Sulaymaniyah: The Cultural Heartbeat of Iraqi Kurdistan

• Helloسڵاو / خۆش
  [Slaw / Khosh]
• Goodbyeبابەی / دەرخستن
  [Babe / Derkhestan]
• Yesبەلێ
  [Belle]
• Noنەخێر
  [Nekher]
• Please/You're welcomeتکایە / خواهشان
  [Tkaye / Khwashan]
• Thank youسوپاس / رەحمان
  [Sopas / Rehman]
• Excuse me/Sorryببورە / ببخشەوە
  [Bbore / Bbakhshewa]
• How are you?چۆنی چۆنی؟
  [Choni Choni?]
• Fine. And you?باشە. تۆ چی دەکەی؟
  [Bashe. To chi dekei?]
• Do you speak English?ئینگلیزی دەقەیت؟
  [Ingilizi deqait?]
• I don't understandناچیتەوەم
  [Nachitewam]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseدەتەوێ بخەیم، تکایە
  [Detewa bakhem, tkaye]
• I don't eat meatمەن گۆشت نەخەم
  [Men gosht nekhem]
• Cheers!به‌ختۆ
  [Bakhto]
• I would like to pay, pleaseدەتەوێ پارە بدرێم، تکایە
  [Detewa pare bdarem, tkaye]

• Help!یارمەتی!
  [Yarmeti!]
• Go away!لە وەرگرتن!
  [La wargertan!]
• Call the Police!پۆلیس بپەخشێنە!
  [Polis bpexshene!]
• Call a doctor!دۆکتۆر بپەخشێنە!
  [Doktor bpexshene!]
• I'm lostمن لە گمردنم
  [Men le gomrdanem]
• I'm illمن نەخۆشم
  [Men nekhoshem]

• I'd like to buy...دەتەوێ خرید بکەم...
  [Detewa khrid bkem...]
• I'm just lookingمن تەنها دەتوانم بچۆم
  [Men tenha detwanem bchom]
• How much is it?ئەوە بەرزێکی چێکە؟
  [Ewe berzayki cheke?]
• That's too expensiveئەوە زۆر گرانە
  [Ewe zor gerane]
• Can you lower the price?دەتوانی کەمبەرەوەی بکەی؟
  [Detwani kamberewei bkei?]

• What time is it?کەتە کاتێکە؟
  [Kete kateke?]
• It's one o'clockیەکەیەکە
  [Yekayeke]
• Half past (10)نیم بەردەم (10)
  [Nim berdem (10)]
• Morningصبح
  [Sobh]
• Afternoonپاشین
  [Pashin]
• Eveningئێوارە
  [Eware]
• Yesterdayدوێنێ
  [Doyene]
• Todayئەمڕۆ
  [Amro]
• Tomorrowسەرەتا
  [Sereta]
• 1یەک
  [Yek]
• 2دوو
  [Dow]
• 3سێ
  [Se]
• 4چوار
  [Chwar]
• 5پێنج
  [Painj]
• 6شەش
  [Shesh]
• 7حەوت
  [Hewt]
• 8هەشت
  [Hasht]
• 9نۆ
  [No]
• 10دە
  [De]

• Where's a/the...?.... کەوە؟
  [... Ke?]
• What's the address?ناونیشان بکەوە؟
  [Nawneşan bewe?]
• Can you show me (on the map)?ئیشانم بدەرەوەی بکەی؟
  [Işanem bderewei bkei?]
• When's the next (bus)?کاتێک بەردەمی داهاتوانێ؟
  [Katek berdemi dahatane?]
• A ticket (to ....)بلیت (بۆ ....)
  [Bilet (bo ....)]

Sulaymaniyah was founded in 1784 by Ibrahim Pasha Baban, the Kurdish prince of the Baban principality. The city was named after his father, Sulaiman Pasha. It was established as the new capital of the Baban principality, replacing the older city of Qalachwalan.

During the Baban period, Sulaymaniyah became an important cultural and political center in the region. The city flourished under the rule of successive Baban leaders, who invested in the development of infrastructure, educational institutions, and arts. This era saw a significant growth in Kurdish literature and culture.

In the mid-19th century, the Ottoman Empire exerted control over the Kurdish regions, including Sulaymaniyah. The city's strategic location made it a focal point for various military campaigns and administrative activities. Despite the centralization efforts of the Ottoman authorities, Sulaymaniyah maintained a degree of autonomy.

Following World War I and the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, Sulaymaniyah came under British mandate. The region experienced significant political changes, including the incorporation into the newly established Kingdom of Iraq in 1932. This period was marked by Kurdish uprisings and demands for greater autonomy.

Throughout the 20th century, Sulaymaniyah was a center for Kurdish nationalist movements. Notable uprisings, such as the Barzani-led revolts in the 1960s and 1970s, had significant impacts on the city's political landscape. These efforts were part of the larger struggle for Kurdish autonomy within Iraq.

In the late 1980s, Sulaymaniyah and its surrounding areas suffered during the Anfal campaign, a genocidal campaign conducted by the Iraqi government under Saddam Hussein. Thousands of Kurds were killed, and many villages were destroyed. The city became a symbol of Kurdish resistance and suffering.

After the 2003 Iraq War and the fall of Saddam Hussein, Sulaymaniyah experienced significant political and economic changes. The city became part of the autonomous Kurdistan Region of Iraq. It has since developed into a hub for culture, education, and tourism, attracting visitors with its rich history and vibrant cultural scene.

Sulaymaniyah is known for its vibrant cultural life, with numerous museums, theaters, and festivals. The city is home to the Sulaymaniyah Museum, which houses important archaeological artifacts, and the Amna Suraka Museum, a former prison turned museum that documents the atrocities of the Ba'athist regime. The city also hosts the annual Sulaymaniyah International Film Festival.

Sulaymaniyah is accessible by air through the Sulaymaniyah International Airport (ISU), which has direct flights from various Middle Eastern and European cities. Alternatively, you can reach Sulaymaniyah by road from major Iraqi cities like Erbil, Baghdad, and Kirkuk. Buses and shared taxis operate regularly from these cities to Sulaymaniyah, providing a scenic route through the Kurdish countryside.

Within Sulaymaniyah, taxis are the most common form of transportation and are relatively inexpensive. Ride-sharing apps like Careem also operate in the city. For a more local experience, you can use minibuses, known as 'coasters,' which connect various parts of the city. Renting a car is an option for those who prefer to explore at their own pace, but be aware that traffic can be hectic.

The official currency is the Iraqi Dinar (IQD). While credit cards are accepted in some hotels, restaurants, and larger shops, it is advisable to carry cash, especially when visiting smaller establishments or markets. ATMs are available throughout Sulaymaniyah, but ensure you have enough cash for places that may not accept cards.

Sulaymaniyah is generally considered safe for tourists, but it is always wise to be cautious. Avoid wandering alone at night in unfamiliar areas and stay aware of your surroundings. The city center and popular tourist spots are usually safe, but exercise caution in less populous areas. Keep an eye on your belongings in crowded places to avoid petty theft.

In case of emergency, dial 112 for immediate assistance. Sulaymaniyah has several hospitals and medical clinics, with Faruk Medical City being one of the most reputable. It is recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. For minor health issues, pharmacies are readily available, and many staff members speak English.

Fashion: Do dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, especially when visiting religious sites. Avoid wearing revealing clothing. Religion: Do respect local customs and traditions. When visiting mosques, remove your shoes and cover your head if you are a woman. Public Transport: Do be respectful and considerate of others. Don't eat or drink on public transport. Greetings: Do greet people with a handshake. Men often greet each other with a kiss on both cheeks. Eating & Drinking: Do try local Kurdish dishes and accept food offerings graciously. Don't refuse hospitality, as it is considered impolite.

To experience Sulaymaniyah like a local, visit the bazaar where you can buy fresh produce, spices, and traditional Kurdish goods. Engage with locals, who are often friendly and eager to share stories about their culture and history. Don't miss visiting the Amna Suraka Museum to understand the region's past. For a unique experience, take a hike in the nearby Azmar Mountain for breathtaking views of the city.