Humans of East - Humans of Kurdistan

“Each country celebrates the new year according to their traditions and everyone celebrates it differently. But I believe that each person’s new year is the day they were born and his new year’s celebrations is that same day because that birthday is the start of a new year in his life, meaning that one year is added to his age and experiences and it is an important day.Clearly no one is in charge of when they are born and it is more about a certain calculation of life, but the fact that you are given a small opportunity to live, is a sweet fortune. These days that are my birthday are one of the best moments of my life, I cannot express how happy I am”. ...

Aug 11 2020

August 11, 2020

“I thought that when my children grow up and start their own families, they would at least be in the same city as me. My sons and daughter-in-laws would be around me and I wouldn’t spend a moment alone, that I will have an even bigger family and there will be warmth in my life, that I would lay back and relax. Today they are each in a different corner of this wide world and I live alone. All our shared memories go back to the pages of old albums and photos.But I give thanks and do not complain that they are safe and have a good life and talk with me”. ...

Aug 08 2020

August 8, 2020

“My name is Wrya, a few years ago I decided to establish a council to protect animals. At the same time, I found out that there are many people who love animals who I have not met yet. I am now treating animals. They bring all kinds of animals to me, like: wolves, foxes, hyenas, snakes, bears, and eagles. I can proudly say that I have established a council single-handedly that works for the sector of wild animals in a scientific and experienced way.I have loved animals since I was a child. I remember back in first grade, I would spend my allowance on cake and would spread it in pieces next to the ants’ nest. It would make me really happy when I saw them drag the cake into their nest. When I grew up, I would also feed any hungry animals I would come across on the streets. I would sometimes stay with stray animals and spend time with them, because my family did not allow pets in the house”. ...

Aug 05 2020

August 5, 2020

“I got married in 1976. We celebrated for 5 days and 5 nights. It was like the whole world came to see our wedding. Blchasur is a village in the Komas region of Mariwan in Eastern Kurdistan, there wasnt space for a needle. Hama Mullah Darziani was our singer.People were very poor at the time. I am surprised people say things are expensive now! People had one set of clothes they celebrated and mourned in. We were poor and that did not allow us to even wear one proper pair of shoes, but we were happy and healthy. It has now been 5 years that I suffer with my leg and it has taken my peace”. ...

Jul 31 2020

July 31, 2020

“I take a handful of soil and think, what is in this soil and what am I supposed to make out of it? There is a kind of love between us. Before I create a work of clay, I go pick the soil for it, because I cannot make something whose soil I don’t know or recognize. Soil is made of broken down remains, the soil that I bring may be what was once the body of a human, of which a handful made it to me. I am responsible for finding out what this soil wants to become? Does the person whose remains are here approve of what I want to create, without my knowledge?” “I often take a handful of soil without thinking and let it spontaneously build in the palm of my hands. If it melts, I won’t prevent it. I just watch and see what shape it wants to take. It is strange when you take dead soil, water it and bring it back to life. This is my style of work and I depend on spontaneity. Whenever I sell a work, I tell the customer please bring it back to me whenever it breaks. That is why my factory has a lot of broken pieces. It makes me glad that it travels around with a customer, but in the end comes back to me” ...

Jul 30 2020

July 30, 2020

“We always think that food is tasty only if it is oily and salty. This has become a must for us and has made us not want to try new ways of cookingWe do not know many of the spices and barely use them, like badian, oregano, cloves, wild marza, and many others that give food a unique taste and flavor. Use some black cumin in soups, or some cinnamon in minced meat soup and see what tasty flavor it will have. I mostly use sumac because it is healthy and tastes good as well. Anyone who tries my food instantly recognizes that I made it because of the spices.” ...

Jul 27 2020

July 27, 2020

“To understand the true meaning of life, I had to face countless births and deaths. I have understood the fact that each person is the bearer of his own message and duty and that he has a specific purpose in life. I believe that my duty in this life is kindness. I have made a promise always try and help the people around me and bring a smile to their faces, so that I can give them hope. This promise has made my duty more difficult. The world looks beautiful to me when children live in peace and parents have confidence and a calm life and everyone is happy.” ...

Jul 23 2020

July 23, 2020

"It is people’s own behavior and thoughts that makes them happy, which is why it is our duty to pass this delightful path on to the next generation as a legacy, to teach then to laugh and tell them there is no time for depression.I think everyone deserves to be happy and it is not fair for anyone to be sad. It is necessary that you have created so many happy moments in your lifetime so that whenever you think, you will only remember the good times. Whether it is a wedding or a birthday or any other celebration, all of these go in your mind as beautiful memories.Instagram used to be a way to just spend time, but it is now part of my life. I can share my happy moments with people on Instagram and make them a little happy." ...

Jul 18 2020

July 18, 2020

"One of the challenges in my life has been fear!, Fear of the time I have lost and all the things I should have done. When I look back on my life, I realize that most of what I worried about did not happen and that fear just took up my time and did not give me a chance to live a more peaceful life. I think most of our worries do not happen, some things are not in our hands. You have to do your own work and do the best you can, and leave the rest to fate and see what will happen.I am now in my own future and my worries gave me nothing useful, they only made me not reach certain goals. And that is the reality, certain things are easy for you and difficult for others, while some others are difficult for you and easy for others. This is how life is, it is better not to fear your thoughts." ...

Jul 15 2020

July 15, 2020

“Getting into college is a difficult path that requires a lot of effort. Girls and boys my age must study constantly and deprive themselves of most visits and going out.This year’s examinations are very crucial for me as a student. Getting into college has certain specifications here, so other than working hard and preparing more, I see no other way out. Determining a clear objective has helped me work harder. No matter what obstacles I face, I will still try to get further ahead in my studies.” ...

Jul 11 2020

July 11, 2020