Sumerian heritage
Dhi Qar celebrates traditional mudhif construction
DHI QAR— In the Al-Tar area of Karmah Bani Saad, south of Dhi Qar, the atmosphere of building a traditional mudhif—a guesthouse made from reeds—is like a communal celebration. This traditional practice, deeply embedded in the region’s history, is strongly preferred by the local sheikhs over modern constructions.
Haj Abduldhedan Rumi, who has inherited the practice from his ancestors, spearheaded the renewal of his mudhif. He expressed his deep connection to this tradition: “We have lived with it and inherited it from our forefathers, and we have used it to build guesthouses in southern Iraq since ancient times. It brings a sense of psychological comfort and tranquility,” he told 964media.
Constructing a mudhif involves several meticulous stages, from sourcing soft, clean reeds from the marshes to setting up iron rings and finally wrapping the structure in nylon. The construction typically takes between 15 to 20 days, depending on factors like size and reed availability.
“I cannot abandon this landmark because it is an authentic Sumerian symbol, and I hope everyone will hold on to this heritage and rebuild their mudhifs using reeds,” Rumi added, emphasizing the cultural significance of maintaining this traditional architecture.
Ayoub Kareem, Director of Antiquities and Heritage in Suk Al-Shiyukh, shared insights on the mudhif’s historical importance: “We discovered a plaster tablet in the city of Uruk, dating back to 3200 B.C., engraved by Sumerian hands, depicting the facade of a mudhif. References to the mudhif, or reed house, built from natural materials in the marshes, are also found in the Epic of Gilgamesh,” he told 964media.
Iyad Nazzal, a specialist in mudhif construction, detailed the process: “The reeds used for the mudhif are distinctive—they must be soft, smooth, white, and aesthetically pleasing. The time it takes to build a mudhif depends on its size and typically ranges from 15 to 20 days.”
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