Haçlı Seferleri Sürecinde Dokuma Evleri: Mısır Örneği
Weaving Houses during the Crusades: The Case of Egypt

Summary/Abstract: The unique weavings of the East, supported by the historical Silk Road, were produced in weaving houses called Ṭirāz from Baghdad to Cairo. The elegant fabrics woven in Egypt, in particular, dressed many vital people from Pharaohs to Hellenic queens, from the Pope in the Vatican to great rulers who left their mark on history, and reflected the power and grace of their times. This situation was interrupted from time to time with the arrival of the Crusaders to the region, and was also shaken by dynastic changes. Egypt, with its colorful and mysterious history from the Pharaohs to the rulers of the Roman domination, has a special place in this regard. Ancient Egypt took on a new face with its lively history ranging from the first Islamic conquerors to the Umayyads, from the Abbasids to the Fatimids. The shift of trade from Baghdad to Cairo since the Xth century has increased the importance of Egyptian weaving houses. Through the Red Sea, he began to flow the precious silks and unique velvets of India and China to Cairo and other centers. After that, the weaving of jagged fabric continued in cities such as Tune, Sheta, Damietta, Alexandria, Dabīḳ, Behnesā, Feremâ, and Cairo, the new administrative center of the Fatimids. From 1099 onwards, Fatimids and their successors opened a new page by having to live with the Crusaders. During the Crusades, the fifth and seventh Crusades were held in Demiatta, which is located in the heart of the weaving centers, and it included the most active period of this process. In order to get rid of the negativity experienced, the Egyptian Ayyubid ruler al-Malik al-Kāmil (1218-1238) offered the Crusaders the port cities of Latakia and Jabala in the southeast of it in exchange for Damietta, which is also known for its weaving houses, in 1219, but the Crusaders accepted this brilliant offer. We can also associate it with the richness of the weaving houses here. Egyptian weaving houses also drew historical figures such as Saladin and Sultan Baybars into the events, and their competent administration of weaving houses revealed why they have such a great reputation. After Saladin ended the Fatimid rule and dominated Egypt in 1171, the weaving houses continued on their way almost in the same direction. Saladin revealed the value he attached to weaving houses by appointing an officer named Ibn Sanāʾ al-Mulk to Dār al-Ṭirāz in Cairo. On the other hand, Damietta and Alexandria, the most important addresses of the Egyptian weaving houses, were like a brief summary of the expeditions in Egypt, once again revealing that the true aims of the Crusaders who wanted to plunder the riches of these places were money and power, not holy. Important places such as Damietta and Alexandria showed up with their economic identities as well as their strategic locations. This process led to a better understanding and clearer evaluation of the Crusades.

• Details
• Contents