Fırat Neziroğlu: From Tradition to the Future with the Anatolian Textile Network

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As a Wearable Technologies Consultant at Informatics Valley and the Textile Technologies and Design Coordinator at Bahçeşehir University's Creative Industries Center, I set out to explore the Angora goat, an endemic species native to Ankara.

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The foundation of this effort goes back to a significant initiative supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and carried out by the Ankara Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry under the direction of @siringul.aksu: “A History Woven by Women’s Hands – Women Weaving Sof.”

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The population of Angora goats, a valuable heritage of Anatolian lands, had dwindled to near-extinction levels. Following soil analyses, plants suitable for the goats’ diet were cultivated, and shepherds were trained to ensure proper care for the animals.

Through the Women Weaving Sof project, the Angora goat population increased to 212,523 in 2021, while mohair production reached 349,416 tons the same year.

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In the districts of Nallıhan and Güdül, sof weaving workshops were established. Seven sof looms and related equipment were provided—four in Nallıhan and three in Güdül—for 16 volunteer women aged 18-50. Prof. Dr. Aysen Soysaldı brought invaluable energy and expertise to this project.

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The fabrics woven with Angora goat mohair are currently being analyzed at Süleyman Demirel University’s Radiology Department for their UV filtering properties.

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With this project, we aim to bring the ancestral wisdom of Anatolia into contemporary life, connect women artisans across the region, and enhance the value of their labor through innovative designs.