TINSMITHING: A VANISHING CRAFT - THE CASE OF ISKENDERUN

Since their existence, people have dedicated themselves to altering and transforming available materials to ease their lives and ensure survival with this initiative. Throughout historical eras, these materials ranged from stone to bronze, the latter blending tin and copper. Consequently, the significance of tin, a metal, in human history warrants attention. With the evolution of ages and technological advancements, the local usage of tin, like many other metals, has declined. Consequently, tinsmithing, a craft, has also faded into obscurity. Traditional handicrafts are among the phenomena reflecting a nation’s culture and lifestyle. Traditional handicrafts, evaluated within the category of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), are struggling to hold on today, as being doomed to exctinction. Among these is tinsmithing, as mentioned. At this point, it is known that tinsmithing, an old craft, exists in very few regions in Turkey. The place called “the Last Tinsmith” located in the İskenderun district of Hatay is trying to keep the tradition alive as the only tinsmith in the region.In this context, this study focused on the survival efforts of tinsmithing, which is a significant value, under challenging conditions, practical stages of the craft have been followed, and the master’s views and recommendations on the future of tinsmithing have been gathered. The place of a profession striving to survive in the age of ready consumption in the current order was discussed. The interview technique was used in the research and the recorded data was supported by literature review.