Handmade organic Cappadocia dolls are sold on gift shops and exhibitions in the Cappadocia Region.Especially these dolls attract the attention of foreign tourists. These babies which are reflecting the clothing culture of the region, are also a source of livelihood for local women.
Cappadocia dolls have been made by women in Soganlı Village of Derinkuyu District of Nevşehir since 1960. Metal bars, cloth pieces and soda caps which are used in Cappadocia dolls production have become the symbol of Soganlı Village. These dolls which are sold in the entire Cappadocia Region, are one of the most important income sources of the village. Due to a big demand of tourists for these dolls, the production of dolls started by a few families has been registered from the Turkish Patent Institute with the Trademark Registration Certificate With the support of Kayseri Governor’s Office and Village Headman İsmail Ablak.
Tourists are interested in products belonging to that region and reflect the culture of the region. Cappadocia dolls also promote the region’s folkloric culture. It symbolizes the people, life and culture of the region in the best way.
Types of Cappadocia’s Babies
Cappadocian dolls made in different sizes and are named according to their clothes.
These;
Dimili (shalwar) baby,
Baby wearing
Knee (apron) doll,
Fez baby,
Three Roses baby,
Kermenli (kirmen) dolls,
Baby with a testicle,
Dimili (baggy) baby boy,
Tulle baby
Velvet Pocketed baby types.
Some of the babies heads are round and some are pointed. They are usually made in sizes of 20, 25, 30 cm.
Cappadocia dolls are an important handicraft that makes the Cappadocia Region at the same time economically contributing region.
Where are Cappadocia Babies Sold?
Cappadocia babies are sold in souvenir shops where tourists visit. These babies are also sold in wall edge exhibitions where peasant women exhibit these dolls with their own labor. In the exhibitions, women sell their Cappadocia Dolls while making dolls. This causes intense interest of tourists.
Soganlı Village famous for Cappadocia Dolls
Soğanlı Village formerly known as Soandos. It is 15 km away from the district center. It is known as the entrance gate of Cappadocia. It is 50 km away from Urgup.
There are about 50 rock churches in the village which are the memories of the Roman and Byzantine Periods. Today, only 9-10 of them are navigable. Other’s entrance was closed and dovecotes were built. It is estimated that it was the episcopal center with its carved rock houses, churches and tombs.
In addition to being famous for its rock churches, Cappadocia dolls spread to the world. Tourists coming to the region buy these babies and take them to their countries as Cappadocia memories.
Cappadocia Babies Story
Hanife Hanım, who lives in Soganlı Village makes a doll from her fabric and tree branch for her grandchild. The child of one of the tourists visiting the region sees and wants this baby. When this baby of the tourist buys this baby doll, Hanife makes one more. Meanwhile, these women continue to make babies with the idea that they can be sold to tourists. With the passage of the time many women in the region start making babies like Hanife Hanım due to the intense interest of tourists for these babies. Thus, Cappadocia babies spread throughout the Cappadocia Region. In 1991, a cooperative was established in the village, and almost every family started producing rag dolls.
Tourists who come to the Soganlı Village to visit the rock-carved churches see these dolls made by peasant women and take them as a souvenir. Thus, his reputation reaches everywhere. Today, the production and sale of dolls continues in the exhibitions opened in the village square. Cappadocia babies can now be found on internet sales sites due their popularity.
The Importance of Cappadocia Babies
Cappadocia Dolls are one of the best examples of folkloric baby art. It provides transferring the folkloric culture of the region in future generations and international cultural exchange. In addition to cultural exchange, it makes a great contribution to the country’s economy when it comes for family, region and city as an important business line. Thus, cultural heritage is documented, transferred to future generations and income is obtained.
We recommend you to buy these beautiful, vivid colors, scales, stones from Cappadocia Dolls on your trip to the Cappadocia Region.
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