Erbil’s donkey market remains active despite seasonal dip in demand

ERBIL — As the colder months approach and the demand for donkeys typically decreases, Erbil’s donkey market remains surprisingly active, with up to 15 donkeys sold daily, even though sales have slowed slightly compared to the summer months.

Barzan Jambaz, a well-known trader at Erbil’s livestock market, told 964media, “I sell between 10 and 15 donkeys every day, with buyers coming from cities like Sulaymaniyah, Duhok, and other areas. Donkeys are a necessity, much like cars, especially in rural and mountainous regions.”

In many of these remote and rural areas, donkeys serve as an essential mode of transportation, particularly in villages where modern vehicles cannot easily access the rugged terrain. Their use is deeply tied to daily life in the countryside, where they help villagers with a wide range of tasks. Donkeys are commonly employed to transport goods, such as firewood, drinking water, and agricultural produce. In mountainous regions, shepherds depend on donkeys to carry supplies as they move their livestock between pastures. For many, donkeys are an affordable and reliable alternative to vehicles, especially in areas without proper roads.

“Donkeys are used to carry firewood for heating, shepherds use them when taking their sheep and goats to the plains and mountains, and even to bring drinking water back to the villages,” Jambaz said.

Donkeys still bring in a good income, with prices reaching up to 700,000 dinars (around $466 USD), according to Jambaz. “The healthier and more agile the donkey, the higher the price.” He explained that there are different breeds, such as the Kurdish and Baghdadi donkeys, with the latter being stronger and more agile, thus fetching a higher price in the market.

From Jambaz’s perspective, donkeys are highly undervalued for their intelligence. “They are much smarter than people give them credit for and are essential for certain jobs,” he noted. Despite this, in Kurdish culture, as well as in some neighboring communities, donkeys are often seen as unintelligent animals. Many proverbs and sayings reinforce this stereotype, and the term “donkey” is often used as an insult, implying stubbornness or foolishness.

Bistoon, another donkey trader, pointed out that donkeys are primarily used during the spring and summer by shepherds going to the mountains. “In the fall and winter, demand drops, but the market remains active, just at a lower scale,” he said.

Bistoon added, “I buy more donkeys now because I have a large space to keep them—over 100 donkeys at a time. I feed and take care of them through the winter, then sell them in the spring.”