Kurds Research Articles

Ethnicity and the Kurdish Questions in the Middle East

The Kurdish question could be considered as an ethnic question in Middle East politics, which remains unsolved. As the largest stateless ethnic groups, most of its population exists in the four Middle East countries: Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Turkey. In contemporary times, the polarisation along ethnic lines has become central to the Kurdish question in Middle East politics. Presently, most existing expertise on Kurdish politics gave the numbers aspect of the Kurdish national struggle in the Middle East. The historical exclusion and assimilation of Kurd ethnic identity by dominant ethnic identity and challenges faced by the Kurds, such as statelessness, marginalisation, and conflict, always look like the Ethnic matter of the Kurdish question in the Middle East. This research paper delves into the complex interplay between ethnicity and the Kurdish question in the Middle East. The paper begins by tracing the historical origins of the Kurdish people. It examines the evolution of the Kurdish question, analysing the socio-political and cultural factors that have shaped their struggle for self-determination.

Stature Estimation among Iraqis based on Anthropometrics of the Hands using Multivariable Regression

Background: Estimating stature is of exceptional value in personal identification and the forensic sciences. At the same time, the literature lacks standardized methods for height estimation. Objectives: To estimate the stature of Iraqi individuals based on the morphometric parameters of both hands. Methods: 101 students recruited from Al-Rafidain University College collected data concerning ethnicity, gender, weight, and height and measured fourteen morphometric parameters for each hand, including the hand length (RHL; LHL), palm length (RPL; LPL), hand breadth (RHB; LHB), maximum handbreadth (RHB; LHB), and the length of each finger (RD1,2,3,4,5; LD1,2,3,4,5). A multivariable linear regression is used to predict stature based on the former variables. Results: The sample included males (48.5%) and females (51.5%) aged 18–23 years of Arabic (95%) and Kurdish (5%) ethnicity. The average weight (65.68±1.32) and height (169.52±1.13) were calculated. Regression analysis (accuracy=74.8%, p<0.001) and the male cohort (65%, p<0.001) possessed higher statistical accuracy than females (47.2%, p<0.001). Stature estimation within the total sample and males assumed similarities concerning parameters allocated to both hands that principally included the length of the right hand, right middle finger, left palm, and left little finger. In contrast, females' stature estimation corresponded to morphometric parameters strictly related to the left hand, including the length of the hand, palm, ring finger, and little finger. The results also aligned with the neural network analyses and qualitative data from ChatGPT version 3.5. Conclusion: Multivariable predictive models that are crucial in personal identification for forensic purposes were predicted, such as catastrophic scenarios due to disfiguring accidents, organized crime, and mass graves that frequently occurred in Iraq during the past two decades. Our results could also interest reconstructive hand surgery experts.

High prevalence of mental disorders: a population-based cross-sectional study in the city of Ilam, Iran.

To determine the age- and sex-standardized prevalence and risk factors of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms in the city of Ilam. In this population-based cross-sectional study, 1,350 people were invited using a multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method. Depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms were measured using the DASS-21 standard questionnaire. For data analysis, multiple ordinal logistic regression was used in Stata version 12 software. A significance level of 5% was considered. The data of 1,431 people were analyzed. The age- and sex-standardized prevalence (95% CI) of severe depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms was 19.90% (17.64 to 22.16), 25.95% (23.48 to 28.43), and 15.75% (13.69 to 17.81), respectively. There was a positive association among depression symptoms with female sex (OR: 1.52; p < 0.003), Kurdish ethnicity (OR: 2.15; p < 0.004), low educational level (OR: 1.37; p < 0.031), job losing history (OR: 1.64; p < 0.001), mental disorders history (OR: 2.17; p < 0.001), hopelessness for the future (OR: 5.38; p < 0.001), and history of other diseases (OR: 1.67; p < 0.001). There was a positive association among anxiety symptoms with female sex (OR: 1.72; p < 0.001), job losing history (OR: 1.53; p < 0.003), mental disorders history (OR: 2.11; p < 0.001), hopelessness to future (OR: 3.33; p < 0.001) and history of other diseases (OR: 1.97; p < 0.001). Hopelessness for the future and a history of other diseases were the most effective variables for anxiety symptoms and stress symptoms. A significant proportion of Ilam's urban population suffers from mental disorders. Increasing people's awareness, establishing counseling centers, and improving infrastructure should be considered by mental health policymakers who work in the province.

Same culture but different governments: attitudes toward abortion among Kurdish people in Iranian and Iraqi Kurdistan

ABSTRACT The Kurds are the fourth-largest ethnic group in the Middle East, divided between five countries. Despite political and geographical segregation, they share a common culture and history, leading to the belief that they possess similar attitudes. We investigated abortion attitudes among 1473 Kurds in Iraq and Iran using WVS data during 2000–2020. Results revealed an overall increase in positive attitudes towards abortion, though scores remained below average. Initially, the differences were negligible, but divergence occurred in 2020. Cultural factors and higher education had the most significant impact on attitudes. Iraqi Kurds consistently scored higher, and the differences were particularly significant in 2020. These findings confirmed the impact of macrostructures on attitudes. Iraqi Kurdistan’s secular federal government facilitates legal abortion under medical conditions. Conversely, Iranian Kurdistan is under the domination of a centralized Islamic government that has restricted all types of abortion, resulting in a more restrictive abortion attitude.

Natural therapies utilisation in Ranya, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Natural products are an important way to treating the disease in the whole earth. It has been estimated that more than 70% of the earth population relies on natural products. Unfortunately, the knowledge is passed from generation to generation verbally without documentation. The study aims to document the natural therapies used by the Kurdish people in the treatment and management of various ailments. Non-purposive sampling was employed in the study with an in-depth interview guide. One hundred and thirteen respondents were interviewed from the period of September 2021-June 2022. Qualitatively, excel 2016 was used to calculate descriptive statistics of socio-demographic information of the respondents and quantitatively the data were subjected to the following indices: Use Value (UV) and Relative Frequency Citation (RFC). Fourty two medicinal plants were documented and used for the management of various ailments: diabetes, fever, immune booster, aphrodisiac, stomach pain, headache, fungal, and bacterial infections. Leaves were reported as the most used part of the plant (25.5 %), oral as the most form of administration (80.5%). Plants with 0.05 are considered with have the highest UV and 0.8 for RFC. Ranya has a varied range of medicinal plants, according to the current study, and the use of medicinal plants and plant-based therapies is still common in the area. The study aimed to comprehensively document the traditional medicinal plants utilised by the people of Ranya. It will serve as an avenue for further development of herbal formulations and modern medicines in the region.

Risk factors of osteoporosis and osteopenia in postmenopausal women based on the L2–L4 BMD T score of the lumbar spine: a study in Iran

Objective To determine the risk factors of osteoporosis and osteopenia of the spine in postmenopausal women. Method An analytical cross-sectional study was performed on postmenopausal women. The T-score of the lumbar spine (L2–L4) was measured by densitometry and compared between osteoporotic, osteopenia, and normal women. Results One thousand three hundred fify-nine postmenopausal women were evaluated. The prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis was 58.2% and 12.8% respectively. Age, BMI, parity, total breastfeeding years, dairy use, calcium-D supplements, and regular exercise were significantly different in women with osteoporosis, osteopenia, and normal women. Ethnicity, diabetes, and previous fracture history were only other among women with osteoporosis (not osteopenia) and normal women. For osteopenia of the spine, age [AOR 1.08 (1.05–1.11; p < .001)] was the risk factor, and BMI = >30 [AOR 0.36 (0.28–0.58; p < .001)] and BMI 25–<30 [AOR 0.55 (0.34–0.88; p = .012)] were protective factors. Hyperthyroidism (AOR 23.43, p = .010), Kurdish ethnicity (AOR 2.96, p = .009), not having regular exercise (AOR 2.22, p = .012), previous fracture history (AOR 2.15, p = .041)], and age (AOR 1.14, p < .001)], were risk factors for osteoporosis, while BMI ≥30 [AOR 0.09, p < .001], BMI 25–<30 [AOR 0.28, p = .001], and diabetes [AOR 0.41, p = .038] were protective factors for osteoporosis of the spine. Conclusion Hyperthyroidism, low BMI <25, parity ≥ 6, Kurdish ethnicity, not having regular exercise, history of previous fracture, and age, were risk factors for osteoporosis of the spine respectively, while low BMI and age were risk factors for osteopenia.

Social Identity in Kurdish Film from a Theoretical and Sociologists Perspectives

This research attempts to detect the meanings of social identity of an individual as an actor in life and its relation to the other individuals. Thoughts and behaviors are related to identity. At the same time Identity represent two characteristics (differences and similarities). Members of one social group are similar to each other within the group and also different from members of another social group. The combination of these two characteristics simultaneously within the group becomes an indication for identity. However, the individual has his own identity and no two people are alike of each other, but within the frame of the groups there are commonalities and similarities between individuals. The points in which individuals shares the same values may be the constituent races of identity including (gender, ethnicity, race and religion). Each of the dimensions of (social, cultural, political) are forms an individual’s social identity within the group. The research seeks to find these meanings in the Kurdish films and to reveal the social identity of the Kurdish individual. The findings of the study as follows;&#x0D; 1. Although Social identity it appears stable on the surface, however, changes in social circumstances will cause changes in identity.&#x0D; 2. To understand some scientific facts regarding the issue of Kurdish social identity and its reflection in the Kurdish films.&#x0D; 3. Identify and recognize the cultural and social characteristics of the Kurdish people and their appearance in the Kurdish films.&#x0D; 4. The individual’s identity status is determined by his or her self-identity and its attachment to his or her group. Thus, it shows the identity of the heroes of at Kurdish movies.&#x0D; 5. From the individual’s point of view, his/ her behavior is part of his/ her social identity, but in the event of isolation or deprivation from his social group, the individual’s behavior may change, because in the view of the Canadian sociologist (Goffman), the individual is acting, once on the stage (as his social group), once behind the stage (outside his social group).

The role of local and global preparation in the embodiment of the literary genre’s interference phenomenon in Kurdish novels

Literary genre interference is an important subject to be written about in literary criticism. Throughout this study, the role of local and global preparation in the embodiment of the literary genres interference phenomenon in Kurdish novels has been discussed in detail. Within this study, we refer to local preparation especially the role of the uprising of Kurdish people in 1991 and its impact on literary genre interference. Also, the effect of mass media on novels has been analyzed. The impact of technology and science development, new liberalism, multinational companies, and free markets have shown as part of the global preparation role of literary genre interference which really they have a great impact on the new style of Kurdish novels. In the practical part of this study, some examples of Kurdish novels have been concentrated on; throughout them, the reality of the effects has been proven.

Iraq’s Nugra-Salman prison castle: a place for dark tourism

ABSTRACT Nugra-Salman prison castle is a vivid reminder of the Kurdish genocide at the hands of the Iraqi regime under Saddam Hussein. It was used as a temporary detention centre for several thousand Kurds before many of them were executed or buried alive in the deserts of Iraq. The castle is still standing despite damage to its inner and outer walls. It is a reminder of the cruelty and savagery of the former Iraqi regime toward the Kurdish people. It should be turned into a site of dark tourism.

Gingival Pigmentation Pattern in Correlation to Skin Color in a Group of Kurdish People in Sulaimani City

Background: Melanin pigmentation of the gingiva appears in all ethnicities. Excessive pigmentation is an esthetic concern that has increased awareness about depigmentation procedures. This epidemiological study aims to find the correlation between skin color and gingival pigmentation in Sulaimani Governorate, Kurdistan/Iraq. Subjects and Methods: A total of 820 apparently healthy and non-smokers, including 338 males and 482 females with healthy gingiva, aged between (18-40 years old) were enrolled in this study. Clinical examination on the participants’ gingivae was performed to assess color, and the distribution of pigmentations. Afterward the of participants skin color were visually examined and divided into six groups according to the Fitzpatrick scale. Results: Skin color of (53%) of our participants was medium to light brown. Most of the pigmentations were observed in the attached gingiva and interdental papilla (26.83%) and least being in the marginal gingiva and interdental papilla (9.27%). A statistically significant correlation was found between the participants’ skin color, and the intensity of their gingival pigmentations Conclusion: Darker-skinned subjects haveeavieringival pigmentation compared toair-skinned people in Sulaimani Governorate, Kurdistan/ Iraq. The intensity of gingival pigmentation increases with age with the highest rate of gingival pigmentation was in the upper and lower second premolar to premolar area.

Biography And Role of Ale Abdullah in The Kurdish-Iraqi Liberation Movement Between the Years (1945-1958)

The study about the role of Kurdish people and investigate about their different life state in various aspect are very important in Kurdish history, because they are affected most of the important events that have occurred lately, all of the positive results are due to their struggle in the past, and they had a lot of roles in changing the direction of these events. One of the Kurdish political and cultural figures was (Ali Abdulla), who had an important and prominent role in the Iraqi nation's movement for freedom since the twentieth century. He has been tried to success this movement 70 years continually for Kurdish freedom movement especially and for Kurdistan and especially for the southern part. And without a doubt, his works clearly appear in society and educational aspect. The aim this study is to put emphasis on his role in those groups and parties that he has been an organ of them for a long time, and he was continue according to the changing the political state.

Identity and Language of Education in the Kurdistan Region

This research is intended to shed light on the problems of the Kurdish language in the Kurdistan Region, especially in the field of education and higher education. This is because we assume that in modern life, there is a great risk which threatens our cultural identity in the light of globalization that tries to weaken our natural identity and impose a unipolar cultural dominance of the English language. If in the past the responsibility lies with the enemies of the Kurdish people in crackling down on the kurdish language in the stages of the occupation, the responsibility now lies with the officials of the Kurdistan regional Government (from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education). Because they do not have a policy and plan related to the language, and do not put an end to the disregard of the Kurdish language and the violation of the state law and constitution. In this regard, we have tried to present different views on the language of education in the centers of education and its effects on the linguistic identity of the individual and Kurdish society. In addition, schools and education centers were classified according to languages. Finally, the importance and status of language in the process of education were analyzed in order to reach conclusions on the formulation of a current plan of the Kurdish language in the education process.

Nutritional values and phytochemical analysis of Allium calocephalum Wendelbo, a valuable endemic wild garlic to Zagros mountains

Wild edible plants provide the local people with food and medicines and are considered one of the natural ecosystem services. These wild edible diets and herbal medicine always reflect local communities' regional identity and their traditional ecological knowledge. In the new global economy, the natural product field has become a central issue for preserving the traditional culture related to nature, particularly in the context of a sustainable environment. This research study aims to determine the nutritional value and phytochemical contents in a wild population of Allium calocephalum. This wild edible garlic, endemic to the Zagros mountains, is overharvested by Kurdish rural people to enhance their food security at a household level and to perpetuate the preservation of their natural heritage. Here, we estimated the total phenols, flavonoids, carbohydrates, protein, fibers, ash, oil yield, and significant mineral content in both leaves and bulbs of A. calocephalum. Phytochemical analyses were conducted at the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering Sciences (University of Duhok) and the environmental directory of Duhok, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, to get an overview of its nutrients and phytochemical values. Interestingly, a high level of phenolic compounds was obtained from bulbs (0.684 mg gallic acid equivalents/g of dry extract, eq.100g-1). The lowest level of phenolic compounds was found in leaves (0.522 mg gallic acid equivalents/g of dry extract, eq.100g-1). Simultaneously, the bulbs extract gave higher content of flavonoid compounds than the leaves extract (6.31 and 4.73 μg quercetin equivalents/g of dry extract, eq.100g-1, respectively, for the bulbs and leaves). The highest dry weight basis of total carbohydrates, energy value (Kcal), oil content, and moisture content were observed in bulbous parts, and the values were 71.75, 408.86 (Kcal), 9.52, and 92.37, respectively. On the other side, the highest dry weight basis of total protein, fibers, and Ash content was observed in shoot parts, and the values were 15.93, 13.89, and 9.32, respectively. The evidence from this research study supports the idea that this Zagrosian endemic wild garlic enhances the food security and the nutrient diet values of the rural Kurdish people. Keywords: Wild garlic; ethnobotany; edible plants; food security; natural resources; herbal medicine.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices related to COVID-19 among People in Kurdistan Region of Iraq: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Background &amp; Objectives: Coronaviruses disease 2019 is a serious public health concern worldwide. The major style of a person is not identical to another person’s style in extensive areas including Iraqi Kurdistan where people have little knowledge about Coronaviruses. It is noticed that Coronavirus infection is not dealt with as required in terms of the expressed knowledge, attitudes and the practice taken. This study aimed at finding out the level of knowledge and attitudes of Kurdish people in addition to their practices concerning Coronaviruses. Methods: This study adopted an online cross-sectional survey design from March 23 to April 2, 2020 to collect data from Iraqi Kurdistan Region citizens who willingly took part in this survey and have been asked to identify knowledge, attitudes, and practices in terms of Corona virus. Results: The majority of the study participants were young and male gender (62.5%). Majority of respondents (92.9%) were optimistic that the government could take necessary procedures to reduce the risks of Coronaviruses infection. Less than half of the participants wore mask and gloves when they leave home (41.4%, 45.1% respectively). Most of the participants had good knowledge (74%), good practice (64.6%), and vast majority had positive attitude (98.1%) concerning Coronaviruses. Conclusion: Less than half of the participants who got engaged in this study wore masks and gloves whenever they go out. Hereby, the participants are to be provided with an extensive health education program so that they can increase their awareness of Coronaviruses infection.

Edmonds and his scientific work on Kurdish studies

Abstract Kurdish studies is one of the crucial branches of orientalism, which investigates topics about Kurdistan and related topics. C.J. Edmonds is considered a pioneering Kurdish studies expert whose work mainly concentrated on topics related to Kurdistan and the Kurdish people. The current research consists of an introduction and two sections and a conclusion is followed. In the introduction, some aspects of life of Edmonds are discussed. In the first section, Edmonds’s scientific works, books, and articles about the Kurdish people are discussed. In the second section, the most prominent perspectives of Edmonds's works about Kurdish people are discussed with special emphasis on his opinions about religion and sociological aspects of Kurdish people. The main question of the current study is whether Kurdish sources published in the 20th century are enough to develop a deep understanding of the Kurdish people and community after the collapse of the Othman empire, or whether they did not fully answer the questions that may arise now and then. In this case, the study also wishes to analyze the need for adopting and discussing the orientalist who wrote about Kurdish people and Kurdistan. The findings of the research indicate that Edmonds’s works are unbiased and valuable works that present a deep insight into the Kurdish people and Kurdistan.

Joining the fight: the Italian foreign fighters contingent of the Kurdish People's Protection Units

AbstractSince the emergence of the Islamic State (ISIS) as one of the leading insurgent forces in Syria and Iraq in the 2010s, the academic literature has increasingly focused on the phenomenon of foreign fighters. Most studies have analyzed transnational insurgents joining the ISIS; however, research on non-jihadi foreign fighters remains underdeveloped. The article sheds much-needed light on the factors motivating non-jihadi fighters to join conflicts abroad. Specifically, it presents the findings of an in-depth analysis of the factors leading Italian nationals to join the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG/YPJ)1 after 2011, their military contribution on the battlefield, and their reasons for returning to Italy. The contributions of the paper are twofold. First, it enriches our general understanding of the motivations of non-jihadi foreign fighters through detailed qualitative analysis, including first-hand accounts and an analysis of fighters' biographies. Second, it offers a more complete picture of the specific factors informing the Italian experience of transnational non-jihadi fighters in recent years. The qualitative data highlight the role of non-material factors in triggering the armed mobilization of foreign fighters. The findings indicate that the Italian foreign fighters contingent within the YPG/YPJ and the SDF has been highly committed, made up mostly of young males with no military experience, and had little to no impact on the battlefield.

Four Turkish families with hyperekplexia: A missense mutation and the exon 1–7 deletion in the GLRA1 gene

BackgroundHyperekplexia is a disease that progresses with excessive startle attacks and is included in the differential diagnosis of epilepsy and many movement disorders. MethodsThe WES results were validated in available family members by Sanger sequencing, or in the case of deletion, PCR followed by agarose gel electrophoresis was performed. ResultsWES analysis revealed the previously reported homozygous c.277C>T p.Arg93Trp variant in the GLRA1 gene (ENST00000455880.2) in Family 1. In all other three families, the previously reported homozygous deletion of exons 1–7 of the GLRA1 gene was identified using CNV analysis based on the WES data. ConclusionsThe homozygous exon1-7 deletion has been described several times in different populations and may be a founder mutation in the Kurdish people in Turkey. The family with Arg93Trp variant stems from the Black Sea region of Turkey where close consanguinity is common. These analyses are important to provide genetic counseling to families and for a better understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease.

Cover Art Concept

The patterns that adorn the carpets carry within them people’s memory. In Kurdish lands also, carpets are an important means of expression.The women get together and, while singing, tell their stories on their looms, thread after thread, with their fingertips. . . . Mardin, a city in southeastern Turkey, stands on part of the Kurdish lands, which were divided like a pie in four, a hundred years ago, between Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Turkey. I was born there.Stories lurk on each of the historical streets that crisscross Mardin and turn it into a labyrinth—my town with the ocher atmosphere. Armenians, Arabs, Syriacs, Chaldeans, Mahallamis, Kurds: in this town we have all lived together for centuries. At times the history of the powerful led us to kill one another: the Syriac genocide in 1914–20, the Armenian genocide that began in 1915, then the policies of genocide and assimilation targeting the Kurdish people. . . . By itself, Mardin is like a prototype of Kurdistan: centuries-old peoples, each with their own painful history, holding on to a profound dignity without ever giving it up.In this town, at every turn, you come across women with black, deep-set eyes that say everything. Women who go on living without forgetting their bitter history, who move on, not with sickly hatred in their hearts but with the determination to surmount everything by deeply inhaling the air of the alleyways.

Egyptian in Kurds and Their Role in Political and Social Life

It is not easy to search on farmers Kurdish Figures during history and write about them airport. With out going to library to find out and discover what resorts said and wrote about them and what had been written about the history of middle East searching in this space need some of historical Facts and events soured by Kurdish tribes and mention the names of areas or cities when they were lewd. This applied on what our research called Egyptian Kurds and their oral in political, economic and social life . We depended on Kurdish rote of many leaders and scientist who came to Egypt and riled it many years , although their real rote were unknown that was because Kurdish people were travelling abroad and they used the languages of countries thy stayed in The result was no one knew them and nobody knew what Kurdish people gave in different ages and what they have done for Islamic history and civilization. In the other hand Egypt was from ancient periods consider as a peaceful place for every one who asked for national freedom from or counties freedom . This was cleared from the relation ship between Kurds and Egypt ions since the regime of the president Jamal Abdul Nasser . There were traditional political and social relation with Kurdistan. The leader Mula Mustafa Al Barazuny met Abdul Naser in Qairo . At that time Them was a revolution against king’s rule in gray , this relation between them continued with a good traditional effored between them . At that time There were many companies ran by Kurdish . This companies took care of Kurdish assure , and they organized many conferences to show and explain the necessity of being lived peacefully with Egyptian (Kurds and Egyptians( for example ) Qairo centre for Kurdish studies), and (Kurdish and Egypt ion friend ship company) As well as the results assert that the role of Kurdish people was important craft industries and hand crafts , also they worked spinning and weaving laboratories for their ancient experiences .

Refuge and Resistance: Theater with Kurds and Yezidi Survivors of ISIS

This essay looks at ongoing efforts to revitalize arts and culture among the Yezidi and broader Iraqi Kurdish communities. The Yezidi are survivors of the 2014 genocide perpetrated by the Islamic State (ISIS, also known by its Arabic acronym Da’esh) which resulted in mass killing, captivity and expulsion from their ancestral homeland of Mt. Sinjar in northern Iraq. They are part of the Kurdish people, who have engaged in centuries of struggle to protect their cultural and political identity, establish autonomy and ensure their security in the broader Middle East. After a brief overview of the Yezidi genocide and its aftermath, we trace some theatrical efforts in the 20–21st century and look at two embryonic theater initiatives in Iraqi Kurdistan. The description of cultural projects at Springs of Hope Foundation (Shariya Camp) is followed by personal reflection and analysis of the aims, uses and challenges of Applied Theater. This ‘umbrella term’ refers to a process that uses a theatrical tool-kit in non-theater contexts. The aesthetic, ethical and political challenges inherent in this work are considered: the essay explores questions of ethical care and the implications and pitfalls of working with vulnerable and displaced populations, issues of representation, and creating spaces for healing and expression through participatory theater. Finally, we discuss a new initiative in Iraqi Kurdistan that seeks to address ethnic and political fissures through theater. The essay culminates with a consideration of belonging and re-imagining home.