Seyid Riza: The Defiant Leader of Dersim (1863–1937)
- Kurdish History
- 5 days ago
- 11 min read
Introduction To Seyid Riza
In the shadowed valleys of Dersim, where the Munzur River carves through rugged mountains, the story of Seyid Riza stands as a testament to resistance against assimilation and oppression. Born around 1863 in the Ottoman Empire's Harput Vilayet and executed in 1937 amid the Turkish Republic's brutal campaigns, Seyid Riza was more than a tribal chieftain; he was a revered Alevi religious figure, a Kurdish political leader, and the emblematic face of the Dersim Rebellion. As a Zaza Alevi Kurd, he navigated the turbulent shift from imperial rule to nationalist centralization, embodying the struggle of his people against forced Turkification. His life, marked by alliances, defiance, and ultimate sacrifice, continues to resonate in Kurdish collective memory, symbolizing both cultural resilience and the human cost of state-building.
Seyid Riza's era was one of profound upheaval. The late Ottoman period saw ethnic tensions escalate, culminating in World War I and the empire's collapse. The emergence of the Turkish Republic under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1923 promised modernity but at the expense of minority identities. For Kurds, particularly the Alevi communities in Dersim (renamed Tunceli in 1935), this meant aggressive assimilation policies. Seyid Riza's leadership during the 1937–1938 rebellion highlighted these conflicts, where local autonomy clashed with Ankara's vision of a homogeneous nation-state. This blog post delves into his biography, drawing from historical accounts to explore his early years, rise to prominence, the rebellion, his tragic end, and enduring legacy.
Historical Backdrop: Kurds and Alevis in the Ottoman-Turkish Transition
The Kurds, a diverse ethnic group spanning modern-day Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria, have long inhabited the mountainous regions of eastern Anatolia. In the Ottoman Empire, they enjoyed relative autonomy under a millet system that recognized religious communities. However, the 19th century brought centralization efforts, exacerbated by the Tanzimat reforms and the rise of nationalism. The Zaza Kurds, speaking a distinct dialect, formed vibrant communities in Dersim, a region known for its Alevi faith—a syncretic branch of Shia Islam emphasizing mysticism, equality, and reverence for Ali, the Prophet's cousin.
Alevis, often marginalized by Sunni Ottoman authorities, faced suspicion due to their esoteric practices and communal governance. Dersim's tribes operated semi-independently, with leaders like Seyid Riza wielding both spiritual and temporal power. The Young Turk revolution of 1908 and subsequent genocides against Armenians in 1915 reshaped the demographics, with Kurds sometimes complicit but often protective of neighbors.
The Turkish War of Independence (1919–1923) promised equality, but the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne omitted Kurdish rights, leading to uprisings like Sheikh Said's in 1925 and Koçgiri in 1920–1921. Atatürk's regime pursued secularism and Turkification, banning Kurdish language and culture. The 1934 Resettlement Law aimed to disperse Kurds into Turkish-majority areas, while the 1935 Tunceli Law established military governance over Dersim, dubbing it the "Fourth Inspectorate General" under General Abdullah Alpdoğan. These policies framed Dersim as a "problem" zone, justifying military intervention. Seyid Riza's rebellion was the culmination of these tensions, the 27th Kurdish uprising since 1923 and a desperate bid for autonomy.
Early Life and Family Heritage
Seyid Riza was born circa 1863 in Lertik (now Pulur Lirtik), a village in the Ovacık district of what was then Harput Vilayet (present-day Ovacık, Tunceli Province). His exact birth date remains unknown, but historical consensus places it in this year. He was the youngest of four sons of Seyid Ibrahim, the esteemed leader of the Hesenan (or Hesênan) tribe, one of Dersim's prominent Alevi Kurdish clans. The family belonged to the Ocak dynasty, a lineage of religious leaders tracing descent from the Prophet Muhammad, earning them the title "Seyid" or "Sayyid"—a mark of spiritual authority.
Growing up in Dersim's isolated terrain, Seyid Riza was immersed in Alevi traditions and tribal customs. Alevism, with its emphasis on inner spirituality, poetry, and communal rituals like the cem ceremonies, shaped his worldview. He learned Zaza Kurdish, Turkish, and likely Persian, navigating the multilingual Ottoman milieu. Upon Seyid Ibrahim's death, Riza inherited leadership per his father's will, consolidating power over the Hesenan tribe. This succession was not merely political; as a Seyid, he attained the rank of "rehber" (guide), the highest in Alevi hierarchy, advising on spiritual matters and mediating disputes.
His family life reflected tribal norms. He had sons, including Uşene Seyid (also known as Seyid Hüseyin), who would share his fate, and others involved in regional affairs. Seyid Riza's household was a hub of hospitality, where Alevi values of equality and justice prevailed. Early on, he demonstrated leadership by fostering alliances among Dersim's fractious tribes, preparing for the challenges ahead.
Rise to Leadership: From Ottoman Loyalty to Republican Defiance
Seyid Riza's ascent coincided with World War I (1914–1918). As tribal chief, he aligned the Hesenan with the Ottoman Empire against Russian incursions in Eastern Anatolia. His forces defended borders, earning Ottoman gratitude. However, this loyalty was selective. During the 1915 Armenian Genocide, Ottoman authorities demanded he surrender Armenians for deportation. Seyid Riza refused, providing refuge to many, a act that underscored his humanitarian principles amid atrocity.
Post-war, as the empire crumbled, Seyid Riza supported Kurdish autonomy movements. He sheltered leaders of the 1920–1921 Koçgiri Rebellion, an early Kurdish uprising against the nascent Turkish state. This positioned him as a key figure in the broader Kurdish nationalist scene, forging ties with intellectuals like Dr. Nuri Dersimi and tribal leaders like Alişêr of Koçgiri. In Istanbul, he engaged with Kurdish societies, advocating for cultural rights.
By the 1920s, Dersim remained a de facto autonomous enclave, beyond Ankara's reach. Seyid Riza governed through tribal councils, resolving conflicts and preserving Alevi-Kurdish identity. The Turkish government's bans on Kurdish publications, persecution of speakers, and forced relocations fueled resentment. A purported letter from Seyid Riza to British Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden in 1937 lamented: "The government has tried to assimilate the Kurdish people for years, oppressing them, banning publications in Kurdish, persecuting those who speak Kurdish, forcibly deporting people from fertile parts of Kurdistan to uncultivated areas of Anatolia where many have perished. The prisons are full of non-combatants, intellectuals are shot, hanged or exiled to remote places. Three million Kurds demand to live in freedom and peace in their own country." Though authorship is debated (possibly penned by Nuri Dersimi), it captured the era's grievances.
The 1934 Resettlement Law and 1935 Tunceli Law formalized control, renaming Dersim and imposing military rule. Seyid Riza viewed these as existential threats, mobilizing tribes against assimilation.
The Dersim Rebellion: Sparks of Resistance
Tensions ignited in March 1937 during Nowruz (Newroz) festivities, a Kurdish spring celebration symbolizing renewal and resistance. Seyid Riza declared rebellion, rallying tribes against Turkish incursions. A wooden bridge over the Munzur was burned, and telephone lines cut, disrupting government access. Turkish forces blamed Seyid Riza, launching operations.
The rebellion was not a unified insurgency but a series of skirmishes defending local autonomy. Tribes, armed with outdated rifles, faced a modern Turkish army with artillery and aircraft. In January 1937, Seyid Riza sent a son as intermediary to General AlpdoÄŸan to negotiate peace; the son was killed, escalating violence.
By spring, Turkish troops conducted sweeps, massacring civilians. Aerial bombings, piloted by Sabiha Gökçen (Atatürk's adopted daughter), targeted villages. Official figures cite 13,806 deaths, but estimates range higher, with thousands exiled. Children were forcibly adopted and raised as Turks, erasing identities—a tragedy chronicled in "The Lost Girls of Dersim."
Seyid Riza's forces held out until September, but superior firepower prevailed. On September 12, 1937, en route to negotiations promised amnesty, he was arrested with 72 associates.
Arrest, Trial, and Execution: A Mockery of Justice
The trial in Elazığ was a farce, lasting two weeks with three hearings. Seyid Riza, aged 74, was ineligible for execution under Turkish law, but the court falsified his age to 54. Sentenced on a Saturday—unusual—to preempt Atatürk's visit and potential pardon. Without electricity, car headlights illuminated the courtroom; a hangman was hastily procured.
Eleven received death sentences, four commuted. Seyid Riza did not fully comprehend Turkish proceedings. Witness İhsan Sabri Çağlayangil recalled: "You will hang me," Seyid Riza said, then: "Did you come from Ankara to hang me?" He refused prayer, entrusted belongings to his son, and proclaimed: "We are the sons of Karbala. We are blameless. It is shameful. It is cruel. It is murder!" He placed the noose himself and kicked the chair on November 15, 1937. His son Uşene pleaded: "I'll be your slave! Feel some pity for my youth, don't kill me!"
A document suggests Atatürk met Seyid Riza the night before, offering clemency for an apology, which he refused. His body was secretly buried; the grave's location remains classified.
Legacy: Symbol of Resistance and Unresolved Trauma
Seyid Riza's death marked the end of traditional Kurdish autonomy in Dersim, but his legacy endures as a martyr. Annual commemorations on November 15 draw crowds in Dersim and diaspora communities, honoring him as a defender of Kurdish and Alevi identity.
In 2010, Tunceli Municipality erected a statue at a city entrance, naming the park after him—a gesture toward confronting history. Yet, controversies persist: lawsuits accused it of glorifying rebellion, and calls to remove it surfaced in 2019. President Abdullah Gül was petitioned about the grave during a visit; grandchildren continue demanding disclosure.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's 2011 apology for the massacre was historic but limited— no reparations or document releases followed. Seyid Riza symbolizes collective suffering, inspiring modern Kurdish movements like the PKK. In literature and art, he appears in works like "Dersim'in Kayıp Kızları," highlighting intergenerational trauma.
His story underscores the Kurdish question's persistence: demands for cultural rights, autonomy, and truth. As Kurds assert identity amid ongoing conflicts, Seyid Riza reminds us of resistance's cost and resilience's power.
Conclusion: Echoes from the Mountains
Seyid Riza (1863–1937) was a bridge between eras, from Ottoman tribalism to republican nationalism. His defiance against assimilation cost him his life but immortalized him as a hero. In Dersim's rebel mountains, his spirit lingers, urging reconciliation with the past. As global attention turns to minority rights, his legacy calls for justice, ensuring the voices of the oppressed are heard. This exploration, rooted in diverse sources, highlights the need to remember figures like Seyid Riza, whose struggles shape our understanding of identity and power.
Key Events and Timeline
To better appreciate the arc of Seyid Riza's life, here is a chronological timeline of key events, drawn from historical records. This timeline highlights his personal milestones, leadership roles, and the broader historical context that shaped his career, particularly during the Dersim Rebellion.
1863: Born in Lirtik village (now Pulur Lirtik), Ovacık district, Harput Vilayet, Ottoman Empire (present-day Tunceli Province). As the youngest son of Seyid Ibrahim, leader of the Hesenan (Hesênan) tribe, he grows up immersed in Alevi Kurdish traditions and tribal governance.
Early 1900s (exact date unknown): Succeeds his father Seyid Ibrahim as leader of the Hesenan tribe upon his death, in accordance with his will. Attains the spiritual rank of "rehber" (guide) in the Alevi hierarchy, consolidating both religious and political authority.
1914–1918 (World War I): Leads the Hesenan tribe in alliance with the Ottoman Empire against Russian forces during their occupation of Eastern Anatolia and the Dersim region, defending Ottoman borders.
1915 (Armenian Genocide): Refuses Ottoman demands to surrender Armenians for deportation, providing refuge to many in Dersim, demonstrating humanitarian principles amid widespread atrocities.
1920–1921 (Koçgiri Rebellion): Shelters leaders of the Koçgiri uprising, an early Kurdish revolt against the emerging Turkish state, positioning himself as a supporter of Kurdish autonomy.
1934–1935: Opposes the Turkish government's Resettlement Law (1934) and Tunceli Law (1935), which rename Dersim to Tunceli, impose military governance, and aim to assimilate and displace Kurds. Insists on autonomy and revocation of these laws.
March 1937: During Newroz (Nowruz) festivities, calls for rebellion against Turkish assimilation policies. Incidents include tribal attacks on infrastructure, such as burning a wooden bridge over the Munzur River and assaults on a police station in Sin and Pah.
March 20/21 and 26/27, 1937: Key tribal attacks against government targets in eastern central Dersim escalate the conflict, prompting a full-scale Turkish military campaign.
July 1937: Ally Alişer (Alişêr) and his wife are killed by their own people; their heads are sent to Turkish authorities. Seyid Riza sends a letter to the Turkish prime minister describing anti-Kurdish policies as a war of destruction.
September 10–12, 1937: Surrenders or is arrested in Erzincan Province while en route to peace negotiations with Turkish authorities, along with 72 associates. Transferred to Elazığ for trial.
November 15–18, 1937: Tried and executed by hanging in Elazığ, along with his son Resik Hüseyin (aged 16) and five to ten other associates, in a rushed trial without proper legal procedures. His age is falsified to allow the death penalty; buried in a secret location.
Q&A Section
Here are some frequently asked questions about Seyid Riza, based on historical accounts, to provide deeper insights into his life and legacy.
Q: Who was Seyid Riza? A: Seyid Riza (also spelled Seyit Rıza or Sayyid Riza) was a prominent Kurdish-Alevi leader, tribal chieftain, and religious figure from the Dersim region (now Tunceli, Turkey). He led the Hesenan tribe and became a symbol of resistance during the 1937–1938 Dersim Rebellion against the Turkish Republic's assimilation policies.
Q: When and where was Seyid Riza born and died? A: He was born around 1863 in Lirtik village (now Pulur Lirtik), Ovacık district, Harput Vilayet, Ottoman Empire (present-day Tunceli Province, Turkey). He was executed by hanging on November 15, 1937, in Elazığ, Turkey, following a rushed trial.
Q: What was his family background and early life like? A: Born as the youngest of four sons to Seyid Ibrahim, leader of the Hesenan tribe, Seyid Riza belonged to the Ocak dynasty of Alevi religious leaders, tracing descent from the Prophet Muhammad. He grew up in the rugged Dersim region, immersed in Alevi traditions, tribal customs, and multilingual Ottoman society (Zaza Kurdish, Turkish, possibly Persian).
Q: What leadership roles did he hold? A: Upon his father's death, Seyid Riza became chief of the Hesenan tribe and attained the Alevi spiritual rank of "rehber" (guide). He mediated tribal disputes, fostered alliances among Dersim tribes, and wielded both religious and political authority in the semi-autonomous region.
Q: How was he involved in World War I and the Armenian Genocide? A: During World War I, he allied with the Ottoman Empire against Russian forces. In 1915, he refused to surrender Armenians for deportation, providing refuge to many in Dersim, highlighting his humanitarian stance amid the genocide.
Q: What sparked the Dersim Rebellion under his leadership? A: The rebellion erupted in March 1937 amid opposition to Turkey's 1934 Resettlement Law and 1935 Tunceli Law, which imposed assimilation, military rule, and displacement. Seyid Riza rallied tribes during Newroz, leading to attacks on infrastructure and a full-scale uprising against Turkification policies.
Q: How did the rebellion end for Seyid Riza? A: After months of resistance, he was arrested on September 10–12, 1937, while heading to negotiations. Tried in a sham court in Elazığ, his age was falsified to allow execution. He was hanged on November 15, 1937, along with his son and others, and buried in a secret location.
Q: What is Seyid Riza's legacy? A: He is remembered as a martyr for Kurdish and Alevi rights, symbolizing resistance against oppression. Annual commemorations occur on November 15, and his story inspires modern Kurdish movements. In 2010, a statue was erected in Tunceli, though controversies persist. Efforts continue to locate his grave and seek justice for the Dersim massacre.
References
Here is a list of key references and sources used or relevant to the life and history of Seyid Riza (1863–1937), drawn from historical accounts, academic works, and online resources. These provide the foundation for understanding his role as a Kurdish-Alevi leader and the Dersim Rebellion.
"Seyid Riza." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seyid_Riza. Accessed January 22, 2026. Comprehensive biography covering his early life, leadership in Dersim, and execution during the 1937 rebellion.
"Gendered Dynamics of the Making of Tunceli and Commemorating Seyyid Riza in Dersim/Erecting a Statue in the Land of the Fallen." Gale Academic OneFile. https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA609735491&issn=1016362X&it=r&linkaccess=abs&p=AONE&sid=googleScholar&sw=w&v=2.1. Accessed January 22, 2026. Discusses the commemoration of Seyid Riza through statues and the gendered aspects of historical memory in Dersim.
"Dersim Massacre, 1937-1938." Sciences Po Mass Violence and Resistance - Research Network. https://www.sciencespo.fr/mass-violence-war-massacre-resistance/en/document/dersim-massacre-1937-1938.html. Published July 27, 2011. Accessed January 22, 2026. Detailed analysis of the Dersim events, including Seyid Riza's role as a tribal and religious leader demanding autonomy.
"Dersim: A Century of State-Led Destruction and Resistance." Springer Link. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-96-1583-4_4. Accessed January 22, 2026. Explores the historical context of Turkish policies in Dersim, Seyid Riza's execution, and ongoing demands for recognition and reparations.
"The 1937-1938 Dersim Massacre." Tim Drayton. https://www.timdrayton.com/a55.html. Published November 24, 2011. Accessed January 22, 2026. Narrative account of the rebellion, focusing on Seyid Riza as a key symbol of resistance and details of military operations.
These sources offer a mix of primary and secondary historical insights. For further reading, academic databases like JSTOR or books on Kurdish history and the Turkish Republic are recommended.