Erbil Museum highlights historic camera of Giwi Mukryani for World Black and White Photography Day

ERBIL — Marking World Black and White Photography Day, the Erbil Museum unveiled one of its rarest treasures; a camera belonging to Giwi Mukryani, a prominent figure in Kurdish photography.

The camera, dating back to 1934, remains one of the oldest in existence and is now part of the city’s cultural heritage.

“The Giwi Mukryani camera is housed at the Erbil Museum of Antiquities and was donated by Kurdistan Mukryani, his daughter, to be displayed for the public,” Omed Barznji, the museum director, told 964media. “The camera has been preserved as part of the city’s history, showcasing its cultural and artistic significance.”

The camera, now a centerpiece at the museum, captures a huge era of Kurdish history. Many of the 300 black-and-white photographs currently on display at the museum were taken using this very camera, offering a glimpse into the past and preserving moments from the early 20th century.

“This camera is not just an artifact but a storyteller,” Barznji added. “It connects us to the people and moments that shaped our history, making it an invaluable addition to the museum’s collection.”

Giwi Mukryani was a distinguished Kurdish publisher, journalist, lexicographer, and photographer whose contributions have left an indelible mark on Kurdish culture and heritage. Born in Mahabad, Iran, he moved to Baghdad in 1923 and later to Rawanduz in 1925. By 1926, Mukryani and his brother Huzni established the Kurdistan Printing House, which became a cornerstone for Kurdish literature and journalism. Through the printing house, they published the influential magazine Zari Kurmanji, which promoted the Kurdish language and culture during a pivotal period in Kurdish history.

Mukryani was also deeply committed to the preservation and development of the Kurdish language. Among his most notable works are “Ferhengî Kurdistan”, a Kurdish-Kurdish dictionary, and “Elfûbêy Kurdî Wênedar Be Tîpî Latînî”, which focused on the Kurdish alphabet in Latin script. His linguistic and literary efforts enriched Kurdish literature and strengthened the identity of the Kurdish people, ensuring that their language and cultural traditions were passed down to future generations.

Beyond his written works, Mukryani was a passionate photographer. In 1934, he brought one of the earliest cameras to Erbil, using it to document Kurdish life, thinkers, and key events. His photographs, many of which were in black and white, serve as a historical record of the early 20th century, offering unique insights into the social and cultural fabric of the region. Today, these photographs are treasured artifacts displayed in museums, symbolizing his efforts to capture and preserve the spirit of his people through visual storytelling.

Mukryani died on July 24, 1977, in Mosul and was laid to rest in Erbil. His legacy lives on through his groundbreaking works in journalism, linguistics, and photography. His daughter, Kurdistan Mukryani, is a respected Kurdish linguist, author, and women’s rights activist.