Sulaimani festival introduces Kurdish horses

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A first of its kind festival was held in Sulaimani on Tuesday to introduce Kurdish horses, coinciding with the anniversary of the province. 

The Introduction of the Native Kurdish Horses Festival was held under the auspices of Kurdistan Region Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani on Tuesday as part of activities to celebrate the 239th anniversary of Sulaimani province. 

The organizers said they aim to introduce Kurdish horses to the world. 

This is the first time such a festival was held in the Kurdistan Region. 

Three main types of Kurdish horses were displayed in the festival which was held at the Sulaimani University.

Some of the attendants and horse riders were wearing Kurdish traditional clothing.  

Historically, horses played an important role in the lives of the Kurds – they were the sole means of transportation bringing weapons and food to the Peshmerga in the mountains. 

Kurds identify several different horse breeds from across the Greater Kurdistan (Kurdish areas in Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Syria), including the Jaf, Afshari, and Sanjabi.

The horse riders and owners were awarded at the end of the event.