Thousands Attend Amedi Tahini Festival in Northern Duhok

Thousands Attend Amedi Tahini Festival in Northern Duhok

The town of Amedi in Duhok province this week hosted its annual festival celebrating locally produced tahini, drawing large crowds from across the Kurdistan Region and beyond.

Organizers said an estimated 25 tons of tahini were sold during the two-day festival, which concluded on Friday. Around 50,000 visitors attended the event, which featured dozens of stalls showcasing local products.

Chra Amedi, a local shopkeeper, said he sold half of the tahini he brought to the festival.

“We brought 500 tons of tahini and sold half of it,” he told Rudaw.

Strong Sales and Cultural Activities

Visitors stocked up on a wide range of local goods.

“I bought tahini, khabis [a locally made sweet], and several other products,” said festivalgoer Hiba Luqman.

In addition to the display of local produce, the festival featured musical performances, traditional folk dancing, and other cultural activities.

“This year’s festival was much better organized, more beautiful, and more crowded than last year and the year before,” said visitor Hayfa Amedi.

Growing Event and Local Production

Now in its third year, the festival continues to expand. According to organizer Karwan Amedi, the event has more than doubled in size since its first edition in 2023.

Amedi is home to 34 tahini grinders, many of which partially operate using hydroelectric power, producing the town’s well-known sesame paste.

The town produces hundreds of tons of tahini annually and exports its products to markets in the Netherlands and the United States, according to Hakar Hamid, head of the Amedi agriculture directorate.