An Ethical Approach to Sericulture: Production of Peace Silk in Hatay/Turkey

Abstract

One of the earliest fibers used by mankind is silk, which was first cultivated in China. Mulberry silk is produced from Bombyx Mori which feeds on mulberry tree leaves. Bombyx Mori silkworm, hatching from its egg after 8–10 days of incubation, starts spinning its cocoon around itself on the 25th or 28th day. These cocoons are subjected to dry heat or boiling water which kills the pupae. Most of the silk consumers in Turkey are not aware of the fact that the silkworms are killed before completing their natural life span. On the other hand, the number of consumers has been rising in the world who wants to wear silk without harming the animals. In this study sericulture was done in an ethical way to produce peace silk fabrics and some of the mechanical properties of the fabrics were determined. This study is of value, raising awareness about peace silk and ethical production.

Keywords:

• ethical production
• silk
• peace silk
• non-violence silk
• Ahimsa silk

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Elvan Ozkavruk Adanir

Elvan Ozkavruk Adanir graduated from Ege University, Textile Engineering Department. She completed her master’s in 1992 and Proficiency in Arts in 1997 in social sciences. She received Professorship degree in 2008. Her main interests are textile history, traditional textiles, and peace silk. She has been working in Izmir University of Economics, Faculty of Fine Arts and Design since 2011. [email protected]

Berna İleri

Berna İleri graduated from Dokuz Eylul University, Faculty of Fine Arts, Traditional Turkish Arts Department. She completed her master’s in 2010 and Proficiency in Arts in 2017. Her main interests are textile history and sustainable silk production. She has been working as an Assistant Professor at Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Textile and Fashion Design. [email protected]

Feza Can

Feza Can was graduated from Ankara University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant Protection in 1995. She completed her master’s and Ph.D. degrees in 1999 and 2003, respectively. She received Associate Professor degree in 2012. Her main interests are moths’ species, taxonomy, systematics, and evolution of the Lepidoptera. She has been working in Hatay Mustafa Kemal University since 1998. [email protected]

Başak Ulasli

Başak Ulasli, got her bachelor's degree from Çukurova University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant Protection in 2011. She was appointed as Research Assistant in Hatay Mustafa Kemal University in 2013. She completed her master’s and Ph.D. degrees in 2014 and 2020, respectively. She is working on moth’s species, taxonomy, molecular systematic and evolution of the Lepidoptera. [email protected]