From the Plains of Qaraqajin to Rural Courtyards: The Art of Crafting Tamarix Brooms

QARAQAJIN, Kurdistan Region — Hajji Saniyya and several elderly women in the Qaraqajin sub-district engage in the traditional process of crafting "Giska Gaza" (brooms made from wild Tamarix/broomweed plants). This traditional cleaning tool passes through several stages: harvesting the wild plants from nature, drying them under the sun, and meticulously bundling and shaping them by hand. Despite the widespread availability of modern plastic alternatives, Hajji Saniyya and these local women keep this age-old craft alive with their expertise, as these natural brooms remain essential for sweeping yards and rough outdoor surfaces across rural Kurdistan. Photo : © Sabur Rashid / MedPress