Humans of South - Humans of Kurdistan

“I have been visiting the Great Mosque for 30 years and pray there. I have memorized the entire 30 parts of the Quran. I recall when I had good eyesight, I used to crop wheat and barley and cut down trees in the village. When I lost my eyes, I was not able to perform anything, it was very hard. In the year 1953, I lost both my eyes due to eye pain. I do not have hope that my eyes will heal ever again because they do not even have corneas any longer. But this is God’s will, and he will form rocks inside the eyes if he desires. In the year 1959, I asked for my cousin’s hand in marriage and we wedded. She cared for me very well, and thank God, we have 5 sons and 5 daughters. On the day of the Halabja Bombardment, I was heading to the mosque to perform the lead prayer. I reached the gates and the sound of planes appeared. Everyone ran. My son grasped my hands and we went inside a basement. I lost many families and relatives due to the chemical bombings. If I had my eyesight, I would have liked to see the saints; to see Sheikh Ahmad again alongside everyone else I know”. ...

Aug 29 2021

August 29, 2021

“There are plenty of people who are unemployed with the excuse of the lack of work opportunities. If a man is determined to work, he will find bread in the mouth of a lion. I am from Hajiawa and I currently reside there. Job opportunities are limited in that neighborhood. There aren’t many work openings and vacancies as required. It is not possible to wait on employment. Therefore, for the past few years, I found it suitable to sell fruits on the side of the road in Smaquli. I alter my fruits depending on the season, and I am familiar with the tourist’s preferences. Generally, they enjoy fruits that can be devoured on the road inside their cars such as, (plum, rhubarb, strawberry, apricot, berries, Egyptian cucumber, and so on). So, I try to bring the fruits that are domestic products from the fruits and vegetable suppliers as much as I can, because they taste better for the customers and it is beneficial for the region’s economy, and it also motivates our farmers.I love the location I work in. Although it is the source of my income, I was also acquainted with a good household here; we became relatives and they are now my in-laws”. ...

Aug 01 2021

August 1, 2021

“Back when I was 11 years old, I would watch Karate and Kungfu tournaments on the television screen. Even though during that era, satellite channels and social media platforms did not exist. Oftentimes, I would watch Korean or Japanese films, in my heart, I would wish to be acquainted with that art. I will never forget when my deceased mother would turn sacks and cloths into a cushion, I would hang it on the ceiling and practice for 2 to 3 hours every day. It got to the point where I would raise my voice and be buried so deep in the game, even my neighbors were aware of how passionate I am for that sport. In 1999, I practiced Kungfu and Karate with 2 black belt instructors for a year and a half. Afterwards, both of them relocated their homes to Erbil. We were over 20 players and were left without an instructor. It is misfortunate that within this society, solely soccer is considered as a sport, while other sports have faced neglect. Thus, I drifted afar from that sport and to this day, whenever I see a Karate player on the television, I feel a lump in my throat”. ...

Jul 11 2021

July 11, 2021

“I remember when I was a student in 8th grade at secondary school. At the time, we would study historical subjects and could perceive culture, relics, and historic topics reflect clearly, therefore it blended with my veins and body early on. I thought about collecting those items up until I completed high school. After I graduated from the institution, I returned to my village. I caught the sight of some remains, pots, and manuscripts written on stones in the area. To my dismay, today's generation does not give significance to such matters and has demolished most of them. I recall there have been times where we would discover vessels filled with money from that era, a portion of it was sold, and a portion of it has been detained by affiliated parties. Afterward, some of my friends and I from the village contemplated to start collecting cultural and folkloric remains to rescue them from extinction”. “In the beginning, we started from the village and collected various items. There were a lot of unique objects due to its’ early history; items that were utilized by our parents and grandparents. I would ask my father questions regularly and he would speak about those rural bygones. Things reached a stage where we received a few local television channels and arranged round tables and programs. I organized cultural and artefactual festivals in our village for two years in a row and acquainted my belongings with visitors and other people. Many people have shown praise and several others that have had ancient artifacts contacted me and brought them to me. One of my brothers offered me a house that currently has over (2000) cultural items and artifacts. This is a significant honor for me and it delights me to know that people still enjoy seeing these objects and equipment”. ...

Jul 08 2021

July 8, 2021

“During the 80s, I used to spend my days with a brush and paint; my paintings delighted my spirit. When the route converted after the uprising, I wanted to try an alternative art and started photography. Photography was more different, it required more time and sharp eyes. During the insurrection, I resided in Akre, and I would archive pictures of how the people rose. After the circumstances calmed, and the people stabilized, I captured pictures of peoples’ everyday lives and Kurdistans’ alluring nature. Later on, I built a shop to provide for myself and get by and took pictures of newlyweds. what is disheartening is that a recent class has emerged and has persuaded photography without any concern for etiquette. They have disintegrated the art and utilize it for personal interest. Photography is morality; the person who carries a camera is required to have high morale. I hope the nature, culture, and history of Kurdistan are transformed into portraits and hanged in public places instead of foreign pictures and draw peoples’ attention to Kurditsans’ nature”. ...

Jul 05 2021

July 5, 2021

“Age passes and does not shy away from anyone. I have worked as a porter for years. What I on no account thought of was the toilsome labor and the hefty objects I would lift with my shoulders. Unfortunately, I no longer have the strength nor the time. I have been working as a security guard in a factory for some years now, and spend all my time by my lonesome; I am the speaker and the listener as well. The factory owner respects me immensely and aids me, and I thank God for that but nothing compares to spending a night at your own home and resting with your children. I have been raising a bunch of pigeons and chickens. This might be difficult to believe but I love them as if they were my own children. It is correct that animals and humans are two separate worlds but unless you mingle with them, you will not understand how understanding they could be and how much devotion will be built within. Anytime one of my hens incubates, and their eggs hatch chicks, it delights me as much as receiving my monthly salary”. ...

Jun 10 2021

June 10, 2021

“I was working at a teashop and made a dirham per day. I would spend the money I had collected from work on antiques such as Vinyl record players and old radios. I have purchased most of my antiques in Erbil, Baghdad, and Mosul. One of my sisters lived in Baghdad, I would place my purchases at her house until they would stockpile, then I would ship them back to Akre. I have been collecting antiques for 55 years; my house resembles a museum. The variance between my home and everyone else’s home is that I own gadgets and antiques that date back to over 100 years. I am now 70 years old and live on my retirement salary to get by on daily basis. My health is poor and often stay home for days. What burdens me is that every so often people come to my house with the justification of paying me a visit but only end up stealing my belongings. I love my possessions dearly and I have purchased each and every one of them with my hard-earned money. I hope the affiliated parties of this city offer to build a suitable spot for my collector’s items, because I do not have the strength to monitor and keep an eye on them anymore”. ...

Jun 02 2021

June 2, 2021

“According to the couple of years I’ve been serving in the health sector, I’ve seen many strange incidents both happy and sad. I’ve always helped patients as much as I can, even if it wasn’t in the hospital's ability. Our duty is to serve citizens. That’s why when we see patients or the patient’s family satisfied by us and later on thank us with a bouquet or some nice words, our urge to serve increases. One day on my way to work, I saw a child with brain paralysis in his sister’s arms. Knowing the hospital’s duties were difficult, I decided to financially support the child back to health and later on throughout life. As days passed, one day a respectful person came in and said that he was the father of that child. He had come to thank me for everything I had done for them and that God had taken him back. I can never forget that man’s gratitude and appreciation. His regards and prayers have helped me to continue doing good”. ...

May 27 2021

May 27, 2021

“I studied up until the fourth grade and I can now gladly do my own things and don’t need anyone for reading and writing. I was 12 years old when I started selling vegetables and fruits from one village to another. I remember when visiting some villages, instead of money the people would give me eggs and flour. I know most of the people who live in those villages from the men and women to their children. They respect me a lot and we eat at the same table. I still do the same job now and on Fridays, I take the eggs to the poultry market in Bardarash and exchange them for money to make a living for my family. Four of my children are students, the other two are young and don’t go to school yet. Anyone who chooses a job they like will be successful at it. In the beginning, I worked on a wagon and now I drive a pickup truck and make a livelihood for my family without peeking into other people's lives. My job makes me very happy although it’s extremely tiring. I’ll continue doing my job for as long as God gives me life”. ...

May 22 2021

May 22, 2021

“I haven't academically studied art but Youtube was like a teacher for me, I learned my job from Youtube, I'm amazed by European painters like (Picasso, van Gogh, Leonardo da Vinci) because of their creativity in art. This became one of my obsessions to follow their lead and to find my own way so I could be famous just like them. Every painter has their secret when they paint, they have a fantasy inside their head and they express it through the paintbrush. In the beginning, when I started painting I would draw five little birds as a symbol for my work. Sometimes people recognized my work from the birds. I give some of them as gifts, and I paint the requested ones for money. For most jobs, if you want to be successful at it, you have to make a sacrifice and give your work as gifts to people who have a taste in art. For them to evaluate your work and criticize your paintings, so you work harder and not repeat the same mistakes”. ...

May 18 2021

May 18, 2021