How Two Women Brought Kurdish 'Kofî' to the Heart of Europe

The woman wearing the intricately designed Kurdish kofî (a traditional embroidered headpiece) is Vahdet Uçar. Alongside her partner, Zubeyde Beyaz, she designs these headpieces and various other traditional items right from Poland.

Uçar does not just design the kofî; she exports them across Europe. Through her creations, she introduces foreigners to Kurdish history and cultural heritage. Her work has even caught the attention of the State Ethnographic Museum in Poland, which has invited the duo to showcase their collection.

While running this cultural venture, Uçar is concurrently pursuing her master's degree in Kurdish Studies at Mardin Artuklu University, conducting her academic research in Poland via the Erasmus program. She also works as an editor for a project joint-led by Botan International and the Digital Media Association. Today, however, our focus shifts from her academic accolades to her passion for the art and commerce of kofî making.

'The Day I Graduated from Kurdish Studies...'

"I am the daughter of an imam," Uçar shares, reflecting on her roots. "My entire childhood was steeped in a deep love for traditional Kurdish life and customs. Like many conservative Kurdish families, I dressed modestly and I choose to wear a hijab. To be honest, I never cared much for weddings or large parties, but I always loved dressing in traditional Kurdish clothing, especially for Newroz (Kurdish New Year) celebrations."

The turning point came on her graduation day. "When I completed my Kurdish Studies degree, I wanted to wear traditional attire, just like I would for Newroz. But this time, I didn't want to just wrap a standard scarf over my head. That day was the first time I ever placed a traditional kofî on my head."

The impact was immediate. "Good goodness, I fell completely in love with it," she recalls. "I couldn't get enough. From that day on, I promised myself that I would wear a Kurdish kofî every Newroz."

A Dream Born in Krakow

The bridge between her heritage and her current business was built in Poland.

"When I graduated in 2019, I moved to Krakow for an internship program," Uçar explains. "That is where Zubeyde and I formed a wonderful friendship. I returned home a year later, began working at Botan International, and temporarily stepped away from that chapter. Yet, every Newroz, Zubeyde would urge me, 'Come on, Vahdet, let's start the Kofî business!' I loved the idea, but I kept pushing the dream aside. Finally, when I returned to Krakow last year, Zubeyde's sheer enthusiasm and drive convinced me to launch within our very first week."

The Birth of 'Çilkezî'

Today, the business catering to a European clientele is thriving. "Many people buy them," Uçar says. "Some men purchase them as romantic anniversary or holiday gifts for their partners. We built a website to sell across Europe. However, due to customs complications, we currently cannot ship to countries like Turkey or Iraq."

Every single piece is a collaborative effort between the two founders. They named their brand Çilkezî (meaning "Forty Braids" in Kurdish).

"The name comes from traditional folklore," Uçar says. "It evokes the image of a powerful woman adorned with beautiful braids. We fell in love with the name, and that is how the story of Çilkezî Kofî truly began."