The study of Zabara in the village of As-Sada between 1991 and 2002 is a historical and social study.

Abstract

Harawazi, or "Zbara", which has the closest meaning to "voluntary collective labour", is one of the most important informal and traditional social institutions in Kurdish society. For a long period, it played a significant role in the development of the economic, agricultural, and social life of villages. This research examines the role of Harawazi and analyses its role in the village of Roost between 1991 and 2002. This period marked a crucial phase when the traditional system of Harawazi significantly contributed to the reconstruction and socio-economic development of the village of Roost from 1991, especially after the Kurdish uprising. Since 1991, as the Kurdistan Region experienced a more peaceful and secure environment, many displaced families have gone back to their villages to rebuild homes, resume farming, and revive social life. In this context, Harawazi emerged as a fundamental mechanism for mobilising local human resources and strengthening social solidarity. The research aims to analyse the contribution of Harawazi to village reconstruction, agricultural development, and the preservation of Kurdish social values in Roost village. It also examines how this traditional institution strengthened social cohesion, trust, reciprocity, and collective responsibility among villagers during the period of post-conflict recovery. Methodologically, the researcher combines a qualitative historical approach and documentary analysis with oral history and semi-structured interviews conducted with elderly residents, inhabitants of Roost village, and individuals who actively participated in Harawazi activities during the period under study. The theoretical framework is based on the concepts of social capital developed by Pierre Bourdieu, James S. Coleman (1926–1995), and Robert D. Putnam. The findings demonstrate that Harawazi was not merely an economic practice, but also a cultural and social institution that played a decisive role in rebuilding houses, rehabilitating agricultural land, maintaining irrigation systems, strengthening collective capacity, and supporting poor and disadvantaged households. Harawazi reduced the costs of undertaking major projects, such as house construction, while simultaneously enhancing community resilience and preserving Kurdish traditions of solidarity and cooperation. It concludes that documenting this social tradition and preserving Harawazi as an element of Kurdish intangible cultural heritage is essential for understanding the historical development of rural communities and for informing contemporary rural development policy in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.