Taka (boat)
Encyclopedia
Taka is a traditional small boat, typical of the Black Sea
shores of Turkey
where they are primarily, but not exclusively, built and used. They can be used in fishing or for carrying small loads and a limited number of passengers. Although not very fast, they are well-balanced and resistant and are especially well-suited for the thick waves of the Black Sea. In Turkey, they are very often built by Laz people
and are associated with Laz culture or with the wider Black Sea culture.
, Amasra
, Bartın
, Kurucaşile
and Şile
, and within İstanbul
, in Silivri
, Ayvansaray and Rumelikavağı districts or quarters. Even when situated in the western Black Sea coasts of Turkey, these boatyards are usually owned, managed and staffed by boatbuilders from the eastern ends of the Black Sea.
Their emergence under distinct and authentic lines is dated to the 19th century, certainly as a result of the experience accumulated over ages. In a short span of time, they became one of the identifying features of the Turkish Black Sea. Their symbol-laden history was further enriched by the services rendered by the taka and their captains and crews during the Turkish War of Independence
, transporting smuggled arms to Turkish armies
in inner Anatolia
. Slightly before that, takas also assured the passage of the Black Sea for Russian emigres
seeking refuge in the turmoil after the Bolshevik Revolution.
For local people, taka was an indispensable means of transport employed through all aspects of the daily life. Until the recent extension of the roads network in the region, Turkey's Black Sea region as a whole largely depended on sea transport in its economy, social life and contacts with the outside world.
Black Sea
The Black Sea is bounded by Europe, Anatolia and the Caucasus and is ultimately connected to the Atlantic Ocean via the Mediterranean and the Aegean seas and various straits. The Bosphorus strait connects it to the Sea of Marmara, and the strait of the Dardanelles connects that sea to the Aegean...
shores of Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
where they are primarily, but not exclusively, built and used. They can be used in fishing or for carrying small loads and a limited number of passengers. Although not very fast, they are well-balanced and resistant and are especially well-suited for the thick waves of the Black Sea. In Turkey, they are very often built by Laz people
Laz people
The Laz are an ethnic group native to the Black Sea coastal regions of Turkey and Georgia...
and are associated with Laz culture or with the wider Black Sea culture.
Description
Their length may vary between 8 to 12 meters (25 to 35 feet) and they are usually conceived in a way as to ensure a load capacity of 5 to 10 tons in weight. Those employed in fishing are generally smaller. Until recent years, they were extensively built in boatyards in (from east to west on Turkey's Black Sea shores) SürmeneSürmene
Sürmene is a town and a district of Trabzon Province in the Black Sea region of Turkey. In ancient times it was also known as Hyssus or Hyssos and Issiporto. The mayor is Fikri Usta ....
, Amasra
Amasra
Amasra is a small Black Sea port town in the Bartın Province, Turkey. The town is today much appreciated for its beaches and natural setting, which has made tourism the most important activity for its inhabitants...
, Bartın
Bartin
-Culture:The city hosts strawberry festivals in spring. The city also has beaches of good quality.-External links:* *...
, Kurucaşile
Kurucasile
Kurucaşile is a town and district of Bartın Province in the Black Sea region of Turkey. The mayor is Mehmet Zihni Sayın ....
and Şile
Sile
Şile is a small holiday city on the Black Sea, 70 km from the city of Istanbul, Turkey. Şile is the also the name of the district and the municipality that contain the city center of Şile...
, and within İstanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
, in Silivri
Silivri
Silivri is a city and a district in Istanbul Province along the Sea of Marmara in Turkey, outside of metropolitan Istanbul, containing many holiday and weekend homes for residents of the city. The largest city in the district is also named Silivri...
, Ayvansaray and Rumelikavağı districts or quarters. Even when situated in the western Black Sea coasts of Turkey, these boatyards are usually owned, managed and staffed by boatbuilders from the eastern ends of the Black Sea.
Their emergence under distinct and authentic lines is dated to the 19th century, certainly as a result of the experience accumulated over ages. In a short span of time, they became one of the identifying features of the Turkish Black Sea. Their symbol-laden history was further enriched by the services rendered by the taka and their captains and crews during the Turkish War of Independence
Turkish War of Independence
The Turkish War of Independence was a war of independence waged by Turkish nationalists against the Allies, after the country was partitioned by the Allies following the Ottoman Empire's defeat in World War I...
, transporting smuggled arms to Turkish armies
Turkish Army
The Turkish Army or Turkish Land Forces is the main branch of the Turkish Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The modern history of the army began with its formation after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire...
in inner Anatolia
Anatolia
Anatolia is a geographic and historical term denoting the westernmost protrusion of Asia, comprising the majority of the Republic of Turkey...
. Slightly before that, takas also assured the passage of the Black Sea for Russian emigres
Émigré
Émigré is a French term that literally refers to a person who has "migrated out", but often carries a connotation of politico-social self-exile....
seeking refuge in the turmoil after the Bolshevik Revolution.
For local people, taka was an indispensable means of transport employed through all aspects of the daily life. Until the recent extension of the roads network in the region, Turkey's Black Sea region as a whole largely depended on sea transport in its economy, social life and contacts with the outside world.
Sources
- "Encyclopedic Dictionary of Black Sea" ("Karadeniz: Ansiklopedik Sözlük", 2005, ISBN 975-6121-00-9) by Özhan ÖztürkÖzhan ÖztürkÖzhan Öztürk is a Turkish writer and researcher. He was a writer for the first Turkish Folklore Encyclopaedia and first encyclopaedic dictionary of the culture, folklore of the peoples Black Sea region of Turkey.- Works :...
- Web site about the culture/history/life and a travel guide for the Black Sea region of Turkey
- Web portal of Turkish shipmodelling aficionados