DILUCAN BOZÎ

Kobanî-Kurdish women, particularly old Kurdish women, keep preserving their traditions. Kurdish women have worn Kofi (a kind of scarves worn by Kurdish women) for centuries. They have worn Kofi on special days. Kurdish women have preserved this tradition for years. 70-year-old Saliha Ebdi Mustefa is one of these women.

Saliha Ebdi Mustefa, mother of nine, lives in Kobanî. She was married off at the age of 18. She has embroidered on canvas since her childhood. She has made Kofi at her home to earn a living and to preserve this tradition.

“This cultural tradition should be revived”

In the past, mothers and newly married women wore Kofi, said Saliha Ebdi Mustefa, who wants this cultural tradition to be revived. Her mother also made Kofi and sold them at home like her. She learned how to make Kofi from her mother. She showed us the Kofi on her head and said, “This is a priceless Kofi.” 

She preserves Kofi tradition

“Women are creative and they can do many things,” Saliha Ebdi Mustefa said, “I don’t want this tradition to disappear. I try to preserve this tradition.”