Postman

The Postman was the person responsible for delivering letters and parcels between neighborhoods and cities, either on foot or using horses or bicycles. He wore a distinct uniform and carried a large leather bag filled with messages. He was regarded as an important and respected figure for his role in connecting people at a time when modern means of communication were not yet available.

Typically dressed in blue or khaki with a cap and an official badge indicating his affiliation with the Department of Post and Telegraph, the postman handled letters stamped and sealed for delivery especially those sent between provinces and cities.

Remarkably, the mailman wasn’t just a courier. He often helped illiterate individuals by reading their letters aloud and sometimes even writing their replies for them. His job demanded a high level of honesty and punctuality, as he was entrusted with ensuring safe and timely delivery of correspondence.

The postman served as a vital link between Baghdad’s residents and their distant loved ones immigrants, travelers, or those stationed far away at a time when handwritten letters were the only bridge between hearts.

Though the profession has diminished with the rise of email and express delivery services, traditional postal workers still operate in certain rural areas and older neighborhoods, quietly carrying on a legacy that once held the weight of people’s hopes, sorrows, and joys.