In Kurdistan, where the mountains whisper ancient tales and the rivers carry the echoes of history, people still tell the story of a young girl whose life became a symbol of beauty, tragedy, and the enduring spirit of the Kurdish people. Known as Kchi Kafirros, or “the Straw Seller,” her story has been etched into the collective memory of the Kurds, not just as a tale of sorrow, but as symbol of the resilience of a people who have faced countless adversities.
In the 1930s, a young Kurdish girl’s life was forever changed when she was abducted by a British soldier in Erbil, Kurdistan. Her story, shrouded in mystery and intrigue, has captivated the imaginations of Kurds for generations.
The enigmatic figure of Kchi Kafirros
Kchi Kafirros, whose full name was Xecic Jum’a Mevlud Sekak, was born in 1920 in the village of Gangachin, in Eastern Kurdistan (northwestern Iran). By the age of 12, she had already become a figure of fascination all around. Her story, often shrouded in mystery, has been passed down through generations, each retelling adding layers of depth and emotion to her legacy; a woman like no other, whose beauty had no match anywhere in the world, captivating the hearts of locals, foreigners, and colonizers alike.
The name Kchi Kafirros was not just a nickname; it was a reflection of her family’s livelihood. Her father, Jum’a, ran a small shop in Erbil where he sold straw and other basic goods. The family – having fled their village due to political turmoil and the aftermath of the execution of the Kurdish leader Simko Shikak – settled in Erbil, where they struggled to rebuild their lives. Kafirros, along with her twin brother Mahmud, became the center of her father’s world.
The abduction: A tale of injustice
In 1934, tragedy struck. Kafirros was abducted near the lodge (tekiye) of Sheikh Abdulkerim in Erbil. Witnesses reported that she was taken by British officers who were stationed in Iraq during the British Mandate. The abduction was not random; it was a calculated act of power and control. Kafirros’ beauty had caught the attention of a high-ranking British officer, who had repeatedly attempted to persuade her family with offers of wealth and status. When her father, Jum’a, refused to trade his daughter’s dignity for material gain, the officer resorted to force.
The abduction of Kafirros sent shockwaves through the community. Her father, devastated and powerless, sought justice through the local authorities, but to no avail. Months later, he was informed that Kafirros had been taken to Britain, far beyond his reach. The loss of his daughter broke Jum’a, and he passed away five years later, his heart heavy with grief and unanswered questions.
The symbolism of Kchi Kafirros
Kafirros’ story transcends her individual tragedy. She became a symbol of the Kurdish struggle against oppression and injustice. A photograph of her circulated widely in Kurdistan following her abduction. The photograph, which depicted her in traditional Kurdish attire, with her striking features and bright eyes, became the epitome of beauty, mystery, and resilience.
Her story also highlights the intersection of gender, power, and colonialism; a female underage colonized ‘subject’ being harassed and kidnapped by their colonial occupiers. Kafirros’ abduction was not just a personal tragedy; it was a reflection of the broader struggles faced by Kurdish women, who have often been caught in the crossfire of political and social unrest at a time when maps were drawn to serve the ethnic groups loyal to colonial powers. Her story resembles the experiences of countless Kurdish women who have struggled and fought to preserve their dignity and identity in the face of occupation and colonization of their homeland.
The legacy of Kchi Kafirros
Kafirros’ legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of the Kurdish people. Her story has been often reflected upon in various Kurdish literary works, as well as in art and folklore. In 2012, a play titled Bent Meidi (The Daughter of Meidi) was performed, drawing inspiration from her life. The play, while fictionalized, captured the essence of her story and the broader themes of love, loss, and resistance.
Her family, too, has kept her memory alive. Sherzed Mahmud, Kafirros’ nephew, shared detailed accounts of her life, painting a vivid picture of a young girl who was full of life and promise. In particular, she worked to help her father, through whom she hoped for a better life and protection; a father who chose displacement and dislocation to provide for his family and protect them from persecution. Mahmud spoke of her love for traditional Kurdish foods like kifte, her preference for red dresses decorated with gold needlework, and her restless and determined spirit in the face of difficulties the family had faced.
A call for remembrance
Today, Kchi Kafirros remains a touching symbol for the Kurdish people. Her story is a call to remember the countless individuals who have suffered in the pursuit of justice and freedom under occupation and colonization. It is also a call to honor the women who have shaped Kurdish history, often at great personal cost, reiterating how difficult it is to have individual sovereignty without ethnic and national sovereignty.
According to Mahmud, “Kafirros was a symbol of our people’s strength and beauty.” Her story is our story, and it should never be forgotten.
As we think about Kafirros’ story, we are reminded of the necessity of conserving our cultural legacy and the stories that define us. Her legacy calls us to address historical injustices and work toward a future in which such tragedies do not occur again.
We still know nothing about her perspective in the story. No trace remains of her whereabouts. Her destiny and aspirations were silenced by the injustices of humankind, byproducts of colonialism and patriarchy, and the intersection of a hellish experience of being in the wrong place and time.
Zagros Nanakali is a writer and sports journalist based in the Kurdistan Region. With over three decades of experience, he has authored four books on sports and contributed numerous articles to the field.
