmir. "We have promoted and sold the products of the women who attended the course and have received orders from within and outside of Turkey," Yalçınkaya said.
Figen Vuruşkan, who processes calabashes, noted that she just attended the course nine months ago as a hobby, but she liked the art and is currently selling her work to support her family. Hatice Aksoy, who has been creating this art for the past five years, stressed that the process is not as easy as it may seem as there are many stages in the preparation and that she usually draws Islamic motifs on her calabashes. She also noted that she receives orders for both local and international market.
