Culture

ORAL TRADITION

Salfa Streeko - The Tale of Streeko | Episode 1

Salfa Streeko (The Tale of Streeko) is a traditional Yazidi children folktale passed down through generations. Its purpose is to entertain and educate children about the values of generosity and accountability. The story revolves around a young boy known for his selflessness and reluctance to accept anything in return while holding others accountable for their actions. 

HISTORICAL SITE

Zewa Mem Shvan - Resistance, History, and Sanctity | Episode 2 

Zewa Mem Shvan is a historical and religious Yazidi site located northwest of the Khanke complex, near the edge of the Mosul dam reservoir in Duhok, Iraq. This sacred temple has suffered multiple destructions during the genocidal campaigns targeting the Yazidis in the region. 

ORAL TRADITION

Dowa Evare - A Prayer at Sunset | Episode 3 

Dowa Evare (Evening Prayer) is a Yazidi sunset prayer where the individual praying faces the sun. This prayer expresses gratitude and is typically performed in a secluded location to ensure privacy. 

TRADITIONAL PRACTICE

Dazike Batzmie - The Blessing String | Episode 4 

Dazike Batzmie or Basmbar is a sacred white and red string in the Yazidi culture, traditionally made during Batizmie ceremonies by spinning two strings of sheep’s wool or cotton separately, dyeing one red, and then spinning them together to create a single string with both colors. Yazidis wear it as a circle around their neck or wrist to symbolize good luck and fortune. 

ORAL TRADITION

Bayta Dne - A Religious Sermon on Human Behaviour | Episode 5 

Bayta Dne serves a dual purpose as both a sermon on moral conduct and a religious hymn, guiding individuals toward the right path and inspiring them to embody virtuous and just behavior. 

HISTORICAL SITE

Khana Ezi - A Cultural Legacy Under Clutches of Neglect | Episode 6 

Khana Ezi is among the ancient archaeological sites of the Yazidis, situated nearly one kilometer east of the Lalish temple. Historians and researchers suggest that Khana Ezi was built during the Babylonian era. The name "Khana Ezi" is believed to be a Yazidi Kurmanji translation of the Babylonian term "Ezida Kela" or "Ezida Kal," meaning the "House of the Almighty God."

Qasra Ali Beg - Rubble from the Cradle of the Emirate | Episode 7

Qasra Ali Beg is a historical edifice in Baadre, Shekhan District, northern Iraq. This site is under neglect, devastation, and forgetfulness today. Its walls became fragile and destroyed, and only remnants of rubble remained after it was once the cradle of the "Emirate of Ezidkhan." 

Bayta Mir Meh - Falak’s Lamentation on the Death of Mir Meh | Episode 8 

The arrival of the Angel of Death to capture Mir Meh's soul prompts a conversational lamentation between Falak and Mir Meh. Falak initiates the conversation by blaming Mir Meh for his disobedience, as he had been warned not to ascend the hill of groans. She also reproaches him for going home and distributing his three apples to people. In response, Mir Meh implores Falak not to amplify his groans and requests her to prepare for his burial in the traditional Yazidi manner by digging his grave. 

Madeh u Sana - Words in Praise of God | Episode 9

"Madeh u Sana" is a Yazidi hymn that glorifies and praises God for His power and the beauty of nature. 

Smat - A Traditional Yazidi Festival Dish | Episode 10

Smat is a traditional food associated with Yazidi festivals. Its connection to the past as a beloved dish has made it essential to social and religious occasions. Smat holds an important place in the intangible cultural heritage of the Ezidi people. To prepare Smat, bulgur, meat, chickpeas, onions, oil, and water are mixed and cooked in a large pot over an open flame until ready to be served and savored by all.

DANCE

Dilana Shingali - Traditional Dance in Sinjar | Episode 11

Dilana Shingali is a traditional Shingali dance that became integral to most social ceremonies among Yazidis, Kurds, and recently some Arabs.

HISTORICAL SITE

Jwankirna Amadeen - Renovation of Amadeen Dome | Episode 12

Traditionally, when a Yazidi dome or temple gets old, it’s a duty to renovate it. When the decision is made to do the renovation, the festival is called Jwankirn (renovation), and the celebration lasts seven days. In this video, you will watch the renovation celebrations of the Amadeen Dome. 

CELEBRATION

Eida Nishana - Honoring the Return of Sacred Symbols | Episode 13

Eida Nishana (Eid of Symbols) commemorates a historical and religious event associated with the day of restitution of Yazidi religious symbols and holy sites at the beginning of the 20th century. These were seized and looted during the extermination campaign led by Lieutenant General Omar Wahbi Pasha against the Yazidis at the end of the 19th century. Since that day, the Yazidis have celebrated this occasion yearly with various religious and social rituals.

TRADITIONAL PRACTICE

Generational Wool Craft - A Timeless Art | Episode 14

The art of spinning, weaving, and employing traditional knitting techniques with wool to craft a diverse range of items, including traditional garments, ropes, bags, and more.

CELEBRATION

Tawaf u Jamayee - Celebrating the Righteous in Festivals and Gatherings | Episode 15

Tawaf u Jamayee are periodic annual festivals and gatherings held at shrines and domes to honor righteous and holy men. The festivities include a whole range of activities, from serving food, performing prayers and hymns, making charitable donations and taking part in a variety of dances.

HISTORICAL SITE

Chele Haji Wso - Shelter of a Genocide Survivor (1840) | Episode 16

Chele Haji Wso is a mountain highland within Sinjar Mountain, honoring the memory of Haji Wso, a resilient Yazidi survivor who survived a genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire's military forces in 1840. This part of Sinjar Mountain once provided refuge and a home to this lone survivor. His family endured a recurring tragedy for five generations: only one family member survived each genocide.

ORAL TRADITION

Mem u Zin - Epic Eternal Love - Episode 17

"Mem u Zin" tells the story of Mem and Zeen, two young people who met through divine intervention and fell in love. Despite their deep bond, an evil figure named Bako Awana stopped their marriage and caused their tragic deaths. They were buried together, and Bako was brought to justice by Zeen's cousin. A weed grew from a drop of Bako's blood, symbolizing the separation of Mem and Zeen even in the afterlife.

ORAL TRADITION

Strana Dalana - Lamentation Song on the Genocidal Campaign against Yazidis in Khalta | Episode 18

Strana Dalana is a lamentation song-like about a genocidal campaign launched against Yazidis in the Yazidi homeland of Khalta, especially in Dalana (Turkey), in 1831. According to sources, the armed forces consisted of three brigades, each with approximately 60,000 soldiers.

ORAL TRADITION

Laveje Pire - The Story and Lamentation of Young Laveje | Episode 19

Traditionally, people attend funerals to lament someone's death. During a genocidal campaign targeting Mirgah (Yazidi Emirate), Avdal Omara joined the battlefield to defend his land accompanied by his young nephew Laveje. Avdal promised his sister Pire that he would keep Laveje safe. In the heat of battle, Laveje courageously rushed to save Avdal from a perilous situation, but tragically, he was fatally stabbed. His death led to a lamentation model performed during social and religious gatherings.

CELEBRATION

Gara Tawuse - A Tour of Religious Guidance and Problem Solving | Episode 20

Gara Tawuse, or Tawus Tour, is a biannual Yazidi tradition merging religious and social aspects. This tour of Yazidi villages is an ancient, vital practice. A copper Tawus, resembling a peacock, stands on a candlestick. In Yazidi belief, God sent the Angel Tawus to enrich Earth with colors, as Angels were made from light. Thus, Tawus is a sacred Yazidi symbol. The Tawus Tour to Yazidi villages and towns primarily aims to interpret religious texts, offer guidance, and address social issues, guiding individuals towards the right path.

CELEBRATION

Jamaya Sheshms - The Festival of Sheshms in Jafriye | Episode 21

Jamaya Sheshms is a yearly summer festival at Sheshms temple in Jafriye, north of Mount Sinjar. People (Sheshms followers) gather and celebrate to honor the righteous, holy man ‘Sheshms’ who was believed to be inspired by the power of the Sun.

TRADITIONAL PRACTICE

Safara Qola - Firewood Collection Campaign in Lalish | Episode 22

Safara Qola is a yearly religious practice taking place in Lalish. Every year, during late March or Early April, people and religious men gather at Lalish Temple to collect the dry wood from the mountains surrounding the temple. This firewood is used for cooking purposes and purification of olive oil during olive oil production ceremonies in Lalish. 

CELEBRATION

Tawafa Khatare - A Three-Day Festival of Music, Dance, and Spiritual Reflections | Episode 23

Tawafa Khatare is a yearly festival taking place in Khatare Village. The ceremonies of this festival begin during the first week of May and last for three days, starting on Thursday and ending on Saturday. Ceremonies include charitable donations, serving food, the performance of religious prayers and hymns, and different types of traditional dances.

CELEBRATION

Tawafa Karajal - Honoring Him Who Fought for His People | Episode 24

Tawafa Karajal is an annual spring festival on Sina Mountain northeast of Sharya complex. The festival is held in commemoration of Karajal for his bravery and defense of his people. Ceremonies include serving food, performing Esheek (where the participants show respect to Karajal’s soul while holding small branches of trees), and dancing in a way that circles seven times.

ORAL TRADITION

Eida Khidelyas - Last Eid of the Yazidi Year | Episode 25

According to the Yazidi calendar, Eida Khidelyas (Khider Eliyas) is the last Yazidi Eid. According to the Yazidi belief, Khider and Eliyas are two holy figures with the same spirit and among the righteous and immortals. When talking about them, they are mentioned by one name, Khider Eliyas, as if they are one. It is believed that Khider Eliyas comes to visit every family that celebrates this holiday and gives his blessings for what is left of these families' crops before burying them. The crops must be buried under the ground for them to grow again, to ripen at the beginning of the Yazidi year, and to celebrate the return of life, as well as the return of the spirit of these crops to life on the ground, nearly two months after their burial. 

CELEBRATION

Eida Batzmie - A Week of Spiritual Rituals | Episode 26

Eida Batzmie is one of the ancient holidays for Jelka – an Ezidi tribe and it sometimes called Eida Pire Aali – a sacred holy figure who appeared, according to the prevailing belief of this tribe, to renew these holidays and these rituals that were practiced long ago, and were stopped due to the ongoing genocidal campaigns against the Ezidis. The ceremonies of these holidays begin on the last Sunday of December according to the Eastern calendar and end on the first Sunday of January. Thus, the Eid lasts for seven days, and each day has special ceremonies and rituals, including fasting, preparing Khawora (cake), celebrating, receiving guests, etc.

ORAL TRADITION

Strana Sheikh Mirza - Folklore Song on Yazidi Shamsani Sheikh's Execution in Khalta | Episode 27

Singing from Sinjar heritage about the events of the execution of Sheikh Mirza, one of the Yazidi Shamsani sheikhs, in the homeland of Khalta (south-eastern Turkey) around the year 1836.

ORAL TRADITION

Mir Meh - The Search for Immortality Legend by Hemo Hassan Bashar | Episode 28

Mir Meh is a legend in the Yazidi heritage that talks about the story of a boy who escaped from death in search of a place where life is eternal when suddenly a deer appeared on his way! He follows the deer until it reaches the holy valley of Lalish, and there he meets Falak (a holy spirit in the form of a female in Paradise) and decides to stay with her as a brother and sister, offering him a condition, which is not to go up to the hill of groans! To finally fall for his curiosity first, then for his nostalgia for family and friends, and finally for his humanity and good heart! To end with the lamentation of Falak on his soul after it’s been taken by the Angel of Death!

DANCE

Dilana Garre - Authentic and enthusiastic Sinjari traditional dance | Episode 29

Dilan Garre is a traditional Shingali dance that was once very famous and was present in most of the social ceremonies among Ezidis. Older women and men commonly wear the traditional clothes presented in this video. This video is a nod to the older generation and shows that the younger generation is paying tribute and taking over to perpetuate traditions.

ORAL TRADITION

Mir Meh - The Search for Immortality Legend by Mirza Sino Ibrahim | Episode 30

Mir Meh is a legend in the Yazidi heritage that talks about the story of a boy who escaped from death in search of a place where life is eternal when suddenly a deer appeared on his way! He follows the deer until it reaches the holy valley of Lalish, and there he meets Falak (a holy spirit in the form of a female in Paradise) and decides to stay with her as a brother and sister offering him a condition, which is not to go up to the hill of groans! To finally fall for his curiosity first, then for his nostalgia for family and friends, and finally for his humanity and good heart! To end with the lamentation of Falak on his soul after it’s been taken by the Angel of Death!

ORAL TRADITION

Strana Khidelyas - A festive entertaining singing for the coming of Khidelyas Eid | Episode 31

A festive entertaining singing for the coming of Khidelyas Eid.

ORAL TRADITION

Tambour Tunes - Centuries of traditional musical melodies in Sinjar | Episode 32

Tambour instrument is one of the landmarks of Sinjar and Yazidi heritage, and in addition to singing, it has contributed greatly to preserving a large part of the oral heritage in Sinjar and the region.

ORAL TRADITION

Sroda Qadishlo - Music and singing from Yazidi religious heritage and literature | Episode 33

Music and singing from Yazidi religious heritage and literature.

MORE TO COME...