ŞIYA KOYE

Teqteq – Women from Federal Kurdistan are striving both to preserve their culture and to support their families with their own labor. Every year, the Autumn Festival is held in different regions of Federal Kurdistan. This year, the Autumn Festival was organized by the Şahane group in Gula Mehnaz Park in the Teqteq district and lasted for three days. Women came from Hewraman, Sulaymaniyah, Hewlêr, Koye, and Teqteq to showcase their products. In addition to all this, intellectual topics were not forgotten, and book lovers were able to access the books they wanted at these festivals.

Bahre Şukir, who came from Hewlêr to attend the festival, said: “I came with my family, I saw books being exhibited from afar, and it is very important to give importance to the intellectual aspect in such festivals. It attracts readers. That’s why having books in these festivals is wonderful. Reading is very important, today I bought two novels and I always read books.”

‘I made all the products with my own hands’

A young woman from Hewraman, Dinya Ali, attended the festival to present her works. The scent of cloves and pomegranates at her stand created a sense of calm, while Dinya Ali said: “I joined with the Şahane group, and I made all the ornaments with my own hands. For example, I made necklaces from pomegranates, cloves, and kızwan. It is important that these products do not disappear. The most preferred products are Kurdish foods and homemade goods. I also make these accessories myself.”

‘I want to export local products’

Attending the festival for the first time, Şiler Mihemed from Hewraman thanked the Şahane group for organizing the event and said: “I participated with local products such as apple and pomegranate vinegar, kereng gum, pomegranate and fig jam, and mulberry molasses. They are all very healthy and good for many illnesses. I have been making these products for years. Kereng gum is also good for many illnesses. That is why I want to export local products outside the region, because our products are very beneficial and of high quality.”