The Yazidi Caste System: Sheikhs, Pirs, and Murids
The Yazidi caste system explained: the three hereditary castes of Sheikhs, Pirs and Murids, the leadership triad of Mir, Baba Sheikh and Pesh Imam, and how they bind the faith.
Read article →Kurdish History Journal
Kurdish Art and Culture
Articles filed under Kurdish Art and Culture.
Piran Viseh: The Noble Vizier of the Shahnameh
Piran Viseh in the Shahnameh: the wise Turanian vizier and peace-seeker who protected Siyavash's family and was mourned by his enemy Kay Khosrow at his death.
Read article →Farangis: The Loyal Queen of the Shahnameh
Farangis in the Shahnameh: the Turanian princess, faithful wife of Siyavash and mother of Kay Khosrow, who chose loyalty to her murdered husband over her own father.
Read article →Sindukht: The Diplomat-Queen of the Shahnameh
Sindukht in the Shahnameh: the wise queen of Kabul, mother of Rudaba, who through her own courage and diplomacy averted a war and united the houses of Iran and Kabul.
Read article →Sudabeh: The Queen Behind the Tragedy of Siyavash
Sudabeh in the Shahnameh: the queen of Iran whose passion for her stepson Siyavash and false accusation drove the pure prince into exile and a tragic death.
Read article →The Qewwals: Sacred Reciters of the Yazidi Faith
The Qewwals, the sacred reciter-musicians of the Yazidis: the hereditary class who chant the holy qewls on the daf and shibab and carry the peacock standards to the villages.
Read article →The Baba Sheikh: Spiritual Head of the Yazidis
The Baba Sheikh, the Father of the Sheikhs: the supreme spiritual leader of the Yazidis, drawn from the Shamsani line, seated at Lalish and appointed by the Mir.
Read article →The Mir: The Prince of the Yazidis
The Mir, the prince of the Yazidis: the hereditary temporal and spiritual head of the community, viceregent of Sheikh Adi, seated at Sheikhan and head of the Spiritual Council.
Read article →Sheikh Nasirdin: The Yazidi Angel of Death and Renewal
Sheikh Nasirdin, the Yazidi Angel of Death and Renewal: one of the four Shemsani sons of Ezdina Mir and one of the Seven Holy Beings, who parts the soul from the body.
Read article →Gordafarid: The Warrior-Woman of the Shahnameh
Gordafarid, the warrior-woman of the Shahnameh: the armoured heroine of the White Fortress who rode out to duel Sohrab and outwitted him to save her people.
Read article →Tahmineh: The Princess of Samangan in the Shahnameh
Tahmineh (Tahmina), the princess of Samangan in the Shahnameh: the bold beloved of Rostam and mother of the tragic Sohrab, whose token drives the epic's saddest tale.
Read article →Rudaba: The Princess of Kabul in the Shahnameh
Rudaba (Rudabeh), the princess of Kabul in the Shahnameh: the beloved of Zal, mother of the hero Rostam, and heroine of one of the epic's greatest love stories.
Read article →Iraj: The Murdered Prince of the Shahnameh
Iraj, the favoured youngest son of Fereydun in the Shahnameh: granted Iran in his father's division of the world, murdered by his jealous brothers Salm and Tur.
Read article →Sam: The Champion of the Shahnameh
Sam (Sam-e Nariman), the great champion of the Shahnameh: Iran's hero under three kings, father of Zal whom he abandoned to the Simurgh, and grandfather of Rostam.
Read article →Shah Khoshin: The Yarsani Manifestation of Luristan
Shah Khoshin, the third divine manifestation of the Kurdish Yarsani faith: the child of light born of a virgin in Luristan, in the epoch before Sultan Sahak.
Read article →Perdiwar: The Holy Sanctuary of the Yarsani Faith
Perdiwar, the holiest sanctuary of the Kurdish Yarsani faith: the place on the Sirwan river in Hawraman where Sultan Sahak founded the Ahl-e Haqq, revered as their Kaaba.
Read article →Baba Tahir: The Naked Dervish of Hamadan
Baba Tahir Hamadani, the 11th-century Naked dervish-poet of the do-bayti quatrains: revered as a saint in the Kurdish Yarsani faith and claimed across the Iranian world.
Read article →Sitiya Zin: The Noble Lady of Yazidism
Sitiya Zin (Siti Zin), the noble lady of Yazidism: daughter of Sheikh Adi, wife of Ezdina Mir, and mother of the saints of the Sun and the Moon.
Read article →Sheikh Hasan: The Yazidi Master of the Pen
Sheikh Hasan (Sexisin), the Yazidi Master of the Pen: one of the Seven Divine Beings, patron of writing and forefather of the Adani sheikhs, the faith's literate caste.
Read article →Ezdina Mir: The Yazidi Prince and Father of Saints
Ezdina Mir (Ezdine Mir), the 12th-century prince who ruled the Yazidis before Sheikh Adi: father of the four Shemsani saints and forefather of the Shemsani sheikhs.
Read article →Sheikh Fakhradin: The Yazidi Saint of the Moon
Sheikh Fakhradin (Sex Fexredin), the Yazidi saint of the Moon: one of the Seven Divine Beings, the philosopher and poet who composed the sacred qewls, son of Ezdina Mir.
Read article →Sheikh Mend: The Yazidi Lord of Snakes
Sheikh Mend, the Yazidi saint known as the Lord of Snakes: son of Sheikh Fakhradin, ruler of the Kurdish Emirate of Kilis and Ayyubid commander honoured by Saladin.
Read article →Sakiro: The Voice of the Serhad
Sakiro (1936-1996), the king of the dengbejs: the powerful Serhad voice and heir to Evdale Zeynike who kept Kurdish song alive through exile and the language ban.
Read article →Meryem Xan: The Voice That Broke the Silence
Meryem Xan (1904-1949), the first Kurdish woman to record her songs: the pioneering female dengbej who broke the silence for generations of Kurdish women singers.
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