Humans of South - Humans of Kurdistan

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. ...

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 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

In 1978, the villages of Hawraman were destroyed by the former Iraqi regime. The villages were abandoned, and the original culture and character of Hawraman were wiped out, leaving no houses or walls standing. Since the 1991 revolution and the subsequent reconstruction of the villages of Kurdistan and Hawraman, I have worked as a stone master in Hawraman. I have built most of the houses and walls in Hawraman and the surrounding villages. My name is Jihangir Mustafa, and I am a 58-year-old resident of Balkham Village. I work as a stone wall craftsman to earn a living. I have a passion for construction work, as it helps preserve the beautiful scenery of Hawraman and maintain the region's cultural heritage. I love my profession and want the new generation to learn about the ancient culture of Hawraman. I inherited this craft from my parents, and I have made efforts to teach others so that the original culture of Hawraman continues after I am gone. I love my profession and want the new generation to learn about the ancient culture of Hawraman. I inherited this craft from my parents, and I have made efforts to teach others so that the original culture of Hawraman continues after I am gone. ...

May 24 2023

March 6, 2023

“It's been half a century since I’ve worked as a textile repairer in Khanaqin; I wanted to quit a couple of times, but my love for my customers made me continue. Some families bring their mattresses, quilts, and pillows to repair or buy new ones from me. They’re used to these authentic materials, but unfortunately, people are slowly favoring exported goods. As long as those are available, people don’t want to wait three to four days for handmade ones. Our work is mentally and physically tiring; your brain is always tired because you focus on each stitch you sew. And it messes up the eye for concentrating on the needle for too long. I feel like my eyes are too tired, but this is life. I have lived it this way and will continue to do so.” ...

April 6, 2023

““I was a child when my grandfather passed away in this house. A year later, two of my uncles lost their lives in a car accident, and my father died at their funeral because of a stroke. Our three acres of wheat burned in a fire, and suddenly one year of labor became ashes. Our house caught fire on a hot summer day because of an electrical short; my sister burned in the fire and did not make it. Now, my grandmother does not allow us to renovate the house; she thinks it is cursed. She said, ‘I knew it from the beginning, this house will doom us all, but no one listened to me, and look what’s happened to us.’ She also said, ‘I’ll never allow anyone to live in this house.’ What my grandmother ignores is that if the house is a curse for them, for me, it’s a place of so many memories. I spent all of my childhood here. I could never dislike it. Even now, I run away sometimes and stay in it for some time.” ...

May 24 2023

April 18, 2023

“Kirkuk, for me, is the joy of all cities combined. While serving in the military in the south of the country, I counted the days until I returned to my city. My friends were taking off days because of illnesses and funerals in the family. However, mine was only to return sooner to Kirkuk. Some even jokingly said, "You've made Kirkuk sound like Paris to us." The diverse nationalities in this city have fostered a culture of coexistence among its people. I have childhood Turkmen and Arab friends, just like my Kurdish friends; we share a bond of love and trust despite our different backgrounds.” ...

May 24 2023

April 26, 2023

“In the early 2000s, my brother and I established a shop on Erbil-Bardarash Street, which was an economic hub connecting Kurdistan Region, Turkey, and Iran. Travelers from different countries frequently traversed this road, and I developed a hobby of collecting currency from these various places and displaying them in my front window. Over time, I accumulated currencies from many countries, including some that are no longer in circulation. The oldest currency I possess dates back to World War I. Although people have offered to buy them from me at a high price, I refuse to sell them because they hold sentimental value for me. Interestingly, I can now recognize currencies from different countries, and I have noticed that some have high-quality paper, their colors do not fade, and they are incredibly durable.” ...

May 24 2023

May 11, 2023

“I have spent my entire life surrounded by nature, as farming is our family's main occupation. When Spring and Summer arrive, I gather local produce from the high mountains and sell them on the main streets. The drivers passing by are usually interested in rhubarb and plums, so I make sure to offer them the highest quality products available. Harvesting rhubarb is particularly challenging, as it is not like other greens. It takes a lot of effort to locate and pick them, and I have fallen off those mountains numerous times and suffered injuries. However, since our livelihood depends on it, I always find the strength to climb back up again.” ...

May 24 2023

May 17, 2023

“When people approach me for advice on opening a shop, I always urge them to focus on something that isn't seasonal. I don't want them to make the same mistake I did, where I found myself working only a few months each year. Those specializing in fans and AC are busy during the summer, while those dealing with e-heaters and oil heaters have their peak season in winter. Realizing this, I changed my approach and ventured into the water pump business. I considered its year-round demand and decided it was a more sustainable option. Frankly, I had grown tired of working just five months a year and then sitting idle in my shop for the rest of the year. Living conditions are harsh these days, and relying on such limited work is no longer feasible.” ...

Mar 02 2023

February 5, 2023