Baghdad's hidden history: inside Mesopotamia museum
One such collection is the Mesopotamia museum, curated by archivist Sabah al-Saadi. Founded in 2019, it offers a variety of exhibits, including paintings, heritage tools, newspapers, manuscripts, and rare documents. "Each piece tells a story of Iraq's past, and it's my mission to ensure these stories are not lost," al-Saadi said. The collection also features artifacts from notable scientific, political, and intellectual figures. The museum is open every Friday and welcomes both local and international visitors free of charge, with the added benefit of allowing photography.
Having coordinated with authorities to secure a space within the government-owned cultural center, al-Saadi has gathered over 500 rare items. Among these are possessions once owned by King Faisal I and his son, King Ghazi, as well as a photograph of Gertrude Bell, a key figure in modern Iraq's political formation. "We must preserve these artifacts as they are a testament to Iraq's complex history and its place in the world," he emphasized. The museum also displays rifles from the 1920 revolution, vintage newspapers, and an ancient transport vessel known as a "Kuffa," an early form of transportation made from bitumen. Another significant item is the "Jirjir," a traditional threshing implement once pulled by animals to separate grains from stalks.
One particularly unique item is a silk carpet crafted by prisoners during the monarchy era to support their families. Another notable piece is a 30-40 kg bronze artifact commemorating the July 14, 1958 revolution, which was lost after 2003 but later recovered from a scrap metal foundry. "It's miraculous that some items have survived and made it back into the collection," al-Saadi said.
His personal collection includes a 1928 Chevrolet once owned by Iraqi merchant Badri Dabash Samir and purchased at a US embassy auction. While he estimates the museum holds over 500 rare items, he keeps many valuable pieces at home for fear of them going missing. "Some treasures are too precious to be left on display," he shared.
Al-Saadi's passion for preserving Iraq's heritage stems from his roots in Al-Kadhimiyah, a district rich in historical significance. "Growing up in Al-Kadhimiyah, I witnessed the importance of safeguarding our cultural identity," he reflected. Over the years, he has contributed artifacts to various institutions, including gifting two gold-plated Qurans to the Al-Kadhimiyah Shrine. His efforts were recognized by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who praised his dedication to preserving Iraq's cultural legacy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
10 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Ilam: Historic Shirin and Farhad monument restored in Iwan city
Shafaq News – Ilam On Thursday, Iranian cultural authorities launched a restoration and preservation project for the historic Shirin and Farhad monument in the city of Eyvan, located in Feyli Ilam Province. According to a statement by Farzad Sharifi, Director General of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts in the province, two billion Iranian Rials ( Approx. $47,500) have been allocated from the provincial budget for the renovation and development of the site, which he described as a 'cultural treasure.' He noted that the monument dates back to the Sassanid era and is regarded locally as a symbol of love and affection. The arch, known as the Shirin and Farhad Arch, was officially registered on Iran's National Heritage List in the year 2000. Sharifi described the structure as a rare example of stone architecture, built entirely from large, meticulously carved stones and featuring a semi-underground chamber measuring 320 cm in length, 290 cm in width, and 220 cm in height. Situated in a mountainous and strategically important area of Eyvan, the monument stands out for its distinctive design and architectural style, which set it apart from other structures of the same era. The restoration project, he noted, aims not only to preserve this unique Sassanid-era landmark but also to revitalize the broader historical and cultural heritage of the region.
Shafaq News
3 days ago
- Shafaq News
Honoring creation: Mandaeans celebrate "Dehwa Rabba"
Shafaq News – Baghdad Members of Iraq's Mandaean community began observing the rituals of Dehwa Rabba—their most sacred holiday—on Tuesday, but this year's festivities have been suspended due to their overlap with the Islamic month of Muharram, a period of mourning for Shiite Muslims. The Mandaean religious leadership announced the cancellation of all public celebrations, limiting observances to religious rituals and prayers only, out of respect for the memory of Imam Hussein's martyrdom. Speaking to Shafaq News, Sheikh Sattar Jabar al-Hilu, the worldwide head of the Mandaean religion, explained that Dehwa Rabba marks the Mandaean New Year and the creation of the material world. 'In this holiday, the stars and seven planets were formed, and the secrets from which all worlds emerged were sown,' he said. The holiday lasts for seven days and includes 36 hours of complete seclusion. During this time, Mandaeans refrain from all contact with the outside world, avoid flowing water, and prepare by storing water in advance for household use. They are also prohibited from using razors or grooming tools and must take care to avoid any injuries, as bleeding is forbidden during this sacred time. These rules apply to both children and adults. The Mandaeans, one of the oldest monotheistic religions, trace their roots to the prophet Abraham and follow the teachings of John the Baptist. In Iraq, the community has historically lived in the south, near rivers and marshes, due to the essential role of running water in their rituals. Over the years, Iraq's Mandaeans have faced numerous challenges, including displacement and emigration. Many have relocated from the south to the Kurdistan Region, particularly Erbil, where a temple was established to accommodate their religious needs. The city has also become a new center for Mandaean goldsmiths—a traditional craft closely associated with the community.
Shafaq News
5 days ago
- Shafaq News
Iraqi craftsman revives ancient waterwheel tradition in Al-Anbar
Shafaq News - Ramadi In the western Iraqi town of Hit, craftsman Sirwan al-Kurdi is working to revive a centuries-old irrigation tradition once central to life across Al-Anbar: the wooden waterwheels known locally as na'oura. Born near the eastern rotating waterwheels of Hit, al-Kurdi spent his early years in a home just steps away from the river. As a child, he accompanied his mother to fetch water and closely observed the waterwheels lifting water effortlessly, operating without human intervention unless repair was needed. 'The melancholic creaking of the na'oura stirred the soul,' he recounted. 'We called it the na'oura symphony. In summer, families slept on rooftops while mothers sang. The wheel's rhythm would blend with their voices, and children would drift off peacefully. It felt like a lullaby for life itself.' That enduring presence ended abruptly on May 12, 1967, when a devastating flood swept down the Euphrates, inundating farmland and submerging the wheels from the Syrian border to Hit. 'At six years old, I watched farmers break down in tears as their na'oura collapsed,' al-Kurdi reflected. 'They stood helpless as their lifeline was destroyed.' While some structures were rebuilt, the traditional machines began vanishing by the mid-1970s following the introduction of electric pumps. Al-Kurdi, however, remained committed to their preservation. Over the years, he compiled knowledge from carpenters and veteran wheel-makers, determined to one day restore the heritage he had seen nearly disappear. That ambition began to materialize in 2019 when authorities approved the rehabilitation of four na'oura in Turba village, part of Hit district. Al-Kurdi played a lead role in the project under the guidance of Malik Subti al-Husseini, one of the region's foremost traditional wheel-makers. A second phase of the project followed in 2021. Alongside this fieldwork, al-Kurdi began crafting scaled models of traditional irrigation systems and ancient water-lifting devices. His first miniature—a gypsum-and-stone replica—was completed in 2010 and displayed at the Ahmad Aftan Martyrs Museum. Additional works followed, including a Sumerian dalia, a water mill, an animal-powered gear system, and wind- and water-driven wheels. All are now housed in his private museum. 'I wanted to release these dormant ideas from my mind and give them physical form,' he explained. 'The museum turns history into something visible and tangible for future generations. It serves as the voice of these ancient tools and the living memory of Mesopotamia's engineering legacy.' Despite his efforts, support has remained scarce. The initiative has relied entirely on personal funding, and according to al-Kurdi, the materials used in construction—mulberry wood, palm fronds, ropes made from natural fibers, and ceramic jugs (al-qawq)—have remained unchanged for centuries. Even after UNESCO added the na'oura craft to its Heritage of Water list, recognition remained largely symbolic. 'The only acknowledgment we received was a printed letter of thanks worth no more than 250 Iraqi dinars (19 cents),' he remarked. 'Craftsmanship alone is not enough,' he emphasized, stressing that success also depends on careful planning, a supportive environment, and strong emotional and familial backing. Without these elements, the entire body of work becomes vulnerable to extinction after the artisan is gone. He closed with a reflection from the 11th-century philosopher al-Ghazali, expressing the fragility of unshared craftsmanship in the absence of support and continuity, 'I spun them a fine thread, but found no weaver for my yarn—so I broke my spindle.'
