Transition of a Western dream into an evidence of Guilt: The case of Mekap shoes in Turkey

Abstract

This paper aims to document the case of Mekap-shoes in Turkey upon their social, political and economic testimonies, with a focus on artefacts-politics relationship in the core. Within a polarized society in terms of identity issues, and a partially closed economy with statecontrolled import barriers, Mekap became the first company producing sneakers in Turkey in 1970's. With its stylish, affordable and durable models, suddenly it had gained an important market-share and popularity especially among youngsters and middle classes. But by mid-1980's, the destiny of the shoes had been changed unexpectedly and unintentionally, in parallel to the economic and political shifts in the country; as Mekaps begun to be associated respectively with working class, left ideology and an armed movement, by the help of various actors, especially politicians and mass-media. First appeared in the market by rendering a western dream to middle classes, by time Mekaps turned into sacred terrorist shoes or resistance objects depending on the standpoint.

Symbolic objects in contentious politics

“…The brand was first established in the 1970s in Turkey, with the stated mission to provide workers with safe footwear. Soon associated with the working class, it became a popular shoe among the revolutionary Left (Ozturan 2016). Members of the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK), which has been leading a guerrilla war against the Turkish state since 1984, began wearing the affordable and solid shoe, which was suitable for the difficult mountain conditions in which they lived.…”

“…Members of the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK), which has been leading a guerrilla war against the Turkish state since 1984, began wearing the affordable and solid shoe, which was suitable for the difficult mountain conditions in which they lived. The Mekap became increasingly identified with the PKK when Turgut Özal, during his time as Turkish prime minister, dismissed the guerrillas as a "handful of youth hiking in the mountains, wearing their Mekaps" (Ozturan 2016). With time, the association between the shoe and the terror-labeled 1 PKK went so far that Kurds who possessed them could face investigation.…”