DILUCAN BOZÎ

Kobanî - Although the states have tried to change and transform the local dresses of the Kurds, which have existed for a long time, the Kurds have preserved these traditions and carried their dresses to today. The traditional Kurdish women's outfit includes a vest or long-sleeved jacket or a long overcoat worn over a gown while the traditional Kurdish men’s outfit includes plain shirts and vests or jackets over their shirts. In NE Syria, the people are known for their dresses and they express themselves with their dresses. Kurdish people wear these dresses on special occasions, weddings, particularly to celebrate Newroz. Kurdish language, culture, and history have been targeted throughout history; Kurds have been subjected to torture and oppression for preserving their values. Despite attacks, the Kurds keep preserving their culture and will continue to do so.

She keeps her local dresses at home

“I keep all my local dresses at home in order not to forget our culture,” 60-year-old İslam İbrahim said, “In our culture; mothers give their local dresses to their daughters. I also gave some of my local dresses to my daughters.” Islam İbrahim told us the dress she wore is about 30 years old, “We wear local dresses during celebrations or funerals. I still keep the white headscarf that I bought for two Syrian pounds years ago. Our children should embrace their culture in order for this culture not to be forgotten.”

“Kurdish culture should be protected”

Zelixa Salih Eli told us their grandmothers and fathers left this culture for them. Her mother also wore local dresses like her. “Local dresses are always beautiful and meaningful. There are original (handmade) and fabricated dresses. Many women still keep the original dresses at their homes to preserve them. Kurdish culture should be always protected.”

64-year-old Zelixe Xelil drew attention to the importance of the local dresses, “For years the enemy has been trying to take our national dresses away from us. They have attacked us by using many methods. But this culture should be protected. Kurds are beautiful with their local dresses. Young women and men should embrace this culture.”

She wears her mother’s dresses

33-year- old Gulistan Osman still wears her mother’s dresses on special days. “Our local dresses are our culture and history. Our history will disappear if our culture is not preserved. Mothers give their dresses to their daughters when they grow up. This is our tradition. My mother gave me her dresses so I still keep these dresses at home. I wear them on special days.”