Sakarya Broom

Sakarya Broom is a natural and recyclable hand broom made by local artisans using the flower spikes of broom sorghum, a plant grown within the boundaries of Sakarya province, through traditional methods. This craft, shaped by the region’s cultural heritage, has been passed down from generation to generation until the present day.

The broom-making tradition brought by migrants who settled in Sakarya after the 1912 Balkan Wars gradually integrated with the local fabric and evolved into a deeply rooted production culture.

Established in 1957, the Sakarya Broom Makers Exchange played a leading role in organizing the profession. Broom production became widespread around commercial centers in Adapazarı such as the Chamber of Commerce and the Old Garages, and over time this craft became an integral part of the city’s economy. Today, production continues at the Broom Makers Site within the Agricultural Tools Industrial Zone.

The craft continues to exist through a combination of traditional and modern methods, with knowledge transmitted from father to son and from master to apprentice. However, technological advancements and changing cleaning habits have led to a decline in the number of artisans practicing this trade.

^{Sakarya Broom} (AA)

The raw material for the Sakarya Broom is Broom Sorghum (Latin: Sorghum vulgare var. technicum), a plant cultivated in Sakarya’s soils whose flower spikes are used in broom production. Its grains are used as bird feed.

The production process of broom sorghum consists of the following steps:

• Sowing is done with a hoe in April.
• Harvesting is carried out by hand or with tractor equipment in August.
• The harvested plants are spread on the ground and dried in the sun.
• Seeds are separated and stalks are sorted by length.
• Stalks are processed into broom bristles and prepared for production.

Sakarya Broom production consists of four main stages:

1. Broom bristles are sorted and grouped by length.
2. Bristles are gathered into bundles called “yavru” to form the initial shape.
3. The handle is shaped and joints are prepared.
4. The body is stitched using “tekleme” and “çiftleme” stitching techniques.

Pre-production procedures:

• Broom grasses are moistened.
• Sulfur fumigation is performed to preserve color and maintain flexibility.
• Bristles are shaped using tools such as mallets, foot presses, and spinning wheels.

^{Sakarya Broom Production Stage} (AA)

The Sakarya Broom consists of the following parts:

• Handle: Designed for comfortable grip, with 4–9 joints; each joint is wrapped at least three times with galvanized wire.
• Body: Features a stitched construction with horizontal stitches known as “tekleme” and “çiftleme”.
• Fork: A supportive structure connecting the handle and body; found in forked varieties.

• Weight: 600–800 grams
• Length: 60–70 centimeters
• Handle: 7–9 joints
• Stitching: One tekleme, one çiftleme

• Weight: 200–350 grams
• Length: 30–45 centimeters
• Handle: 4–6 joints
• Stitching: Three çiftleme stitches

• Weight: 600–1000 grams
• Length: 55–65 centimeters
• Handle: 3–4 joints
• Stitching: One tekleme, one çiftleme

^{Artisans Making Sakarya Brooms} (AA)

• Broom length: 30–40 centimeters
• Handle length: 120–150 centimeters
• Stitching: Three çiftleme stitches

• Broom length: 55–60 centimeters
• Handle length: 100–120 centimeters
• Stitching: Five horizontal stitches

• Weight: 500–700 grams
• Broom length: 55–70 centimeters
• Plastic handle: 10–13 centimeters

• Weight: 600–800 grams
• Broom length: 55–70 centimeters
• Handle: 8–9 joints

^{Sakarya Broom Production Stage} (AA)

The main tools used in broom making:

• Floor Workbench
• Broom Knife
• Foot Press and Chain
• Spinning Wheel
• Mallet
• Broom Binding Machine
• Broom Stitching Machine
• Biz (wire-wrapping tool)

The Sakarya Broom has been protected as a geographical indication under registration number 350 dated 14.05.2018 by the Sakarya Chamber of Commerce.

• The inspection authority conducts at least one review per year.
• Production compliance is monitored by the Sakarya Chamber of Commerce.
• Producers who fail to meet registration requirements have their certifications revoked.
• Compliant producers are issued a geographical indication compliance certificate.

^{Sakarya Broom} (AA)

The Sakarya Broom craft faces the risk of extinction due to factors such as the spread of technology, the decline of the apprenticeship system, and the lack of labor security for handcraft-based work. Artisans report declining interest in the trade due to both economic hardship and insufficient social protections.