Abstract

Handicrafts reflects the life style and culture of a society. Shoe-making is one of these unique aspects . Shoe is not only covers the foot for protecting while doing various activities but also an wearing completes the modern style. Since past to present Shoe-making has been one of the most important handicrafts in many Anatolian cities besides some of them is famous for its traditional shoes. The name of the traditional shoe making is Harik. In this work it is aimed to study how to make Harik and its present day, a tradition which sinking into obliviton. The making of Harik, the tradititonal shoe of Bitlis, is explained step by step with the help of photographs. Harik made of hemp cord base and covers the the foot with woven goat hair and it is generally famous for its cooling the foot in summer and good for reumatizmal diseas. Totally hand made, Harik is completed in 4 or 5 days and sold about 300TL for one. Since it is expensive because of much laboured and time consuiming it is popular today. Haydar Yılmaz is the last Harik master working under the Bitlis Provincial Directorateof Culture and Tourism. If it is not found anyones to carry and support this handicraft Harik as an art it will be forgotten soon.