The DOBAG Rug Project

History: In 1978 Dr. Harald B–hmer, a German chemist living in Turkey sparked a small revolution in the area of rug weaving. B–hmer began analyzing  dyes in old rugs using a technique called thin-layer chromatography, a method devised to analyze priceless textiles with little damage. By carefully comparing the dyes in old rugs to hundreds of plant sources, B–hmer re-identified the original plants giving vibrant natural dyes. As this process had been practically forgotten it was re-taught to a group of weavers who formed a profit-sharing cooperative known as the Natural Dye Research and Development Project, or DOBAG (the acronym for the Turkish translation). The DOBAG Project now supports about 400 families in western Turkey.

Socioeconomic Consequences & Child Labor:The DOBAG Project has been extremely influential in raising the living standards for the weavers and their families. For one thing, the rediscovered natural dyes are substantially less destructive to the environment than the chemical dyes widely in use; but additionally, the Project brought economic prosperity.
The weaving families are now able to buy land, build houses and furnish them. DOBAG weaver's homes have built-on weaving rooms with large windows, piped water and in some  villages even an occasional refrigerator. Thus, the success of the project has brought relative prosperity to the participating villages. As a result, young people are not as willing to leave the villages in search of work in the cities.
A weaver participating in the DOBAG Project must send her children through mandatory schooling. The DOBAG weaver must also be 18 years old before her rug will be accepted by the cooperative.

International Recognition:Today DOBAG rugs are renowned worldwide. In testimony to the DOBAG's authentic quality, the British Museum of London in 1990 acquired a DOBAG rug as part of its permanent collection. DOBAG rugs have been the focus of several museum exhibits.
The Fraem Museum (Bonn) and the DeYoung Museum (San Francisco) have held exhibits on DOBAG. The California Academy of Science in  San Francisco holds an annual exhibit each November featuring the DOBAG weavers. They have also been featured on PBS Television and in National Geographic magazine.