Nvar Kawan - Humans of Kurdistan

I, Nazanin Hama Rahman, was born in Hawraman and proudly own Dyar Restaurant and Kebab Shop in Balkha village, Hawraman. For the past four years, I have worked alongside my husband and children to establish a seasonal restaurant and kebab shop in this stunning natural setting. Our establishment reflects a distinct cultural character. While our food and kebabs are renowned, the breathtaking scenery has turned our location into a popular tourist destination, attracting numerous visitors daily. We take pride in providing excellent hospitality and serving the finest dishes in the region. When building the restaurant, we used local stone to create a design that harmonizes with the area's natural beauty. Preserving the cultural heritage and respecting the local environment should always take precedence in any new project. ...

Nov 27 2024

27/11/2024

in Humans of East, Humans of South

People call me Mam Darwish, but my real name is Affan Hama-Yousef. I was born in Biara and have lived there for all 68 years of my life. A human-made border has split my country and village into two parts. I built my teahouse right between these borders. Inside its walls, there are no divisions—I serve tea and hot milk to my guests, no matter where they come from. This humble café has become a tourist attraction, drawing visitors from all over the world. The spot where I make tea is on the Iraqi side of the border, while my guests sit on the Iranian side. But to me, it’s all one land—it’s all Kurdistan. ...

Nov 20 2024

20/11/2024

in Humans of North

My name is Jum'a, and I am 62 years old. I have witnessed many events in this city over the years, including my time working at an ancient bathhouse where I cleaned for four years. In the past, people frequently visited the bathhouse, but due to its age—over 500 years old—much of the structure has collapsed. For the past eight years, I have been transforming it into a tea house. Thanks to its rich history, it now attracts many tourists daily. We offer guests traditional Kurdish music and tea, preserving and sharing our heritage. Truly, we are "eating the bread of our history." ...

Nov 06 2024

6/11/2024

in Humans of East

Like many women in my community, I’ve never wanted to just work at home, help my family, and cook. I’ve always wanted to be financially independent, and I believe a woman can both create a warm, welcoming home and run her own business. But living in a small town like Marivan, this hasn’t been easy. ...

Oct 31 2024

30/10/2024

in Humans of East

The prosthetic leg the hospital made for me was painful, so I eventually crafted my own from a willow tree, earning me the nickname Hussein Dartash (Carpenter). I have a deep love for the nature and mountains of Kurdistan. One day, while searching for spring plants along the border between Southern and Eastern Kurdistan, I stepped on a landmine left from the Iran-Iraq war, which led to the loss of my leg. Later, as I moved to Marivan and trained as a carpenter, I found hope in crafting a wooden leg for myself. In the past twenty years, I've created many prosthetic legs for others who needed help rising above life’s challenges. I’ve always expressed my heartache by playing the Shimshal I carved from tree branches in the mountains of Kurdistan. ...

Oct 23 2024

23/10/2024

If I know that someone wants to buy my handicrafts as gifts, I charge as little as possible because I aim to help revive this culture in my country. We Kurds are generous people, and that generosity makes our relationships even more beautiful. I want to play a small part in nurturing that beauty. My name is Chapuka. I've been doing this in Koya for many years, purely for the joy it brings me. I've been retired for a long time now, but I still come every day to create these small, handcrafted pieces. My customers are mostly students and women because they care deeply about the beauty of their homes. My workshop may be small, but it brings a lot of happiness to the hearts of those who visit. ...

Oct 15 2024

15/10/2024

in Humans of East

This Newroz, I will turn sixty and retire from my craft forever. I am probably the last Kurd in Kurdistan who still practices the art of toolmaking, which involves creating items like keys, locks, baskets, knives, and chains. The past twenty years have been the most significant of my artistic life. It all began when I filled my room with my creations, especially those made from canvas and cardboard. Visitors would come to our home and say, "Let's go to Behzad's room." My first workshop was in Sanandaj, and I dedicated my life to this craft for many years. My work is such a deeply rooted art that I could continue it for the rest of my life. However, I feel sorrow, knowing that one day, I may have to abandon my room and art for life's demands. ...

Oct 02 2024

2/10/2024

I was born here in the village of Shene, though I don’t know exactly how old I am. I do know that I was born during the reign of King Faisal. My name is Awla, but people call me Mam (uncle) Awla. I grew up in this village and learned how to farm here, and it’s where my wife left me. My children want me to move to the city and live with them, but the air of this land is what keeps me alive, and my food comes from the earth and water here. If I don’t see these mountains for even a day, I feel depressed. This is my home, and it’s where I belong until the end. ...

Jul 26 2024

26/7/2024