Nvar Kawan - Humans of Kurdistan

Mar 26 2025

26/03/2025

In my work as a kolber (border porter), I endured great pain and hardship, so I decided to quit that difficult job. With the help of friends and the support of my family, I started working in sculpture. My name is Omer Pezeshkiyan, and I am from the village of Kolan in Marivan. I am 43 years old and have two children. I collect and use the dry wood that people throw away as trash, and I use it to create sculptures. Now, I love my work very much and enjoy working on the details. This has created demand for my sculptures both inside the country and even abroad. I have opened several solo exhibitions that have been well received. I make a living by selling my artistic works, and my dream is to open a special exhibition in Italy in the near future. ...

Mar 19 2025

19/3/2025

by Nvar Kawan

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in Humans of North

Story of a Kurd from Northern Kurdistan For many years, I had been far from my homeland and lived in Istanbul. I always had a deep longing in my heart, and my mind was with my birthplace. So five years ago, I made a final decision and returned to Amed. Since childhood, I had a passion for photography, so shortly after moving back home, I thought about establishing a studio specialized in capturing iris photography. As the first person in this field, I opened the first studio in my city. Photography is a very unique profession, especially the style I work with - capturing images of the iris. The iris contains all the details of the eyes. Previously, I thought eyes only had primary colors, but through iris photography, I realized that each eye contains dozens of different and fascinating colors. The eye is like a fingerprint, and the lines in each person's eye are different from another person's. The people of Amed have a great appreciation for iris art and visit me to have their photos taken. They frame these images in decorated circles and frames, or give them as gifts to their loved ones. In my opinion, this is a very enjoyable and meaningful gift. There are even people who ask to photograph the eyes of their cats and dogs, because the details in animal eyes are more fascinating than in human eyes. ...

Mar 12 2025

12/03/2025

by Nvar Kawan

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in Humans of West, Uncategorized

چیرۆکی کوردێکی ڕۆژئاوا I am (Ahmed Kro), from the Kurdish city of (Kobani) in Syria. I am 55 years old and from the time I reached adulthood until this moment, I've been working in shoe repair. We were poor, and there was no other profession for me to learn. In the past, the profession of shoe repair (cobbling) had a good profit, because people, instead of buying new shoes, would repair their old ones. But today it's the opposite, people buy new shoes instead of repairing their worn and old ones; besides, most of today's shoes are made of plastic, cardboard, and ordinary materials, so they cannot be repaired, which is contrary to the past, when shoes were made of leather and authentic materials and even if they got damaged, they could be repaired several more times. Since there is no electricity now or it has been reduced, I cannot use sewing machines to repair shoes. This has caused me to repair only three to four pairs of shoes daily, a very low number compared to previous years. From morning till evening, my days pass like this under this exhausting ceiling. Currently, I live with my wife and son. My son wants to learn the same profession, but I advised him to study or learn another profession, which was of no use. ...

Mar 05 2025

03/05/2025

by Nvar Kawan

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in Humans of South

In the villages of (Pishdara Raqa), where mountains meet the sky and the earth opens its arms to them, lives a 54-year-old shepherd named (Mam Rasul). Mam Rasul has spent part of his life in these mountains and records the secrets of his life with his livestock. Behind Mam Rasul's shepherd life, a deep philosophy can be felt when every morning, as the sun's rays appear from the mountain peaks, he leaves home and spreads the sound of his animals' bells throughout the valleys while listening to the birds' songs and the roar of rivers. For Mam Rasul, shepherding is not just a profession, but a way of feeling freedom in nature's embrace, allowing him to let go of his worries. This natural calm and reassurance is a balm for healing his psychological wounds. Mam Rasul himself says: When I go to the mountains with my livestock, I see beautiful nature and breathe clean air, my heart fills with joy. Shepherding is the medicine for all ailments and saves the mind from sorrow. I prefer living with livestock over everything else. ...

Feb 26 2025

26/2/2025

by Nvar Kawan

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in Humans of East

I began with the profession of carpentry. Like a mother who raises her child with love and affection, I worked with wood with the same tenderness and passion. For this reason, people appreciated my work. My love for aesthetics and delving deeper into this art didn't allow me to pursue secondary work, and earning money wasn't important to me. Therefore, when I saw that my handicrafts and artistic products were being sent abroad, it was a source of pride for me. I have never imitated others' work; I've always sought unique and different work. Instead of imitating, I preferred to create my own innovations and produce new and beautiful things. That's why if someone asks me to create something, I desire to add innovation to it. On that note, I am currently busy making a drum (dahol) for my daughter. Previously, I made zurna and balaban instruments for my son. By doing these things, I reassure myself that in this short life, we should live for the heart, not for money. ...

Feb 19 2025

19/02/2025

by Nvar Kawan

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in Humans of North

It had been my dream for many years to establish a sewing workshop, but I kept postponing the idea out of fear that I wouldn't be able to make this dream a reality. Later, when my daughter grew a bit older and went to school, the time finally came to work on my dream, and I established my own sewing workshop. My name is Mona. My mother's family is Arab, and my father's is Kurdish. My father's relatives called me Muna, which stayed that way, so I named my workshop Muna and said: "Whatever happens, let it happen!" Because it's never too late to make our dreams come true, and we don't know what life will bring us! If you also have any dreams, try to achieve them because the moment you reach your dream is a very special feeling that cannot be described. ...

Feb 12 2025

02/12/2025

by Nvar Kawan

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in Humans of West

The trees used in charcoal production are taken from damaged trees and excess branches, so no harm comes to nature and the environment. We do not suggest cutting down beneficial green trees, and we protect the environment as much as we can. My name is Ali Ahmad. I am from Kobani (in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria) and work in the natural charcoal industry. Charcoal production requires several precise, sequential stages, from collecting tree branches and cutting them to gathering them in a pyramid shape and then reaching the production stage. First, we cover the collected wood with soil and then monitor the pile of wood from inside as it slowly burns. Then, the process is carefully monitored to ensure that the wood color changes to the known black color and breaks into small pieces in such a way that after this stage, which takes one week, the charcoal is finally ready for use. In recent years, my brothers and I learned charcoal making from one of our relatives. Now, it has become our only source of income through which we secure our daily livelihood. The charcoal is sold in markets at different prices according to quality, and for each kilogram, the price reaches approximately 10 Syrian pounds. ...

Feb 05 2025

5/02/2025

by Nvar Kawan

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in Humans of South

My name is San'an Fayeq Mohammed. I was born in 1976 and am from the village of (Hanay Din) in the district of (Khurmal). I inherited the cotton-fluffing profession from my ancestors, and I am the only person in the Hawraman region who has been engaged in this work for 26 years, making my living from it. Cotton-fluffing is an ancient profession in the region. It involves making pillows, quilts, mattresses, and several other necessities, incorporating patterns, designs, colors, and craftsman's techniques. Until the end of the 1990s, the Sharazur plain was a source of cotton cultivation that provided raw materials for the profession and met more than the local demand. However, nowadays, due to imports, foreign products, and technological advancement, the profession has declined and is at risk of disappearing. I doubt that my children will continue this beautiful and heartwarming profession after me. ...

Jan 29 2025

29/01/2025

by Nvar Kawan

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in Humans of East

My name is Parisa Rahimi. I am 28 years old. Although I hold a master’s degree in computer engineering, my true passion has always been horseback riding. I have been an equestrian for 15 years and currently work as a coach at a club in Sanandaj. Horseback riding is an ancient and unique sport that offers both physical and mental tranquility. Throughout my career, I have competed in several equestrian tournaments across Iran and East Kurdistan, earning first--, second, and third-place titles. I also served as vice president of the Sanandaj Equestrian Board for four years. I hold an official Class III Coaching Federation Certificate in equestrianism and a specialized qualification for training individuals with disabilities. I have dedicated my life to this profession and take great pride in sharing the beauty of this sport with others. ...

Jan 22 2025

22/1/2025

by Nvar Kawan

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in Humans of East

Uncle Tofiq is a special needs person. He is 84 years old. For about 50 years in the town of Hasanawa in Sanandaj, he has been busy repairing oil lamps and samovars and installing burners to stoves. He has emerged as a skilled and talented craftsman and continues his profession to this day. In addition to his lamp-making work, he also works as a folk healer for people with fallen navels*, helping to restore them. Although Uncle Tofiq is deaf, he understands customers' and patients' requests through sign language and has developed excellent relationships with those around him. *Nave sliding is an abdominal wall defect, and gastrointestinal and psychological problems are listed as the most prominent signs and symptoms. ...

Jan 15 2025

15/1/2025

by Nvar Kawan

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in Humans of West

Here in Kobani, people know my shop as "Msse," named after my former business partner with whom I used to repair winter heaters and cooking equipment, especially those that ran on gas (diesel). From childhood until now, I'm over 60 years old, I've been in this same profession. I hope my son, who has been learning under my supervision for years, will continue this work. Although I've told him he's free to learn another profession that might be cleaner and more organized than this one, he insists on staying in this trade. We own the oldest Kurdish shop in Kobani, which repairs household items, particularly fire-related equipment. Unfortunately, nowadays, with technological advancement and reliance on electrical power, things have become more manageable. Still, the situation remains unchanged for the Kurdish people as we've been accustomed to complex and heavy work since ancient times. This profession is still in high demand because the region is going through wartime conditions, and people are forced to rely on old cooking and heating equipment. ...

Jan 08 2025

8/1/2025

by Nvar Kawan

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in Humans of South

I inherited the construction trade from my family. My father used to tell me stories about my grandfather, a skilled wall craftsman renowned in Akre. Many houses in the Josteyi-Goravey neighborhood still testify to his craftsmanship. My father and grandfather had close friendships with the Jewish families who once lived in the area. I studied in Akre until the fifth grade, and I still recall my father telling me, ‘Go study and don’t take up my profession—it’s tough and complicated.’ However, after his passing, I found myself following in his footsteps, and I’ve now been working as a builder for 25 years. A project has been initiated to restore the two historic neighborhoods of Akre and transform them into a cultural heritage site. Sadly, only two of us are left in the area, skilled in traditional stone wall craftsmanship. So far, we’ve restored 14 houses and a cultural restaurant as part of this project. ...

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