MAKERS | ASIA | TURKEY | WEAVING
Bekir Hervenik | Weaver

In Turkey’s Black Sea region, hazelnut basket weaving unites sustainability, body, and mind. This tradition, embodied by master Bekir Hervenik, follows natural rhythms, supports physical health, and risks disappearing with the advance of modern, global life.
In the Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey, baskets made from hazelnut wood are more than tools for carrying. They are part of a long and balanced relationship with nature. The hazelnut tree grows naturally in this landscape. It has soft, flexible branches and is easy to work with. When the tree is pruned, it does not weaken; it renews itself. If the branches are not cut, the tree slowly dries out. For this reason, basket making does not harm nature but supports its continuity. Hazelnut basketry follows the natural rhythm of the land and represents a truly sustainable way of producing.
This craft creates a holistic connection between nature, the human body, and the mind. It requires slowness, repetition, and attention. Making something by hand, using knowledge passed down through generations, calms the inner rhythm and keeps the maker closely connected to the landscape. In this sense, hazelnut basket making is both an ecological and a men- tal balance practice.

The baskets are shaped according to the humid climate of the Black Sea region. Most stand on small legs and do not touch the ground directly, helping protect them from moisture. For generations, these baskets have been used to carry tea leaves, animal manure, and agricultural loads across steep land. Their form follows the logic of the human body. Weight is spread evenly along the spine. Even when the load is heavy, the basket reduces pressure on the back and helps maintain balance.
The full story appears in the new issue of the magazine: Cabana Issue 25.
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Words by Özlem Erol
Images from Mark Luscombe-Whyte