Although they are modest in their behavior, they are not particularly shy of strange men. The life of the woman villager or nomad is very rough and requires much heavy work. The Herki Kurd are particularly noted for their elaborate national costumes. The men's costumes consist of baggy, colored trousers and plain shirts with huge sleeves split at the wrist and tied at the elbow. Brightly colored vests and sashes are also worn.
Women usually wear heavy clothing that is embroidered with vivid colors.
Today, many rural Kurd have abandoned their native costumes for western style dress. Nearly all Kurds are Muslims , most being Shafite Sunnis. They first embraced Islam after the Arab conquests of the seventh century. Today, they look to Islam as a basis for social justice. Even among the Sunni Kurds, there are traces of an earlier pagan and violent type faith which sets them apart from other Muslims.