*Hasan Karanlık from Bostancı, after his retirement, he gave himself to handicrafts andsince then for 20 years he has been making caches that shepherd's use as a bag in the ancient times up until today.

Mine AVKIRAN NUR

Cache is one of the belongings of the Cypriot culture. The cache, a shepherd's bag typical of Cyprus from ancient times, is made of goat and billygoat’s skin. The cache has the ability to be used for years without being damaged. In some Cypriot houses it is possible to see centuries-old caches. Today, although almost no one has an interest in this object, Hasan Karanlık still continues to make caches.

Hasan Karanlık, who lives in Bostancı village of Güzelyurt, is one of the 70-year-old retired healthcare workers. Karanlık, deciding to deal with handicrafts as a hobby after retirement, he found a piece of leather and made a cache. When people were interested in Hasan Karanlık`s caches, he bought goat skin and began to make caches.

“I’m the master and the apprentice”

Hasan Karanlık said that he learned how to make caches as a result of small researches and did not get any education on this. “20 years ago I decided to make a cache and I did. Of course, there is a great difference between the caches I made in the beginning and the ones I make now. Previously I did not have the necessary tools, I did not know the subtleties. I became a master in caches both when I bought the tools and by making continuous trials. Actually, I'm an apprentice and a master” he said.

Shepherds and hunters use the cache

Karanlık states that the cache has the ability to preserve food and beverages without going off, therefore shepherds, scalpels and hunters use this bag in the fields.The cache is made from raw leather obtained from the processing of goat and billygoat skin. Hasan Karanlık reminds that the cache has waterproof properties and it is able to protects its contents against harmful animals such as snakes and mice.

On the cache to be used by the hunter, Hasan Karanlık said that a pocket and a coat hanger was made on the post. “A knife was put into the post for the hunter to use. In addition, a hanger was attached to it made out of leather again and the hunted animal would be carried on this hanger.”

Hasan Karanlık stated that the enthusiasts still exist but these people also buy the cache as a decoration. “There are not many people using the cache as there was in the past. I sell a maximum of 50 caches per year. I can get a cache ready in three days” he says.

There are varieties of cache differed by region

Giving information about cache types, Karanlık shares the knowledge that broad bottom and long tassels caches belong to Mesarya and narrow bottom and short tassels caches belong to Paphos region.

Hasan Karanlık said that although it seems easy, there are some tricks for the cache production, “I pick up the goat skin to be used for caches from the leather factory and examine it before. I don't take the skin with a hole in it. After I get the leather, I come to my workshop and start making it. Making caches requires fine workmanship. Even the hangers of the cache are made of leather. Uncovering these hangers is also troublesome. After revealing the cache, I attach the beads and the shells collected from the sea to the tassels on it ”.

Evaluates residual pieces of leather

Karanlık evaluates residual pieces of leather, he makes wallets and bells that are hung on goats and sheep. Those who are in animal breeding buy these bells for their sheep.

Hasan Karanlık, one of the names preferred by cache enthusiasts due to his clean labor, “Those who know that I do cache know. Anybody finds nice things anyway. Some media organisations, as well as a television channel in Turkey came to Cyprus and hada shoot in my workshop, "he says.

Those who are curious about Cyprus-specific items can contact Hasan Karanlık on 00 90 542 855 50 19.