Humans of South – Page 2 – Humans of Kurdistan

“Every day, from my village on the Iraq-Iran border, I walk for an hour to Pshdar’s Shene village to work on construction and farming; it takes me another hour to go back. I spent half of my life toiling; this face is not a face of a 30 years old man; I have seen the hardship of life. My brothers attended school, but I didn’t. However, I have four children, and I always tell them to study so they won’t end up like me. I show them my tired and wounded hands, so they focus on their future and study.” ...

Oct 31 2022

October 31, 2022

“In 1977 I was doing my military service in Said Sadiq, and my profession was cobbling. I was cobbling the shoes and boots of the army men. Later, I returned to Akre and opened a shop. I have been in this profession for 42 years now, I’m really satisfied with it, and it has served my family and me pretty well. I open my shop for eight hours daily and fix shoes, school bags, and home equipment. In the 80s and 90s, people were fixing their shoes from four sides and were okay with it, so I had so many customers to the point that I had no time to answer anyone. But now people find it shameful to wear a shoe that has been cobbled, hence the profession is not as it used to be.” ...

Sep 16 2022

September 26, 2022

“I spent half of my life in war and on the front lines. During my time, military service was mandatory. I have memories from all of the provinces in Iraq. People my age remember how we had to prepare ourselves for each war after one another. We are used to war; thus, unfortunately, we could never have an ordinary life. So many times, I have cried about being away from Kirkuk; sadly, nothing is how it used to be now. Maybe it is because how life has exhausted us has left a deep wound in our hearts. When I was younger, I didn’t have time to enjoy this city and its times, and now there is much time, but I’ve gotten old”. ...

Sep 16 2022

September 7, 2022

“I’m 62 years old and from Kani Maran village. I’ve been a cowherd for a long time. I wake up every day at 3:00 AM, eat my breakfast, take the buffalos to the plains, and stay there for about 12 hours. Buffalos prefer being in the water, but because of drought, many of the oasis and springs dried out, except for 1-2 locations left. This is causing people to sell their buffalos; if it continues like this, I’ll be jobless too, and a family of seven depends on this work; we’re barely making a living. When my house caught fire, the village people helped and collected money for me.Buffalo’s yogurt has a substantial demand because it is rich in fats and doesn’t expire. It is sold in markets fast; sometimes, people even get in the queue for it." ...

Aug 25 2022

August 25, 2022

“I’m 70 years old, and I’ve been working on collecting photos and antique pieces for 11 years now. This is my favorite hobby, some of them I’ve bought for high prices, and others were gifted to me. The photos date back to a long time ago up until now. People have asked me many times to sell the place, but these are history and not for sale. I come here every day and feel joyful. The only thing that I fear the most is this place catching fire. I have told my wife that she should take my place here after my death. I spent a lot of money here, and I’m pleased. People use their money for other things; I want to serve the city of Sulaymaniyah”. ...

Aug 13 2022

March 27, 2022

“There are many people who have misconceptions about villagers. They think they are ill-educated and ignorant! Being enlightened has nothing to do with clothes and the place and way of living! Living in a village does not mean that we are not aware of technology and the political and economic situation. Nowadays social media is the fastest way to keep you informed of all things. But our differences in some things have led to that misunderstanding. We enjoy the mounds and hills instead of the tall buildings. It is true we don't have a bazaar but seeing the plains and birds makes us very comfortable. Nowadays life is more about interests. Wherever you have a better life, you move there. I lived in the city for a few years. It's difficult to live there. I worked for twenty days a month and the payment was not enough for us! But now I earn enough money for a month from one week of work, in addition to clean air and good health”. ...

Aug 13 2022

March 30, 2022

“It is clear to everyone that adolescence is the beginning of the process of enjoying things. Sadly, I didn't get that enjoyment. Because I am the only child of my mother. The lack of siblings has made my responsibility more difficult. Aside from doing all the work of the house, I’m always trying to keep my mother from being bored with that loneliness. Living in a house without waiting for a father to come back in the evenings is not easy! But in spite of all the misery, having a kind mother makes me thankful. She has raised and educated me in a way that only God can reward her for that. Whenever I’m bored and tired, I remind myself of the times when my mother didn't say no for anything I asked. So I won't feel tired as long as she is alive. I remember complaining about a job once, and a man asked, "Is your mother still alive?" I said yes. "So you must not complain about life," he said. I did not understand that at the time. Now I know how hopeful his answer is”. ...

Aug 13 2022

April 10, 2022

“We have been friends since primary school. We didn't have enough time in school, but since we were neighbors, we spent most of our time together. We finished school together. I don't remember ever being angry with each other. We are alike in most of our things, except for our height! And people only see that difference! I don't understand why people make "height" a basis for friendship? Each of us has been told hundreds of times that “You are like number one and zero”. But those comments have strengthened our relationship. We are university students, unfortunately we hear such comments there as well. I find it strange, where is their consciousness to think that way?. But we respect our friendship and nothing cools us down. Let's not let color, race, height and style prevent two people from being friends and loving each other”. ...

Aug 13 2022

April 20, 2022

“My name is Roody and I'm 31 years old. In 2016, I thought about starting a project in Qamishli under the name of Story of Nation, but the circumstances were not helpful. I have started it now again, and the project involves taking photos of people's faces from all the different groups and backgrounds in Rojava, furthermore improving the coexistence amongst the people. Every night, I make plans for the next day. I schedule a time with the person I want to take pictures of and then start the shooting. Some of the photographs are spontaneous, and others the people asked me to take them. So far I have taken more than 70 photos, and a while back, I opened an exhibition. I sold some of the photographs and donated the money to a cancer treatment hospital. For the photos that were not sold, I gifted them to the individuals, which made them really happy”. ...

Aug 13 2022

May 5, 2022

“People call me Rashoi Saz. For me, life means music. This Saz is the closest person to my heart. Every day, I make people happy by playing my saz in the bazaar, and I’m sure they all love me for it. They always want to pay for my meals, and they have never charged me in teashops. When I come or leave the bazaar, people honk and stop their cars for me on the street. I am self-taught in music. Otherwise, I don’t even know how to write my own name. Muhammed Arif’s voice brought me into the world of music. So, I don’t spend a night without listening to him. When I want to learn a new melody, I repetitively listen to it and then try to imitate it. It was tough for me during the quarantine because I had no life without the bazaar. To put it better, my life depends on the money people give me either for playing music for them or just because of how much they love me”. ...

Aug 13 2022

May 18, 2022