DOMANİÇ BELT WEAVE / CİCİLİ KUŞAK

Kütahya Domaniç, known as the plateau of Ertuğrul Gazi, is one of the important centers of the Ottoman Empire. Kütahya Domaniç Belt Weave, also called cicili kuşak, has been an important element of traditional clothing in the region. It is woven in Çukurca village in the Domaniç district of Kütahya in plain weave with wool warp and weft and with a black thick and white thin striped pattern to be used in belt production. After the weaving is finished, embroidery, tassels, and pompoms are added to both ends. The fabric is woven to be approximately 50 cm wide and 475 cm (7 arschins) long. It is sewn diagonally through bending with half a meter of the fabric at both ends left loose. After bending, the length of the belt is approximately 330 cm. Natural color black and white wool is used in belt weaving. The weave, which is called “cicili kuşak” in the region, is used as a belt in Kütahya-Domaniç traditional wear. It is a traditional clothing item woven especially for use at weddings. It is known that there are two people who weave belts in Çukurca Village today. Traditional clothing and belt usage at weddings still continues in the region.