Humans of South – Humans of Kurdistan

““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

“The art of body ink (Deq) has a long history in Kurdish culture. Thankfully, this tradition has faded a bit and, in some places, has disappeared entirely. Nowadays, people get it done as tattoos, it doesn’t cause as much pain, and it’s done more exquisitely than before. They ink themselves with devices today, not by hand like in the past. In the early 70s, they inked this Deq for me. For a woman like me, this was beautiful back then and would attract the sights of those gazing at me. I did not have the same mindset back then as I do now. Honestly, I regret it a lot, but I still have kept it because of how painful it is to remove it. Besides, it leaves ugly marks, so I don’t know what to do with it.” ...

Jan 15 2023

January 11, 2023

“I don’t remember being jealous of anyone, but since I have gotten old and unable to walk, I’ve started being jealous. When I see people standing on their feet and praying to God, I become jealous of them. Sometimes, I feel embarrassed when I pray while sitting. I’m in front of a being that only he is omnipotent and all-powerful. And from the beginning to the end of times, this is all his domain. The pleasure of faith is felt by only those who are honest in their love for God. There are many ways to get closer to the Lord, but prayer is the most gratifying one for me.” ...

Jan 15 2023

December 18, 2022

“In the 80s, when the school in our village closed down, we couldn’t travel for hours on foot to attend the school in the city. Consequently, I dropped out of school in fifth grade. I started helping my father in Chia Sumac, we picked apples, and our livelihood depended on these products. I got older and became a stonecutter in the early 2000s, and we were building houses. From then, my life blended with hammers and stones. Now, if I only look at the stone, I know if it will be useful for building or not. My work is tough, and I work eight hours daily; I suffer during the night because of the pain in my hands and shoulders. However, I’m still happy because the food I bring to the table for my children is the fruit of my labor.” ...

Jan 15 2023

December 6, 2022

“Even though obesity is genetic, I can’t have that as an excuse to ignore my body. The difficult conditions force me to spend most of my time in my restaurant. I wish I have the chance to work out daily. Right now, instead of workouts, I have organized an intake plan for myself, and I’m currently on a great diet plan. Friends often tell me, “How can you quit rich-in-fat foods and carbohydrates while you are a kebab chief and prepare many delicious dishes every day for the customers?” We have to realize that life is not all about eating. Health and a fit body are more important. What good is delicious food when you can’t wear something fitting to you and suffer from tens of illnesses? It is true that I mostly eat fruits and vegetables, but I’m glad that I’m healthy and looking after my body.” ...

Jan 15 2023

November 27, 2022

“There were days when no one in this city could compete with me in lifting weights, but now, I tear up for how weak I have become. If I tell people that I used to one-hand lift a gunnysack of flour, they might not believe me, but you can ask all of the old-time porters or people my age; they were all witnesses to my challenges. I lifted a 50-kilo gunnysack of flour, and that’s why I tattooed the number 50 on my arm. Now, I can’t even lift a kerosene heater or a gas bottle, but I’m thankful to the Lord for being healthy and not ill. Old age doesn’t shy from anyone.” ...

Jan 15 2023

November 16, 2022