Heritage celebrated at Al-Zubair’s ‘Al-Sikka’ festival

BASRA — The town of Al-Zubair witnessed a vibrant celebration of its cultural heritage on Sunday as part of the “Al-Sikka” festival, organized by the Durar Al-Iraq Association. The festival showcased traditional clothing, folk dances, and musical arts such as Khashaba, a music unique to the region that dates back to the 1940s and 50s, as part of the “Our Heritage, Our Identity” project.

The initiative aimed to educate 25 young men and women from Al-Zubair about the town’s traditions, empowering them to pass on this knowledge to others in the community. The culmination of their learning was celebrated in Sunday’s festival.

Ali Al-Matlabi, the project’s trainer, highlighted the importance of preserving Al-Zubair’s identity. “The people of Al-Zubair continue to cherish their traditions and customs,” Al-Matlabi told 964media. “We selected 25 participants, conducted a field survey on Al-Zubair’s identity, and worked with folk groups and academics to promote the city’s cultural significance. Today, we celebrate the success of the project with this final event, marking over a week of dedicated effort.”

The festival brought attention to Al-Zubair’s rich cultural practices, which are distinct from the rest of Basra. Mohammed Abu Ghanim, a representative of the folk groups, emphasized the city’s unique heritage.

“Al-Zubair has a deep reservoir of traditional events, including Khashaba musical performances, Hiywa dances. The city’s spirit and traditions set it apart from other areas in Basra,” Abu Ghanim said.

Locals shared their pride in the region’s customs. Abdullah Sarhan, a long-time resident, noted, “Our traditions include Eid breakfasts, Karkee’an celebrations, Ramadan family visits, and the heritage of sites like the Zubair bin Al-Awwam Mosque and the Imam Ali’s Khutwa. Even our traditional clothing, prepared by women for this project, reflects the richness of our heritage.”

The festival also highlighted the craftsmanship of local women, who created 28 traditional attire (disdasha), 30 children’s outfits, accessories, and handbags. Haifa Mohammed, a participant in the project, expressed her enthusiasm: “The festival includes performances by folk groups, displays of Al-Zubair’s heritage, and local dishes like the famous confectionary dumalooj. The women’s tailoring workshop added a special touch with beautifully crafted traditional clothing.”