Arts and national culture and customs – Northern Mesopotamia as an example. Part 1

Cultural development is vital in driving sustainable progress for prosperous communities and individuals. By embracing cultural identities, we foster a sense of belonging and inspire collaborative efforts that pave the way for a brighter, evolved future. Communication has been essential to our development, whether through spoken language, writing, or art. Additionally, our individual perspectives and cultural backgrounds have played a significant role in shaping our world. Every cultural development of any society in ancient history (and nowadays) is the result of the accumulative work and experiences of many (Rogoff 2003, 63–89).

Minaret of Erbil. Photograph: Courtesy of the author

We cannot rely solely on genetic connections or individuals from the same geographical region to define a nation’s culture. Such a flawed assumption will not create a cohesive culture for a nation (Ernest Gellner, 1998, Plough, Sword and Book). It is certainly not solely an individual achievement (Rogoff 2003, 63–89). Additionally, these realizations are civilisation’s cumulative knowledge over the years. One generation passes knowledge and cultural processes to the next generation. We should appreciate that human development is incremental expertise across several generations and enriched by the influence of interaction and communication among various disciplines, communities, and civilizations. A great example is the universities, especially those in cosmopolitan cities, where students worldwide work together on academic projects. It is incredible how knowledge gets passed on from one generation of students to the next, all because of the diverse perspectives and backgrounds everyone brings to the table.

Illustration based on L.A. Myer’s description of Ayyubids. Photograph: Courtesy of the author

Throughout history, societies have continuously changed their beliefs, morals, and practices. These changes were brought about voluntarily through intermarriage and trading, or impositions by another culture via invasion and colonisation. Northern Mesopotamia (nowadays Kurdistan) acts as a prime example of how multiple cultures have inhabited a region throughout history, with new cultures eventually coming to dominate. Kurdish area is a meeting area of three neighbouring civilisations that is Mesopotamia with its extension Arabic peninsula, Iran and its rich multi-ethnic diversity and Turkish Anatolia.

Photography: courtesy of the author

The intermarriage among the royal families has been narrated in many folktales, such as Farhad, a Kurdish engineer and Queen Shireen from Armenian, and also tales of the Hanging Gardens, which Neo-Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar II built for his Median wife, Queen Amytis, daughter of King Cyaxares. The queen married Nebuchadnezzar to formalize the alliance between the Babylonian and Median dynasties. As Islam spread throughout the region, a rich tapestry of art and literature emerged. One of the most captivating examples of this cultural blossoming is “One Thousand and One Nights.” Narrated during the Abbasid Empire, these timeless tales feature iconic characters like Ali Baba, Aladdin, Sinbad, Queen Jasmine, and the clever servant Hassan, each representing a diverse array of backgrounds. Their attire beautifully mirrors traditional Kurdish clothing, showcasing the region’s vibrant cultural heritage and interconnectedness. The phenomenon of sharing, borrowing, or copying ideas from each other was not uncommon and still occurs. As a result, a mingled culture of various regional communities was formed over time, which has only increased with time. This mixture of ideas and styles of writing has enriched literature and has played a significant role in the development of human culture.

Hand paint-portrait in the Saladin Citadel, Cairo. Photography: Courtesy of the author

 The Ayyubid dynasty played a pivotal role in shaping and enriching Kurdish culture, establishing national customs that resonate even today. Based on the conventional understanding of nationality [Hisham Dawood and Falah Abdullah, The Kurds, 2006], they cemented the three requirements to build a nation: unifying legislative language, designated customs and creating a historic memory. They notably transformed Kurdish clothing into uniforms for their army and internal security forces, spanning regions from eastern Erbil to Cairo. This attire has now become an emblematic representation of the male dress tradition among Kurds everywhere.

*Kawa Amin is a consultant geriatrician and assistant professor of medicine at Qatar University, with interests in healthcare management and education. He holds several notable certifications and has been involved in various educational and academic activities. Dr. Amin has a passion for bridging philosophy and medical science. His work includes two published books:

Frailty outreach ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-6139900404

Life, death and Eternity ISBN ‏ : ‎ B0D4DVR89S

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