Many years ago, when I was a little girl, living far from a place called home. We had an old book, it was worn out, and torn out. I remember my father made many calls, and waited many months until we received our copy. A relative gave it to a friend, who then gave it to their friend, who somehow brought it to the town we were living in, in Australia — on the other side of the world.
The story behind the book brings back bitter-sweet memories. Sweet, because my father made many tireless attempts for me to learn to read and write Kurdish from that book despite how far we were from Kurdistan. Bitter, because little Sazo was not interested. Little Sazo made excuses to avoid that Sunday afternoon session to learn to read and write in Kurdish, she complained.. a lot! This, my dearest loyal reader, is probably one of my life’s biggest regrets.
The point is, I have vivid memories of Dara, Zara and Zriwa who were children mentioned in the book. To this day, the little Kurdish I know how to read is rooted in this popular grade one book. Fast forward more than two decades, as a mother of two I recalled the memory and remembered I had seen the pages of the book featured by one of my favourite local talents, Tablo, popularly known on social media platforms as Kurdish Doodle.
Today, on my children’s wall sit the first few pages of that grade one book, a vintage for those who were born in the 1980s, it carries with it my refugee memories, it holds in it our parents’ tough days teaching under tents, in hiding and during war, it resembles the little education hope Kurds had in the most challenging times. I think as a mother who was brought up abroad, it is a reminder to ensure my children speak their first language — something I struggle with to this very day.
You see, individuals like Tablo, who resides in the cultural capital of Kurdistan, Slemani, has a unique artistic talent that takes us back to the beauty of the Kurdish culture. Through her art, and every piece she creates, Tablo makes us fall in love with aspects of our Kurdish culture all over again.
Sometimes Tablo uses humour, other times in her framed artistic work and cards she uses words that are frequently used, are popular, or reflect a certain tradition and culture within Kurdistan. Tablo and Shayan are probably the first two of few who designed cards inspired by Kurds and Kurdistan to be added to gifts or sent with a message inside.
Call me old school. Call me the 80’s child. Call me outdated… but the way to my heart is always a hand written note in a lovely card, picked just for me. Forget WhatsApp and a typed note. I like to see one’s emotions in their handwriting, I like to feel their words as they speak to me. Now, for those dearest and most loved to my heart, in a box in my favourite draw at home sit cards made with love, reflecting love of the Kurdish culture ready to be written in and gifted to those dearest and nearest. They were ordered through instagram, and delivered to my door within just a few days, by the very talented and lovely Tablo, from Kurdish Doodle.
Tablo, aside from cards also designs art work to be displayed on walls. All those beautiful personalised little things you find on sites such as Etsy, and wish to have access to in Kurdistan are now an Instagram message away from you. Her mind and hands work like magic. I have lost count of the times I have shamelessly scrolled right down to her first post on Instagram.
Kurdish Doodle is the perfect go to platform for a gift to your loved one, personalised and inspired by Kurdistan. It is perfect for that special card you want for that very special person to express a very special message. Unlike many gifts, it is something you can keep for a lifetime. That special message you want to say will never be lost in tens of thousands of other messages and photos. your loved one will forget about it and it will be lost somewhere in their old phone. Instead, with Kurdish Doodle your gift, or your message, will sit proudly in your loved ones’ most cherished place, it will remind them of you day after day… it only takes a doodle to say what you want to say…
We need to go back to sentimental gifts, to compressed flowers and hand written letters. I feel sorry for the 90s kids, who probably have never received a handwritten, handmade anything.
Next time you want a special gift, think Kurdish Doodle!
Until next time, lots of love from
My Nest in Kurdistan — as Tablo would write in her card Basaqawbm 😉
Note: All photos in this post (other than the first which are those in my children’s room) were taken from the Instagram page of Kurdish Doodle, you can send a direct message and make orders. Follow Tablo, and show appreciation for her artistic talent.
My Nest in Kurdistan 
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