Grebase: Duhok’s ‘orange neighborhood’ where citrus trees flourish

DUHOK — One of Duhok’s oldest neighborhoods, known as Grebase, is nicknamed “The Orange Neighborhood” due to the abundance of orange trees planted in front of nearly every house. The soil in the area is particularly suited for growing citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and bitter oranges.

Grebase Neighborhood, established in 1970, has been home to residents who have maintained the tradition of planting orange and lemon trees alongside olive trees, taking advantage of the area’s fertile soil.

“I was told to plant orange trees when I built my house in 1970,” said Lucien Anoya, a 78-year-old Christian resident of Grebase. “Today, I have four orange trees and one lemon tree, producing over 30 kilograms of fruit each season.”

Another resident, Bayan Miziri, who has lived in the neighborhood for over 50 years, said, “Every house in this neighborhood has orange or lemon trees.”

Grebase Neighborhood is one of the oldest neighborhoods in central Duhok, with over 2,000 homes. The area is notable for its religious diversity, housing both Muslim and Christian families, with each home maintaining about two orange trees on average.