Kepenek

For the village, see Kepenek, Horasan.

A kepenek is a thick, tent-like Turkish traditional shepherd's outer garment. It is a sleeveless, buttonless garment made of felt worn on the shoulders and covering the whole body from the shoulders down. It is made of three parts: one for the back and two (the same as the back, cut in half along the length) for the front. The parts are stitched together along the shoulder lines and all the way down. Usually white, a kepenek may have some adornments.[1] Made from wool, or a combination of goat hair and wool, kepenek are also waterproof.[2][3]

A kepenek can be as much as one centimeter thick, and is sold according to weight. The dry weight of a kepenek is typically around 6kg, however if a kepenek is rained on its weight can increase to 10kg.[4] A kepenek is stiff enough to stand erect without any additional support.[5] While usually worn as garments, they may also function as a makeshift tent, allowing mobile shepherds to sleep in cold environments.[6]

  1. ^ KONYA KEÇECİLİĞİNDE ÇOBAN KEPENEĞİ Archived 2014-02-22 at the Wayback Machine (Shepherd Kepenek in Konya Felting), by H. Nurgül BeGiç, Millî Folklor, 2012, Yıl 24, Sayı 94 (retrieved February 15, 2014)
  2. ^ Glassie, Henry (1993). Turkish Traditional Art Today. Indiana University Press. p. 360. ISBN 978-0-253-32555-6.
  3. ^ Fouchier, Sabine (2009-02-12). Felt. A&C Black. p. 20. ISBN 978-0-7136-8494-0.
  4. ^ Ryder, M.L. (1983). Sheep & Man. Duckworth. p. 218. ISBN 978-0-7156-1655-0. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  5. ^ Textiles Magazine. Textile Institute. 1999. p. 15. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  6. ^ Sümer, Faruk (26 August 2013). The Book of Dede Korkut: A Turkish Epic. University of Texas Press. p. 253. ISBN 978-0-292-75834-6.