Latest news with #Geimer
Shafaq News
2 days ago
- Business
- Shafaq News
Geimer shortage shadows over Eid Al-Adha morning in Diyala
Shafaq News/ Amid Eid al-Adha prayers and festive greetings in Diyala's streets, families upheld a cherished tradition of serving Geimer al-Arab for breakfast. This year, however, the beloved treat was hard to find. By early morning, shops across the province reported a complete sell-out of Geimer, driven by surging demand and a limited supply, pushing prices to record highs. The cost of one kilogram soared to 40,000 Iraqi dinars, double the typical price range of 15,000 to 20,000 dinars on regular days. In Baqubah's Al-Muallimeen neighborhood, local shop owner Ammar Ali described the unusual pace of sales. All available stock had been reserved or sold out by 8 a.m., with customers placing advance orders the previous night. Some buyers requested large quantities, enough for extended family gatherings and guests. The spike in prices reflects not only the seasonal demand but also a broader issue: a decline in traditional production. Geimer, typically made through labor-intensive, manual methods in rural areas, faces growing constraints. Producers in surrounding villages have scaled back due to drought conditions and a lack of government support for the livestock sector. With most urban markets relying on these rural suppliers, the supply chain has struggled to meet the Eid rush. "Geimer production can't keep up without formal, regulated facilities to fill the gap," Ali noted. In another part of Baqubah, near Al-Quds intersection, resident Mohammed Jameel Abu Ghaith recounted a taxing morning. After visiting six shops without success, he eventually found just a quarter-kilogram of Geimer in the Khuraisan area, paying 10,000 dinars for it. Abu Ghaith urged authorities to invest in rural communities where buffalo herding and Geimer production are inherited livelihoods, warning that dwindling numbers of producers in areas like Baqubah's outskirts, Jalawla, and Al-Khalis could lead to the disappearance of a cherished culinary staple from Diyala's Eid traditions.
Shafaq News
2 days ago
- General
- Shafaq News
From Baghdad to Hit: Eid breakfasts that define Iraq's cultural legacy
Shafaq News/ On the morning of Eid al-Adha*, long before the cities fully awaken, the scent of tradition rises from the kitchens of Iraq. In Baghdad, no celebration begins without Kahi — crisp, oven-baked pastry — topped with a generous layer of fresh Geimer, a rich clotted cream that transforms breakfast into a ritual of joy and nostalgia. Despite changing times, the Baghdadi table remains faithful to this beloved pairing, more than just a meal — it is the taste of childhood, a symbol of shared moments, and a quiet reminder that some traditions never fade. Hundreds of kilometers away, in the city of Hit in al-Anbar province, a different yet equally heartfelt tradition unfolds. As dawn light spills into the old alleys, the aroma of clarified butter and white beans stewing in broth signals a communal beginning to Eid. The city's signature breakfast — white rice with a hearty bean stew, often enriched with lamb or local chicken — is served in generous portions meant for the family, guests, and even neighbors. 'We grew up with this,' said Haj Sami al-Heeti, a local elder, to Shafaq News. 'Rice and white beans are part of our identity — not just food, but a blessing we gather around.' For Um Ubaida, a mother of five, no Eid feels right without it. 'We might change the sweets or Kleicha,' she noted, laughing, 'but the kids always ask: 'Did you make the beans yet?' It's heavy like lunch, but for us, it's emotional. It feels like the real start of Eid.' Each household in Hit adds its own touch — some prefer red meat, others chicken; some enrich it with cardamom and cinnamon, while others keep it simple. But what unites them is the essence: a dish that speaks of belonging and roots. Social researcher Ahmad Farhan told our agency that the Eid breakfast in the city is 'a vivid example of how communities preserve their cultural identity even through food,' noting that it reflects values of generosity, solidarity, and fidelity to tradition. And while global cuisine has made its way into modern Iraqi households, the younger generation hasn't let go. 'Sure, we can have pizza anytime,' said Ali al-Jumaili, a university student, 'but on Eid morning, it's always beans first. It's our way.' From Baghdad's golden Kahi and Geimer to Hit's comforting rice and beans, Eid in Iraq is not just a celebration — it is a story told through food, rich with flavor, memory, and meaning. *Eid al-Adha, known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is an Islamic holiday commemorating Prophet Ibrahim's (Abraham's) willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. Celebrated on the 10th day of the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah, it coincides with the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca. The festival involves special prayers and the ritual sacrifice of an animal—usually a sheep, goat, or cow—with the meat shared among family, friends, and those in need.
