Kurdish people

If you are visiting Kurdistan, be careful, be wise, and be respectful.

The majority religion is Islam, but in addition to Islam there are many thriving communities.

The Kurd is not an early riser, and it is not easy to get him to move off in the morning. Our hosts always loved to pass the time of day chatting before we started, and villagers on the roadside would try and drag us in for coffee or tea; or if they had neither they were content to chat. Mason 1919, p 336

On arrival at our destination a fire was lighted, and our tea was made. No windows are accessible from the ground. There is generally no outlet for smoke in a Kurdish house, and as the fire is lit in the centre of the room on the floor, the smoke hangs heavily on the ground and fills the eyes. As one sits on the floor it is not very pleasant, especially late at night when reports have to be written up by the flickering light of a candle. Of the nights I will not say much. Those who know the country know the night visitors. I remember in particular one evening we spent in the main hut of a small village. In one apartment and under the same roof were our five selves, the owner, his family, a flock of goats, our ponies, and a donkey, besides all manner of creeping things. Mason 1919, p 336; edited for brevity

We lived and had our meals à la Kurd round the fire on the floor, and all of us dipping into the same bowl. Mason 1919, p 336