Food Storage in Sulaimaniyah During the 20th Century

Abstract

The history of food storage methods dates back to ancient times, with traditional techniques developed by residents of Sulaymaniyah to preserve food according to the seasons, climate, and air quality. These methods involved specific techniques and skills for storing various types of food, such as drying, freezing, or using natural cool places like caves and underground areas to prevent spoilage. This practice continued for many centuries until the invention of refrigerators in the mid-20th century. Over time, urban residents found it easier to store food using refrigeration, although initially, access to modern refrigeration equipment was limited due to high costs and availability. Importance of the study: The importance of this study is that it wants to analyze how storage, methods and tools and show how this civilizational phenomenon existed in a city like Sulaimani and how they stored food in the seasons.

Research Method: Historical, analytical and transitional methods are used to write this research and we try to use comparative methods at times.

Research Sources: Obviously, the main source of this research consists of a series of notes and interviews that are presented at the end of the research.

Before we mention the storage of food items by the residents of the city, we must take a brief look at the water and air of the city and how the residents of the city adapt to the seasons of the year. Because the treatment of the seasons varied from season to season, this had a full impact on all spheres of human life, the dominant water and air for the city was the Mediterranean water and air in winter The temperature is low and rainy, sometimes with snow depending on the altitude. Rainfall usually starts in October and lasts until May in winter, especially in December Temperature (5-6) degrees Humidity 76%, most of the nights and days of winter, especially in 12-1-2 temperatures were below zero degrees Celsius, heavy snow and rain fell in the city, the waters were freezing and snow on the ground City banks were formed. Most of the winters, the roads were blocked and there was no traffic. This is why the winter months are February, January and July. On the contrary, the summer season is dry, without rain and hot The average temperature in summer is between 21-24 degrees Celsius in August, reaching 42 degrees Celsius in August. The humidity in August is 21% Southeast winds are the second most common, with strong local winds called thunderstorms.