Name/Title
StereographEntry/Object ID
2023.055.3.0303Description
A black and white stereograph. Image is of a man floating in a circular raft, behind him is a large house on the riverfront. Above the image "V27704T Picturesque Homes of Walthy Jews along the Tigris in North Bagdad, Iraq." is printed, to the left of the image "Keystone View Company Copyrighted, Underwood & Underwood, Inc. Manufacturers MADE IN U.S.A. Publishers" is printed, to the right of the image "Meadville, Pa., New York, N. Y., Chicago, Ill., London, England." is printed. On the reverse the following is printed:
V27704
HOMES OF WALTHY JEWS ALONG TIGRIS IN NORTH BAGDAD, IRAK, MESOPOTAMIA
Here we have a glimpse of domestic life in Bagdad, that once great and princely city on the banks of the Tigris river. Although the houses before us are bult of inexpensieve materials and are of simple architectural desing, their location on the banks of this famous river and the feathery palms which crown the heights above charm the traveler from distant lands. Nebuchadnezzar, the great king, sailed his royal barge over these broad waters, rich in legendary lore an in historical incident. Bagdad itself, city of the Arabian Nights, is a thousand years old, and in ancient times was famous for its wealth, its scholarly men, and the religious and commercial zeal of its citizens.
The Tigris is one of the two large rivers which enclose the historic region of Mesopotamia. Its waters come from the highlands of Kurdistan and Armenia. On their way to the Persian Gulf they flow for nearly a thousand miles, a turbid, rapid stream. Circular boats (kufas) like the one before us, are used a great deal for short trips across or down stream. They are like enormous baskets, woven of palm fiber and made water-tight by a heavy coating of liquid bitumen.
In midsummer the heat is terrific, sometimes over 120 degrees, hence the masonry of these houses is massive, and laticed blinds and curtains shut out the blinding glare of the sun. As evening falls the inhabitants ascend to the flat roofs, seeking a breath of cool air. The balconies on these roofs are not merely for ornamental purposes, since the households often sleep on the roof rather than endure the stifling heat of the interiors.
Copyright by The Keystone View CompanyCollection
Photograph Collection