In Daquq, prized Abdali date takes on a Turkish-inspired name

KIRKUK — In the town of Daquq, south of Kirkuk governorate, a prized Iraqi date variety has taken on a new name inspired by Turkish cinema. The fruit, known across southern Iraq as Abdali, is called “Azraq Azraq” — Arabic for “Blue Blue” — by local Turkmen, a nod to the Turkish film Mavi Mavi starring singer Ibrahim Tatlises.

Shop owner Fares Shkoor said his store offers more than 20 varieties. “This year I brought the best and most delicious types of dates, especially from Hilla and Samawa,” he said. “Now I have more than 20 varieties such as red and yellow Maktoum, Khadhrawi, Fliifla, Makawi, Awidi, Barhi, Najdi, Buraim, Burban, Ajwa, Sullay, Hilwa al-Jabal, and ‘Azraq Azraq’ or Abdali.”

He added, “In the south it is called Abdali, but here our Turkmen brothers love to call it Azraq Azraq, which means Mavi Mavi in Turkish, after the famous movie starring Ibrahim Tatlises with its well-known song.”

Shkoor noted that demand has grown among customers from outside Kirkuk. “We provided the Sullay variety, which is special for diabetics, and there has been good turnout this year. I have customers from Duhok and Sulaymaniyah, and I noticed that people from Kurdistan prefer Barhi and Buraim for storage.”

For residents, the abundance marks a change from the past. “In previous decades we had to bring dates from the southern governorates, or from Khalis through travelers going to Baghdad,” said local resident Tahseen Mustafa. “Now most of the fine varieties are available in Daquq markets. As for Azraq Azraq, it comes from the name of a Turkish film. I did not know its original name and saw it for the first time here in Daquq, but it is preferred by our Turkmen brothers.”

Date seller Thaer Ahmed Abdullah said Daquq now has access to many varieties. “We have dates from Diyala, Khalis, and the southern governorates,” he said. “People of Daquq love dates because cultivation is very limited in our areas, and many families buy dates during this time of year to store them for winter or for Ramadan. Many fine varieties reach us, each with its own taste and flavor, and almost all are in demand.”