Ezidies, an everlasting tragedy

30/08/2018
893 7 minutes read
A displaced child from minority the Yazidi sect, fleeing violence from forces loyal to Islamic State in Sinjar town, carries a bottle of water as he makes his way to the Syrian border, on the outskirts of Sinjar mountain, near the Syrian border town of Elierbeh of Al-Hasakah Governorate August 10, 2014. Islamic State militants have killed at least 500 members of Iraq's Yazidi ethnic minority during their offensive in the north, Iraq's human rights minister told Reuters on Sunday. The Islamic State, which has declared a caliphate in parts of Iraq and Syria, has prompted tens of thousands of Yazidis and Christians to flee for their lives during their push to within a 30-minute drive of the Kurdish regional capital Arbil. Picture taken August 10, 2014. REUTERS/Rodi Said (IRAQ - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT)

Ezidies come from a past laden with oppression and massacre, they are targeted for genocide because of their distinct religious beliefs, however, despite their all the challenges they never gave up their beliefs, on the contrary, they tightly attached to and protect their  identity and history.

Ezidies have a bloody history and historically they have always been attacked and annihilated, the Turks call this process as “Farman” meaning it was an order to do so. The last wave of assault against Ezidies was the attack of the ISIS militants on Shingal on August 2014 in which thousands of Ezidies were displaced and uprooted.

Ezidies are a closed religious minority who believe that their religion is very old dating back to the history of mankind. However, historians of Ezidi religion classify their religion and believe that the history of Ezidi religion starts after the arrival of Islam. According to historians, the Ezidis revived their religion, their tradition with the hope that they can protect their own historical identity in the various different regions of the Middle East and thus their religious belief grew and was protected by themselves. Kurdistan was one of the main centre for those groups and the Kurdish language is a basic element and the language spoken in the religion of Kakais, Ali Elahi, and Ezidi religion.

Many of the sources relate the root of Ezidi religion to the twelfth century A.D, when “Sheikhadi Bin Musafir” traveled from Levant of Syria to “Lalish”  he turned an old Mithras and Nestorian Church into their own place of religious worship and started to expand this mystifying religion.

It is a complicated story to understand the roots and ancestry of “Sheikhadi Bin Musafir”, there are many different and ambiguous narratives about the life and death of this man, however, what is clear is that Bin Musafir lived in and around the twelfth century, he was a well-respected nobleman and is considered the founder and initiator of Ezidi religion. Lalish worship place and Sheikhadi are considered the holiest places and reverend shrines of the Ezidies.

Sheikhadi and its followers are hiding the secret of their religion from non-Ezidies for centuries. This is one reason the Ezidies are hiding themselves in the distant villages, valleys,  and treacherous hills and mountains of Shiekhan, Baarde, Baashqa and Shingal.

The Ezidies are always accused of many things because they do not like to enlighten non-Ezidies about the truth of their religion. The world of Ezidies are a closed world, no one can convert to Ezidi religion and no Ezidi can also leave and or convert to another religion. This religion can only expand through blood. The Ezidies have always lived as small groups and were spread in the towns and sub-districts surrounding Mosul, they are isolated group of people who were doing farming and raising animals as a source of income and livelihood and thus they have always protected their own cultures.

All the followers of this religion are ethnically kurds and they own two holy books called “Jalwa” and “Black Mashaf”. In this religion there is a system of that classifies the people into certain classes, there are some classes who inherit their social status from their forefathers. Even though they believe in polygamy they cannot marry from the other classes which they do not belong. They have to marry only from their own classes.

“Meer” and or the Prince is at the top of the religious and worldly authority. Meer is considered the leader of all the Ezidi people in the World and is the representative of the Shiekhadi. The Meer’s ancestry goes back to Shiekh Abu Barakaty son of Sakhar son of Sakhar son of Mosafir the nephew of Shiekhadi. The Meer has a God Like authority and they have absolute immunity, no one can disobey them and they supervise the religious and endowment affairs of all the Ezidies.

The current Meer “Prince” of Ezidies now is Meer Tahsin Bag son of Saeed Bag, he has been the Prince of Ezidies for the past 74 years. He was only nine year old when he become the Prince in 1945 and his grandmother Mayan Khatoon has become his advisor since then. Until now the Ezidies have never been able to change and or replace their Prince. For he becomes the Prince for life and even after his death the position of the Prince will be reserved for one of his son and or brother. The position of the Prince will be inherited from the same Prince family and the next prince should be born into a Prince family and no one can change this order.

Baba Shiekh is the second in rank after the position of the Prince. Baba Shiekh is the supreme leader of their religious doctrine. He is chairing the spiritual assembly of the Ezidies which is regarded as the highest spiritual authority.

Then the other classes are Shiekhs, Peer (Elderly), Fakeer (Poor), Mureed and Kochik. Each of these classes implement a specific affairs and or religious affairs of the Ezidies. Some of them make sacrifices to serve the shrine of Shiekhadi and are venerated for that service. Some others are reciting religious anthems on festivals and specific occasions and Mureed is also considered the lowest level of them.

The Ezidies fast only three days annually. They fast on 13th, 14th and 15th January of each year. They have several different feast days, the most important of them all is the Ezidi New Year Feast. This is celebrated every year on the first Wednesday of April and lasts for one week. They also celebrate the feast of Jama, the feast of Wednesday Sor and the peak of Summer season.

Each day the Ezidies light 156 candle lamps at the Lalish temple during the dusk. For hundreds of years they have allocated dozens of oil containers to burn the lights of this Worship place. They hold the lights in sequence and burn them with the olive oil. Each Wednesday twilight they light and burn 255 lamps as Wednesday is considered a consecrated day compared with the rest of the other days. This is because on Wednesday the Taws Malak ( Peacock King) was descending.  They also burn 366 candle lights on the other feasts of Jamaw, Summer Season, New Year and Wednesday Sor because the Ezidies have 366 days per an annual calendar.

According to the Ezidies”Taws Malak” is the king of all the other angels, rules the world with the support and assistance of seven other angels. Taws Malak is the closest angel to God and is his first creation.. God almighty have charged Taws Malak to administer and rule the world. According to their belief, when God almighty created the universe and Adam he ordered Taws Malak to kneel for Adam. However, Tawz Malak refused to do so and did not kneel. Then Taws Malak was punished by the rage of God. Then for seven thousand years Taws Malak was incessantly pleading to God to forgive him and God almighty forgave him. Thus according to the Ezidies Taws Malak is divine and leader of all the angels.

In Ezidi religion “sun, fire, soil and water” are sacred. According to their belief the source of the well of Zimzim water and Kani Spi (White Well) are springing and are located at the cave of Lalish mountain. This place is considered to be paradise and every one should be christened with Awa Mor (Purple Water). Black snakes are also considered sacred in Ezidi religion that is why the graves and shrines of all the good men of Ezidies are carved with snake icons. It is considered unholy and blasphemous act to kill a black snake. This is because as legends tell that during the epic global flooding the ark of Noah was subjected to holes and cracks and it was about to sink, however, it was black snakes which filled the gap and put themselves in those holes and this way they acted as saviors of all mankind.

Ezidies do not use blue color in their clothes and refrain from eating some vegetables and meat like cauliflower, rooster and cockerel. Some of the historians believe that Ezidism is an ancient kurdish religion prior to the advent of Islam and its roots date back to Zarazostrianism and Monism. The global dualistic philosophy of Zarazostrianism of light and darkness and the worship of sun can be detected in some anthems of this religion. One can see the engraving and carving of sun and sun iconography in most of the shrines and  house of worship  and the direction of their graves are facing the East and Sunrise.

In terms of tradition and religious beliefs Ezidies have many features in common with Islam, Christians, Judaism, Kakai, Zarazostrians and the root of all the Semitic religions can be seen in Ezidism. They practice circumcision just like Muslims and Jews and they also believe in sacrifice, charity and alms giving. Just like Christians they also practice baptism and the use of wine and music in their religious ceremonies and anthems, also like the Zarazostrians they believe in the consecration of sun and fire. Also like the kakais they believe in reincarnation of the soul and spirit.

In the house of worship of Lalish there are three sacred things mentioned which are also the same exact three things in Islam that people do pilgrimages for in Macca and Madina, these are Awi Zimzim(Zimzim Water), the mountain of Arafat and Pilgrimage.

The Ezidi population in Kurdistan is now estimated to be between 400,000 to 700,000 people. Some of them fled genocide, massacre and slaughter in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century and immigrated to Armenia and Georgia and until now they live there. Some of them also live in Hasaka and Afrin in Syria while some other Ezidi also live in Qars and Erdekhan in Turkey. The majority of Ezidi Diaspora live Germany. They immigrated to Germany in some different phases, in the 1970s the majority of the Ezidi from Northern Kurdistan went to Germany, later the Ezidis of the Former Soviet Union immigrated to Germany and even now the majority of those Ezidies who leave kurdistan go to Germany.

In Germany, the Ezidis have several organizations, social and cultural centers of their own and a few years ago an Ezidi girl named “Falaknas Oja” become a member of parliament in the European Parliamant. This Ezidi girl was born in Germany from a kurdish Ezidi family from Northern Kurdistan.

The Ezidis are now greatly concerned that their homeland has been turned into the theatre of war and political conflict. They believe what is happening now to their land is the most horrifying and tragic event in the history of the Ezidi people.

 

30/08/2018
893 7 minutes read

Related Articles

Photo of HIGH DANGER: The Dying Art of Climbing a Date Palm

HIGH DANGER: The Dying Art of Climbing a Date Palm

10/09/2022
Photo of DOUBLE THE PAIN: In underfunded, overcrowded Basra hospitals, birthing mothers are abused

DOUBLE THE PAIN: In underfunded, overcrowded Basra hospitals, birthing mothers are abused

31/03/2022
Photo of HAUNTED POST BOXES: Visiting Nasiriyah’s 1,000 abandoned letter boxes and the men who used to service them

HAUNTED POST BOXES: Visiting Nasiriyah’s 1,000 abandoned letter boxes and the men who used to service them

25/01/2022
Photo of ON REPEAT: The Sunni Speaker of Parliament returns. Will the same happen for Iraq’s prime minister and president?

ON REPEAT: The Sunni Speaker of Parliament returns. Will the same happen for Iraq’s prime minister and president?

25/01/2022

351 Comments

  2. I savor, cause I discovered just what I was looking for.
    You have ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day.

    Bye

  4. all the time i used to read smaller articles that also clear their motive, and that is also happening with
    this post which I am reading at this time.

  5. Whats up very nice blog!! Guy .. Beautiful ..

    Superb .. I will bookmark your blog and take the feeds additionally?I’m satisfied to find numerous useful
    information right here in the post, we’d like work out extra strategies on this regard, thank you for sharing.

    Here is my blog – Vialis Male Enhancement Pills (https://www.engelliler.biz.tr/)

  6. whoah this weblog is excellent i really
    like reading your articles. Stay up the great work!
    You know, many people are looking around for this information, you can help them
    greatly.

  7. When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added”
    checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four e-mails with
    the same comment. Is there any way you can remove
    people from that service? Thanks!

  8. Greetings! Very helpful advice within this post! It is the little changes which will make the biggest changes.
    Thanks for sharing!

  11. Ahaa, its nice dialogue on the topic of this article at this place at this weblog,
    I have read all that, so now me also commenting here.

  14. I constantly emailed this website post page to all my friends, for the reason that if like
    to read it afterward my friends will too.

  15. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems
    as though you relied on the video to make your point.

    You definitely know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence on just posting videos to your blog when you could be giving us something informative to read?

    my webpage … Summer Valley CBD Gummies

  16. Excellent post. I was checking constantly this blog
    and I’m impressed! Extremely useful info specifically the last
    part 🙂 I care for such information much. I was seeking this
    certain information for a very long time. Thank you and good luck.

    Also visit my webpage :: Renown CBD Gummies

  17. Hi there would you mind letting me know which
    web host you’re utilizing? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different
    web browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most.

    Can you suggest a good hosting provider at a fair price? Cheers, I appreciate it!

    My web page :: Glacier Air Conditioner

  20. Hi there everybody, here every person is sharing such familiarity, thus it’s pleasant to read this blog, and I
    used to pay a quick visit this web site all the time.

  24. Hi! This is kind of off topic but I need some help from an established blog.

    Is it difficult to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure
    things out pretty fast. I’m thinking about setting up my own but I’m not sure where to start.
    Do you have any tips or suggestions? Thank you

  25. hello there and thank you for your information –
    I have definitely picked up something new from right here.
    I did however expertise a few technical points using this
    website, since I experienced to reload the website lots of
    times previous to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your web hosting is OK?
    Not that I am complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will sometimes affect your placement in google and can damage your quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords.
    Well I’m adding this RSS to my e-mail and can look out for much more
    of your respective fascinating content. Ensure that you update this again very soon..

    Feel free to surf to my web site … Rapid Fire Keto Review

  29. Having read this I believed it was really enlightening.
    I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put
    this information together. I once again find myself spending a lot of time both reading and posting comments.
    But so what, it was still worth it!

    Also visit my web-site; Reneaux Skin Care

  43. I do not even know how I stopped up right here, however I thought this publish used
    to be great. I don’t recognise who you might be but definitely
    you are going to a well-known blogger when you aren’t already.
    Cheers! quest bars http://j.mp/3jZgEA2 quest bars

  44. I read this post fully regarding the comparison of latest and preceding technologies, it’s remarkable article.

    Feel free to surf to my blog post Maynard

  49. Thanks for another informative site. The place else
    may just I am getting that type of information written in such an ideal
    method? I’ve a undertaking that I’m just now running on, and I have been at the look out for such
    information. ps4 https://bit.ly/3nkdKIi ps4

  53. Somebody essentially help to make seriously posts I might state.
    That is the very first time I frequented your
    website page and thus far? I amazed with the research you made to
    make this particular submit incredible. Excellent task!

    my web blog: Reneaux Review

  55. I?m amazed, I have to admit. Rarely do I
    come across a blog that?s both educative and interesting, and let me
    tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. The problem is something
    which too few men and women are speaking intelligently about.
    Now i’m very happy I came across this in my search for something concerning this.

    Also visit my web blog … Nature Leaf CBD Review

  66. Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you writing
    this post and the rest of the site is also really good.

    Also visit my webpage – Ricky

  67. Howdy! Someone in my Myspace group shared this website with us so I came to check
    it out. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
    Great blog and superb design.

    Also visit my page; growing mini-course

  75. There’s certainly a lot to learn about this subject. I love all of the points you have made.

  78. Wonderful paintings! That is the type of info that are meant to be shared across the web.
    Disgrace on the seek engines for now not positioning this publish
    higher! Come on over and talk over with my site .
    Thank you =)

    my website; skincare products

  79. Hello mates, how is everything, and what you desire to say
    concerning this piece of writing, in my view its genuinely remarkable designed for me.

    Stop by my website – hemp seed

  81. I really love your blog.. Pleasant colors & theme. Did you build this web site yourself?
    Please reply back as I’m trying to create my own site
    and want to know where you got this from or exactly
    what the theme is called. Thank you!

    Feel free to visit my web-site: teens smoking

  87. Thank you for all of the effort on this blog. Kim takes pleasure in going
    through investigations and it’s obvious why. My partner and i learn all about the compelling manner you deliver priceless guidelines via this web site and in addition foster contribution from visitors on this issue and our own princess is truly studying a great deal.
    Enjoy the remaining portion of the year. You’re carrying out a superb job.

    Here is my blog post; safe diet pill

  88. I’m really enjoying the theme/design of your website.
    Do you ever run into any browser compatibility issues? A small number of my blog readers have complained about my site not
    operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Firefox.
    Do you have any ideas to help fix this problem?
    https://parttimejobshiredin30minutes.wildapricot.org/ part time jobs hired
    in 30 minutes

  89. Link exchange is nothing else but it is simply placing the
    other person’s weblog link on your page at appropriate place
    and other person will also do similar in favor of you.

  90. Hey are using WordPress for your blog platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and create my own. Do you require any
    html coding knowledge to make your own blog?
    Any help would be greatly appreciated!

  110. I always emailed this website post page to all my associates, because if like to read it
    after that my links will too.

  120. I think everything posted was very reasonable. But, what about this?
    suppose you composed a catchier title? I am not suggesting your information is not good, but
    suppose you added something that makes people desire more?

    I mean Ezidies, an everlasting tragedy – Al Menasa is a little plain. You should glance
    at Yahoo’s front page and note how they create article headlines to
    get people interested. You might add a related video or
    a picture or two to grab readers excited about what you’ve written. In my opinion, it
    might bring your posts a little livelier.

  128. I’m amazed, I have to admit. Rarely do I encounter a blog that’s
    both equally educative and interesting, and without a
    doubt, you have hit the nail on the head. The problem is something that too few folks are speaking
    intelligently about. I am very happy that I came across
    this in my hunt for something regarding this.

  130. It’s very trouble-free to find out any topic on web as compared to textbooks, as I found this
    article at this web site.

  131. It’s genuinely very difficult in this active life to listen news on Television, thus I simply use internet for that purpose, and
    obtain the hottest news.

  133. Greetings! This is my first visit to your blog!
    We are a team of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche.
    Your blog provided us valuable information to work on. You have
    done a marvellous job!

  134. Pretty portion of content. I simply stumbled upon your web
    site and in accession capital to say that I acquire actually loved account your blog
    posts. Anyway I will be subscribing on your feeds or even I fulfillment you get entry to consistently quickly.

  135. Heya i am for the first time here. I found this board and I find It
    really useful & it helped me out much. I hope to give something back and
    help others like you helped me.

  136. Hey there! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out
    and say I truly enjoy reading your articles. Can you recommend
    any other blogs/websites/forums that go over the same subjects?
    Thanks for your time!

  138. My coder is trying to persuade me to move to .net from PHP.
    I have always disliked the idea because of the costs.
    But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using WordPress on a number of websites for about a year and am worried about switching
    to another platform. I have heard fantastic things about blogengine.net.
    Is there a way I can import all my wordpress posts into it?
    Any help would be really appreciated!

  139. Hi, I think your website might be having browser compatibility
    issues. When I look at your blog site in Firefox, it
    looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
    I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that,
    very good blog!

  145. Neat blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download
    it from somewhere? A design like yours with a
    few simple tweeks would really make my blog stand out.
    Please let me know where you got your theme. Kudos

  146. Hi there, after reading this amazing piece of writing i am also delighted to share my
    knowledge here with colleagues.

  150. I think that what you posted was actually very logical.
    But, consider this, suppose you were to create a awesome headline?
    I am not suggesting your content is not solid, but suppose you added a title that makes people want more?
    I mean Ezidies, an everlasting tragedy – Al Menasa is a little vanilla.
    You should peek at Yahoo’s front page and see how they write article headlines to get viewers to click.
    You might try adding a video or a pic or two to grab people interested
    about everything’ve got to say. Just my opinion, it could make your posts a little
    livelier.

  152. Amazing issues here. I’m very satisfied to peer your article.
    Thanks a lot and I’m taking a look forward to contact you.
    Will you please drop me a mail?

  155. wonderful post, very informative. I’m wondering why the opposite specialists of this sector don’t understand this. You should continue your writing. I am confident, you have a huge readers’ base already!

  204. I’m amazed, I have to admit. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s both equally educative and interesting, and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The issue is something that too few people are speaking intelligently about. I’m very happy that I came across this in my hunt for something concerning this.

  215. Undeniably imagine that which you stated. Your favorite
    reason appeared to be on the net the easiest thing to understand of.
    I say to you, I certainly get annoyed at the same time as other folks consider issues that they
    plainly don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top as neatly
    as defined out the whole thing with no need side-effects ,
    folks can take a signal. Will probably be again to get more.
    Thank you

  216. I really love your website.. Excellent colors & theme.
    Did you create this amazing site yourself? Please reply back as I’m looking to
    create my own personal website and would love to learn where
    you got this from or just what the theme is called.

    Many thanks!

  217. Hey there! Quick question that’s entirely off topic.
    Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly?
    My weblog looks weird when viewing from my iphone4.
    I’m trying to find a theme or plugin that might be able to fix this problem.
    If you have any recommendations, please share. Cheers!

  219. I do consider all of the concepts you’ve presented to your post.
    They’re really convincing and will definitely work. Nonetheless,
    the posts are too short for beginners. Could you please extend them a
    bit from next time? Thanks for the post.

  241. Greate pieces. Keep posting such kind of information on your
    site. Im really impressed by it.
    Hello there, You have done a fantastic job.
    I’ll certainly digg it and in my opinion recommend to my friends.

    I am sure they’ll be benefited from this site.

  248. I am really enjoying the theme/design of your blog.
    Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility issues?

    A number of my blog audience have complained about my site not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Safari.
    Do you have any ideas to help fix this issue?

  253. I do not know if it’s just me or if everyone else
    encountering problems with your website. It appears like some of the written text in your posts are running off the screen. Can somebody else please comment and let me know if
    this is happening to them as well? This may be a problem with my browser because I’ve had this happen previously.
    Appreciate it

  254. That is really attention-grabbing, You are a very professional blogger.

    I’ve joined your rss feed and stay up for in search of extra of your magnificent
    post. Additionally, I have shared your web site
    in my social networks

  258. I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your sites really nice, keep it up!
    I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back down the road.

    Many thanks

    Here is my web blog special

  261. Pretty great post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to mention that I’ve truly enjoyed browsing your
    weblog posts. In any case I will be subscribing for your
    rss feed and I hope you write again soon!

  264. Hey there! I simply wish to give you a huge thumbs up for your excellent info you have got right here on this post.
    I will be coming back to your website for more soon.

  267. magnificent post, very informative. I wonder why the opposite experts
    of this sector do not notice this. You must proceed your writing.
    I’m confident, you have a huge readers’ base already!

  269. Superb post but I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more
    on this subject? I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit more.
    Thanks!

  275. Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I’ve really
    enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to
    your feed and I hope you write again soon!

  279. Appreciating the hard work you put into your website and in depth information you
    present. It’s good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same out of date rehashed material.

    Excellent read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m including your RSS
    feeds to my Google account.

  311. I do believe all of the ideas you’ve presented for your post.
    They are very convincing and can certainly work. Nonetheless, the posts
    are too brief for starters. Could you please prolong them a bit
    from subsequent time? Thank you for the post.

  315. I’ve learn several just right stuff here. Certainly price bookmarking for revisiting.
    I wonder how so much attempt you place to make such a great informative website.

  335. fantastic issues altogether, you simply received a new reader. What could you recommend about your put up that you just made a few days ago? Any positive?

  346. After going over a few of the articles on your web page, I truly
    appreciate your technique of blogging. I added it
    to my bookmark webpage list and will be checking back in the near future.
    Take a look at my website too and tell me how you feel.

    Here is my website: tracfone special

  348. Normally I don’t read post on blogs, however I wish to
    say that this write-up very forced me to take a look at and do it!
    Your writing style has been surprised me. Thanks, very great
    post.

    Also visit my webpage … tracfone 2022

  349. hi!,I really like your writing very so much! percentage we be in contact extra approximately your post on AOL? I need an expert on this house to unravel my problem. Maybe that is you! Looking ahead to see you.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button