CHAMCHAMAL, Kurdistan Region – In Sulaimani province’s town of Chamchamal men's traditional Kurdish outfits go by many different names. Choghal, Qamisy, Murad Khani, Star Khani, and more - the names vary depending on cut, design and even whether they have buttons or not. While designed to impress, the traditional costumes are also simple and comfortable to wear. However, they also often come with a big price tag, especially when compared to cheaper Chinese imports. The tailors who labour over every detail on the costumes say they face unfair competition. Tailor Masoud Omar says the minimum he can charge for sewing a Kurdish costume is 25,000 Iraqi dinars ($21), in addition to the cost of the fabric. Elsewhere in the market, a trouser and a shirt can go for 20,000 Iraqi dinars ($16). "Our business has been badly affected," he says. The tailors take a lot of pride in their work making traditional clothing. "It is the focus of attention and is very attractive to everyone. It is something elegant," says Shawkat Kakamend of the clothing. Most of the young people in Chamchamal prefer to wear trousers rather than the Kurdish costume, since the alternative is much cheaper. However, the older generation keeping is keeping the garment style alive. "It is not the same for the people my age and older. There are no other options, as they feel ashamed to wear trousers," says a customer at Chamchamal bazaar. The total cost of a normal Kurdish costume is between 40,000 to 150,000 Iraqi dinars ($33-$125). While a Maraz outfit which is made of goat wool costs up to 500,000 Iraqi dinars ($416).
