Daaboul Al Balam Mural

The Daaboul the Boatman mural was created in 1985 by Iraqi artist and writer Nuha Al Radi, and is considered one of the most iconic pieces of public art in Baghdad. It is located on Haifa Street, directly opposite the old British Embassy building in Baghdad, and serves as a visual narrative honoring a traditional figure from the city’s heritage.

The mural portrays Daaboul the Boatman (Daaboul Al Balam, one of the most renowned boatmen (Balam) who ferried people across the Tigris River, especially around the Karkh side of Baghdad during the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. In addition to his work on the river, Daaboul was known as a performer of Iraqi Maqam music, making him a beloved figure in both oral folklore and visual culture.

His story extended beyond real life and into the Iraqi theater, where he was celebrated as a cultural archetype. His character was performed on stage for a time before being famously embodied by Yusuf Al Ani, a close friend of Daaboul, in the 1970s play “Al Shari‘a” (The Riverbank), and later in the classic Iraqi film “Saeed Effendi.”

The mural by Nuha Al Radi preserves not only the memory of an individual, but the spirit of Baghdad’s river life and working-class traditions. It continues to stand as a symbol of urban folklore, blending art, memory, and identity in the ever-changing landscape of the Iraqi capital.