My Life, My Food, My Kurdistan is a compelling story of a woman who immigrated to the United States after Saddam Husseins tyranny and purging of the Kurds in the 1970s. As a young girl, Chiman was in an arranged marriage, yet ultimately she tells a story of personal strength, achievement, and autonomy. She shows us that even the most turbulent journeys are often simultaneously rewarding. I would like to take this moment to acknowledge this powerful story from a strong woman and good friend.

My name is Chiman Zebari and I would like to share some details about the history of Kurds and about my life-detail such as my refugee movement to the United States, my family, and a few of my Kurdish recipes. I was born in Aqrah (in Kurdish it is called Akrê) in northern Iraq. I lived in Mosul for five years and six years in Erbil, which is called Hewlêr, Hevlêr in Kurdish.