THE LAST REPRESENTATIVES OF LOST PROFESSIONS 

Writer: Ayça Olcaytu İşçen
October 2007

There used to be a remunerative profession called ‘palan making’ before motor vehicles got in our lives, when horses, donkeys and even camels were used for transportation and carriage.  Palan maker was the man who made palan (a broad soft saddle without frame) which was used for riding the horses and donkeys or for binding freight on them. Materials used for making palans were carpet, felt, reed or wheat stalk, hairy string, cord, telis (a rough and big textile made of strings of herbal fiber) and clip. These simple materials were transformed into a useful palan in the master’s hands and both the animal and its owner felt comfortable. But today, palans are produced in small numbers and they are used as stools or for decorative purposes in touristic facilities. 

“I make palans as long as someone buys”
Veyis Nalbantoğlu, from Güzelyurt, is 74 years old and he has been making palans for 55 years. Uncle Veyis is also a farrier and a pillow maker (the big pillows used for sofa and made of carpet, reed and telis). Despite his age, he opens his shop at 5:00 am, has an after-lunch nap, and works until evening namaz (a Muslim rituel of worship centered in prayer). Uncle Veyis, is getting so enthusiastic while he is telling his history that it’s impossible not to respect his love for his job which he is now dealing not because of need but joy.  “We used to sell 1000-1500 palans a year, I used to make 150-200 pillows a week. For some time, I made pillows until the morning. I make them if someone buys”. He is upset that he couldn’t find someone to teach and maintain this profession. We felt his great sorrow when he said ‘Even my children don’t want to learn this profession’. Afterwards he posed us near his 50 years old Pfaff sewing machine, his palans and pillows. He showed us another sewing machine and said “Probably it is five hundred years old, my father used to use it. It doesn’t work but I keep it. I know my children won’t keep it after my death”.
We said farewell to each other. We were so influenced by his mode and behavior that we have talked about him several times on the following days. Because he is one of the rare craftsmen who represent three extinct professions together.

Note: This article has been published in Peribacası Cappadocia Culture and Publicity Magazine, October 2007 issue. It is under protection of the copyrights of the magazine. No part of this article may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by electronic, mechanical or other means without prior permission from the owner. www.cappadociaexplorer.com