Riverside Farm. Along the road from Geli Ali Beg to Soran/Diana are many farming communities. Kurdistan is an ideal place for many agricultural products. On this and many other farms in Kurdistan, traditional agricultural methods are used to keep urban markets well-stocked. This particular farm is close to Soran/Bar Zewe village. *

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Haj Omaran. In the village of Haj Omaran we find the remnants of a historically important house. In 1971 it was the sight of an attack on Mullah Mustafa Barzani's life by a group of mullahs who were sent as a delegation from the Iraqi regime for negotiations regarding the Kurdish issue. Strapped with explosives, they blew themselves up feet from Mullah Mustafa at the negotiation table in this small house. Miraculously, Mullah Mustafa survived and walked away from the demolished house. He continued to fight for Kurdish rights until his death from lung cancer in 1979. *

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Headquarters for Mullah Mustafa Barzani and his peshmerga from 1961-1975. Mullah Mustafa himself lived with his family in this house, which was later taken over by the Iraqi regime after the collaspe of the resistance. The house was then claimed by the Iranian army for a time during their advancement in the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988). *

From the village of Haj Omaran, we climb the mountain to the southeast to reach the headquarters of Mullah Mustafa Barzani from 1961-1975. This was the headquarters of the Kurdish movement throughout this time. The particular view shown in the picture looks out to the south from this mountain. *

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Livestock and herding is an integral part of the Kurdish economy. Traditionally, nomadic Kurdish tribes residing in the mountains would raise sheep, lambs, and cows for trade with the settled agricultural tribes of the plains. There are still many Kurdish herdsmen that weave their way through the majestic cliffs and mountains. As we drive through the countryside in the spring, bands of livestock can be seen migrating from pasture to pasture, driven on by dogs, young boys, and men who still survive on the traditional practices of their forefathers. *

Along the way to our next stop, we notice that a wedding celebration has begun! It is common throughout Kurdistan to see large concrete slabs nestled in the mountains where these activities take place. Kurdish men and women are free to choose their mates, and weddings are a cause for huge celebrations. Typically, the religious wedding takes place the day before the celebration and is attended by close family. The next day the bride/groom's car is decorated with flowers for a huge celebration with dancing and music that is open to all. Like American couples, Kurdish women wear white. Some choose to wear American-style dresses like the women in the picture, while others wear traditional white Kurdish gowns. Wedding photographers and co-ed dancing are standard practice! *