Iraq is a land of rich and diverse cultural heritage, shaped by thousands of years of history. As a crossroads of civilisations, the country bears the marks of many cultures, beliefs, and religions, each leaving a distinct imprint on its people and landscape. However, there are many groups and communities marginalised on religious, ethnic, linguistic, and cultural grounds in Iraq. It is the heritage of such marginalised groups that is most at risk of disappearance.
The Handbook of Iraqi People’s Heritage is the result of a collaboration between the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), UK, and the University of Duhok in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. It is the fulfilment of a vision of heritage gathering and preservation that would not have been possible without the heroic efforts of the heritage gatherers: the young women and men who sought out the histories, traditions, practices, and places that constitute the heritage of their own respective communities. Personal narratives and excerpts from individuals interviewed provide rich content for the chapters that feature nine communities: the Armenians; the Assyrians; the Chaldeans; the Kakeyîs; the Sabean-Mandaeans; the Shabak; the Syriac Orthodox; the Turkmen of Tal Afar; and the Yazidis.
The Handbook looks at the living heritage in the day-to-day life and activities of both individuals and communities. Traditions and practices reveal the deep cultural significance in the daily activities surrounding food and drink, music, clothing, and language and education. Similarly, there are the traditions focused around festivals, religious holidays, rituals, feasts, celebrations, and remembrance. Heritage is what is so meaningful in our lives that we choose to pass it on to the generations to come. Reaching beyond buildings and belongings, there is also the intangible heritage reflected in oral histories, traditions and practices, and personal and collective memories.
This Handbook reflects the remarkable resilience and enduring strength of all the communities featured. Their continued preservation of collective memories, traditions, and history, despite the hardships, is testament to the communities themselves.
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