Bundles of harvested reeds are stacked on the shore beside two motorized boats in the marshlands near Souq al-Shouyokh, Dhi Qar governorate. The reeds are collected at dawn and later sold for use in traditional construction and agriculture across Iraq. Photo by 964media
Marshland
Reed harvesters in Dhi Qar fuel traditional economy across southern Iraq
DHI QAR — Before dawn, reed collectors in Iraq’s Dhi Qar governorate head into the marshlands of Umm al-Wada, Khamisiya, and Nawashi to harvest bundles of reeds that power a traditional economy stretching from the wetlands to tomato farms in Basra.
At first light, workers begin cutting and bundling different types of reeds — known locally as Al-San‘a, Al-Barjal, and Al-Shibab — each used for specific purposes. The bundles are transported to Nasiriyah and then distributed across the south.
“We live off the reed now, and we collect the bundle we call ‘Al-San‘a,’” said Kareem Tareesh, a reed trader. “We gather it and traders come to take it for making mats and barriers. There’s also ‘Al-Barjal,’ a smaller bundle we send to Zubair in Basra governorate, where it’s used as fencing for tomato farms.”
Tareesh said Al-Shibab is especially valued for constructing traditional tribal guesthouses, or mudhifs. “We sell the bundle for 2,000 dinars ($1.41). ‘Al-Barjal’ goes for 400 dinars ($0.28). As for ‘Al-Shibab,’ its price ranges between 1,000 and 3,000 dinars ($0.70–$2.11), depending on the size,” he said.
Each harvester gathers what they can, often collecting 10 to 15 bundles per day. “Traders from Nasiriyah come to buy and then distribute the reeds to other governorates,” he said. “We go out in the morning, around five or six, to the marsh areas and work for two to three hours. This is independent work. It takes about ten minutes to reach the marshes, depending on the size of the boat — smaller boats are faster.”
Khedher Shnon, another trader, emphasized the region’s dependence on water. “Most of our living depends on water, whether for livestock or reed collecting. If the water stops or decreases, we’ll lose fish, reeds, and livestock,” he said. “This area is deprived and needs attention. We hope water will be provided.”
Trader Muthanna al-Asadi added, “This Al-Shibab is used in building mudhifs in all governorates. It’s made from dry reed, not green. Green reeds are useless for this purpose. Some of the reed goes to Al-Chibayish and Souq al-Shouyokh, where it’s made into Shibab and Hattar for the mudhif.”
“Our prices range from 2,000 to 2,500 dinars ($1.41–$1.76) per bundle. There are no different types of reed in our areas — only dry and green. The green reed can’t be used to make Shibab. It has to be dry and aged for at least a year.”
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