Yazidism: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Ancient monotheistic religion of the Yazidis}} |
{{Short description|Ancient monotheistic religion of the Yazidis}} |
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{{About| |
{{About|the religion|the people|Yazidis}} |
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{{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}} |
{{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}} |
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{{Verification|date=June 2022}} |
{{Verification|date=June 2022}} |
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{{Infobox religion |
{{Infobox religion |
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| name = Yazidism<br />{{ |
| name = Yazidism<br />{{hlist|Êzdiyatî|ئێزدیتی}} |
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| image = Pilgrims and festival at Lalish on the day of the Yezidi New Year in 2017 06 (cropped).jpg |
| image = Pilgrims and festival at Lalish on the day of the Yezidi New Year in 2017 06 (cropped).jpg |
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| alt = |
| alt = |
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| caption = Pilgrims celebrating the Yazidi |
| caption = Pilgrims celebrating the [[Yazidi New Year]] festival at [[Lalish]], [[Iraq]] |
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| abbreviation = |
| abbreviation = |
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| type = [[Ethnic religion |
| type = [[Ethnic religion]] |
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| main_classification = [[Iranian religions]]<ref name="Iranica">{{cite encyclopedia |last=Allison |first=Christine |title=YAZIDIS i. GENERAL |url=https://iranicaonline.org/articles/yazidis-i-general-1 |url-status=live |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Iranica]] |publisher=[[Columbia University]] |location=[[New York City|New York]] |date=20 September 2016 |orig-date=20 July 2004 |doi=10.1163/2330-4804_EIRO_COM_1252 |doi-access= |
| main_classification = [[Iranian religions]]<ref name="Iranica">{{cite encyclopedia |last=Allison |first=Christine |title=YAZIDIS i. GENERAL |url=https://iranicaonline.org/articles/yazidis-i-general-1 |url-status=live |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Iranica]] |publisher=[[Columbia University]] |location=[[New York City|New York]] |date=20 September 2016 |orig-date=20 July 2004 |doi=10.1163/2330-4804_EIRO_COM_1252 |doi-access= |issn=2330-4804 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161117105537/https://iranicaonline.org/articles/yazidis-i-general-1 |archive-date=17 November 2016 |access-date=9 January 2022}}</ref><ref name=":4" /> |
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| scripture = [[Yazidi Book of Revelation]], [[Yazidi Black Book]] |
| scripture = [[Yazidi Book of Revelation]], [[Yazidi Black Book]] |
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| theology = [[Monotheism|Monotheistic]] |
| theology = [[Monotheism|Monotheistic]] |
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| leader_title1 = Baba Sheikh |
| leader_title1 = Baba Sheikh |
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| leader_name1 = [[Sheikh Ali Ilyas]]<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-12-10|title=The Yazidis are still struggling to survive|newspaper=The Economist|url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2020/12/10/the-yazidis-are-still-struggling-to-survive|access-date=2021-01-08|issn=0013-0613}}</ref> |
| leader_name1 = [[Sheikh Ali Ilyas]]<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-12-10|title=The Yazidis are still struggling to survive|newspaper=The Economist|url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2020/12/10/the-yazidis-are-still-struggling-to-survive|access-date=2021-01-08|issn=0013-0613}}</ref> |
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| headquarters = [[Lalish]] |
| headquarters = [[Lalish]], [[Iraq]] |
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| language = [[ |
| language = [[Kurdish language|Kurdish]] ([[Kurmanji]]) |
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| founded_date = |
| founded_date =12th century |
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| founded_place = [[Kurdistan]] |
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| founded_place = [[Kurdistan]]<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Omarkhali |first1=Khanna |last2=Kreyenbroek |first2=Philip G. |title=Yezidism and Yezidi Studies in the early 21st century |journal=Kurdish Studies |date=2016 |volume=4 |issue=2 |page=122|doi=10.33182/ks.v4i2.424 }}</ref> |
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| members = {{ |
| members = {{Circa|1,000,000–1,500,000}} ([[Yazidis]])<ref>{{Cite book|last=Lamb|first=Christina|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fFj5DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA24|title=Our Bodies, Their Battlefields: War Through the Lives of Women|date=2020-09-22|publisher=Simon and Schuster|isbn=978-1-5011-9917-2|location=|pages=24|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Aziz Tamoyan blames unknown forces for crippling history and culture of Yazidis|url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/728005/aziz-tamoyan-blames-unknown-forces-for-crippling-history-and-culture-of-yazidis.html|access-date=2021-01-10|website=armenpress.am|language=en}}</ref> |
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| other_names = |
| other_names = Sharfadin |
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}} |
}} |
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{{Kurds}} |
{{Kurds}} |
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{{Yazidism}} |
{{Yazidism}} |
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'''Yazidism'''{{Efn|{{ |
'''Yazidism''',{{Efn|[[Kurdish language|Kurdish]]: ئێزدیتی, {{small|romanized:}} ''Êzdîtî'' or ''Êzdiyatî''}} also known as '''Sharfadin''',{{Efn|Sharfadin is a name for Yazidi faith:<ref name="Asatrian-Arakelova 2014">{{cite book |author1-last=Asatrian |author1-first=Garnik S. |author1-link=Garnik Asatrian |author2-last=Arakelova |author2-first=Victoria |year=2014 |title=The Religion of the Peacock Angel: The Yezidis and Their Spirit World |chapter=Part I: The One God - Malak-Tāwūs: The Leader of the Triad |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=y1RsBAAAQBAJ |location=[[Abingdon, Oxfordshire]] |publisher=[[Routledge]] |series=Gnostica |pages=1–28 |doi=10.4324/9781315728896 |isbn=978-1-84465-761-2 |oclc=931029996}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Rodziewicz|first1=Artur|title=Rediscovering Kurdistan's Cultures and Identities |chapter=The Nation of the Sur: The Yezidi Identity Between Modern and Ancient Myth |editor1-last=Bocheńska|editor1-first=Joanna|date=2018|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|location=Cham|isbn=978-0-415-07265-6|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JZ6JAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA29|page=272|doi=10.1007/978-3-319-93088-6_7}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=مهزارگههێ شهرفهدین هێشتا ژ ئالیێ هێزێن پێشمهرگهی ڤه دهێته پاراستن |url=https://www.lalishduhok.com/ckb/%D8%A6%DB%8E%D8%B2%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%AA%DB%8C/post/%D9%85%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1%DA%AF%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D9%87%DB%8E-%D8%B4%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D8%B1%D9%81%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D8%AF%DB%8C%D9%86-%D9%87%DB%8E%D8%B4%D8%AA%D8%A7-%DA%98-%D8%A6%D8%A7%D9%84/ |access-date=29 December 2019 |language=ku}}</ref><ref name=":5"/><br>[[Kurdish language|Kurdish]]: شهرفهدین, {{small|romanized:}} ''Şerfedîn''}} is a [[Monotheism|monotheistic]] [[ethnic religion]]{{efn|{{Cite book |last=Taneja |first=Preti |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P2otAQAAIAAJ&q=yazidis+4000+years |title=Assimilation, Exodus, Eradication: Iraq's Minority Communities Since 2003 |date=2007 |publisher=Minority Rights Group International |isbn=978-1-904584-60-5 |pages=13 |language=en}}<br>{{Cite book |last1=Chapman |first1=Chris |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9aQ9AQAAIAAJ&q=yazidis+4000+years |title=Uncertain Refuge, Dangerous Return: Iraq's Uprooted Minorities |last2=Taneja |first2=Preti |date=2009 |publisher=Minority Rights Group International |isbn=978-1-904584-90-2 |pages=8 |language=en}}<br>{{Cite book |last1=Muscati |first1=Samer |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tXw_AQAAIAAJ&q=yazidis+4000+years |title=On Vulnerable Ground: Violence Against Minority Communities in Nineveh Province's Disputed Territories |last2=Watch (Organization) |first2=Human Rights |date=2009 |publisher=Human Rights Watch |isbn=978-1-56432-552-5 |pages=18 |language=en}}<br>{{Cite book |last=Sorenson |first=David |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jOlgDwAAQBAJ&dq=yazidis+4000+years&pg=PA82 |title=An Introduction to the Modern Middle East, Student Economy Edition: History, Religion, Political Economy, Politics |date=2018-10-03 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-429-96271-4 |pages=82 |language=en}}}} that originated in [[Kurdistan]]<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Omarkhali |first1=Khanna |last2=Kreyenbroek |first2=Philip G. |date=2016 |title=Yezidism and Yezidi Studies in the early 21st century |journal=Kurdish Studies |volume=4 |issue=2 |page=122 |doi=10.33182/ks.v4i2.424}}</ref> and has roots in a western [[Ancient Iranian religion|Iranic pre-Zoroastrian religion]] directly derived from the [[Indo-Iranians|Indo-Iranian]] tradition.{{efn|{{Cite book |last=Turgut, Lokman |title=Ancient rites and old religions in Kurdistan |oclc=879288867}}<br>{{Cite journal |last=Kaczorowski |first=Karol |year=2014 |title=Yezidism and Proto-Indo-Iranian Religion |url=https://www.academia.edu/6928559 |journal=Fritillaria Kurdica. Bulletin of Kurdish Studies |language=en |number=3–4}}<br>{{Cite journal |last=Foltz |first=Richard |date=2017-06-01 |title=The "Original" Kurdish Religion? Kurdish Nationalism and the False Conflation of the Yezidi and Zoroastrian Traditions |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/18747167-12341309 |journal=Journal of Persianate Studies |volume=10 |issue=1 |pages=87–106 |doi=10.1163/18747167-12341309 |issn=1874-7094}}<br>{{Cite journal |last=Omarkhali |first=Khanna |year=2009–2010 |title=The status and role of the Yezidi legends and myths: to the question of comparative analysis of Yezidism, Yārisān (Ahl-e Haqq) and Zoroastrianism: a common substratum? |journal=Folia Orientalia |volume=45–46 |pages=197–219 |oclc=999248462}}<br>{{Cite book |last=Kreyenbroek |first=Philip G. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OTQqAQAAMAAJ&q=Ancient+iranian |title=Yezidism--its Background, Observances, and Textual Tradition |date=1995 |location=[[Lewiston, New York]] |publisher=[[Edwin Mellen Press]] |isbn=978-0-7734-9004-8 |language=en}}}} It is followed by the [[Kurdish languages|Kurdish]]-speaking [[Yazidis]], and is based on belief in one God who created the world and entrusted it into the care of seven [[Holy]] Beings, known as [[Angel]]s.<ref name="Asatrian-Arakelova 2014"/><ref name="Birgül">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ql4BAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA71|title=The Yezidis: The History of a Community, Culture and Religion|last=Açikyildiz|first=Birgül|date=2014-12-23|publisher=I.B.Tauris|isbn=9780857720610|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Allison 2017">{{cite encyclopedia |author-last=Allison |author-first=Christine |date=25 January 2017 |title=The Yazidis |url=https://oxfordre.com/religion/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199340378.001.0001/acrefore-9780199340378-e-254 |encyclopedia=Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Religion |location=[[Oxford]] |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |doi=10.1093/acrefore/9780199340378.013.254 |isbn=9780199340378 |doi-access= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190311065225/https://oxfordre.com/religion/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199340378.001.0001/acrefore-9780199340378-e-254 |archive-date=11 March 2019 |url-status=live |access-date=15 May 2021}}</ref> Preeminent among these Angels is [[Tawûsî Melek]] ({{Literal translation|Peacock Angel}}, also spelled as ''Melek Taûs''), who is the leader of the Angels and who has authority over the world.<ref name="Asatrian-Arakelova 2014"/><ref name="Allison 2017"/><ref name="Maisel">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EFgIDgAAQBAJ&pg=PA44|title=Yezidis in Syria: Identity Building among a Double Minority|last=Maisel|first=Sebastian|date=2016-12-24|publisher=Lexington Books|isbn=9780739177754|language=en}}</ref> |
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(2) {{Cite journal |last=Kaczorowski |first=Karol |year=2014 |title=Yezidism and Proto-Indo-Iranian Religion |url=https://www.academia.edu/6928559 |journal=Fritillaria Kurdica. Bulletin of Kurdish Studies |language=en |number=3–4}} |
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(3) {{Cite journal |last=Foltz |first=Richard |date=2017-06-01 |title=The "Original" Kurdish Religion? Kurdish Nationalism and the False Conflation of the Yezidi and Zoroastrian Traditions |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/18747167-12341309 |journal=Journal of Persianate Studies |volume=10 |issue=1 |pages=87–106 |doi=10.1163/18747167-12341309 |issn=1874-7094}} |
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(4) {{Cite journal |last=Omarkhali |first=Khanna |year=2009–2010 |title=The status and role of the Yezidi legends and myths: to the question of comparative analysis of Yezidism, Yārisān (Ahl-e Haqq) and Zoroastrianism: a common substratum? |journal=Folia Orientalia |volume=45–46 |pages=197–219 |oclc=999248462}} |
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(5) {{Cite book |last=Kreyenbroek |first=Philip G. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OTQqAQAAMAAJ&q=Ancient+iranian |title=Yezidism--its Background, Observances, and Textual Tradition |date=1995 |location=[[Lewiston, New York]] |publisher=[[Edwin Mellen Press]] |isbn=978-0-7734-9004-8 |language=en}}</ref> It is followed by the mainly [[Kurdish languages|Kurdish]]-speaking [[Yazidis]] and is based on belief in one God who created the world and entrusted it into the care of seven [[Holy]] Beings, known as [[Angel]]s.<ref name="Asatrian-Arakelova 2014"/><ref name="Birgül">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ql4BAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA71|title=The Yezidis: The History of a Community, Culture and Religion|last=Açikyildiz|first=Birgül|date=2014-12-23|publisher=I.B.Tauris|isbn=9780857720610|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Allison 2017">{{cite encyclopedia |author-last=Allison |author-first=Christine |date=25 January 2017 |title=The Yazidis |url=https://oxfordre.com/religion/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199340378.001.0001/acrefore-9780199340378-e-254 |encyclopedia=Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Religion |location=[[Oxford]] |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |doi=10.1093/acrefore/9780199340378.013.254 |isbn=9780199340378 |doi-access=free |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190311065225/https://oxfordre.com/religion/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199340378.001.0001/acrefore-9780199340378-e-254 |archive-date=11 March 2019 |url-status=live |access-date=15 May 2021}}</ref> Preeminent among these Angels is [[Tawûsî Melek]] (also spelled as "Melek Taûs"), who is the leader of the Angels and who has authority over the world.<ref name="Asatrian-Arakelova 2014"/><ref name="Allison 2017"/><ref name="Maisel">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EFgIDgAAQBAJ&pg=PA44|title=Yezidis in Syria: Identity Building among a Double Minority|last=Maisel|first=Sebastian|date=2016-12-24|publisher=Lexington Books|isbn=9780739177754|language=en}}</ref> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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[[File:Views around the Yezidi shrine of Mame Reshan after its destruction by the Islamic State, in the Shingal mountains overlooking Shingal 06.jpg|thumb|upright|250px|Yazidi shrine of [[Mam Rashan Shrine|Mame Reshan]], partially destroyed by [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|ISIL]], in the [[Sinjar Mountains]].]] |
[[File:Views around the Yezidi shrine of Mame Reshan after its destruction by the Islamic State, in the Shingal mountains overlooking Shingal 06.jpg|thumb|upright|250px|Yazidi shrine of [[Mam Rashan Shrine|Mame Reshan]], partially destroyed by [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|ISIL]], in the [[Sinjar Mountains]].]] |
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Yazidis believe in one God, whom they refer |
Yazidis believe in one God, to whom they refer as ''{{Lang|ku|Xwedê}}'', {{Lang|ku|Xwedawend}}, ''{{Lang|ku|Êzdan}}'', and ''{{Lang|ku|Pedsha}}'' ('King'), and, less commonly, ''{{Lang|ku|Ellah}}'' and ''{{Lang|ku|Heq}}''.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name="Birgül" /><ref name="Asatrian-Arakelova 2014"/><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Omarkhali |first=Khanna |title=Names of God and Forms of Address to God in Yezidism. With the Religious Hymn of the Lord |journal=Manuscripta Orientalia International Journal for Oriental Manuscript Research |volume=15 |number=2 |date=December 2009 |url=https://www.academia.edu/7918282|language=en}}</ref> According to some Yazidi hymns (known as ''Qewls''), God has 1,001 names, or 3,003 names according to other Qewls.<ref name="Kreyenbroek 2005" /><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=45N4DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA76|title=Deutsche Yeziden: Geschichte, Gegenwart, Prognosen|last=Kartal|first=Celalettin|date=2016-06-22|publisher=Tectum Wissenschaftsverlag|isbn=9783828864887|language=de}}</ref> In Yazidism, fire, water, air, and the earth are sacred elements that are not to be polluted. During prayer Yazidis face towards the Sun, for which they were often called "sun worshippers". The Yazidi [[Creation myth|myth of creation]] begins with the description of the emptiness and the absence of order in the [[Universe]]. Prior to the [[Cosmogony|World's creation]], God created a {{Lang|ku|dur}} (white pearl) in spiritual form from his own pure Light and alone dwelt in it.<ref name="Rodziewicz 2016">{{cite journal |author-last=Rodziewicz |author-first=Artur |date=December 2016 |title=And the Pearl Became an Egg: The Yezidi Red Wednesday and Its Cosmogonic Background |editor-last=Asatrian |editor-first=Garnik S. |editor-link=Garnik Asatrian |journal=[[Iran and the Caucasus]] |volume=20 |issue=3–4 |location=[[Leiden]] |publisher=[[Brill Publishers]] in collaboration with the Caucasian Centre for Iranian Studies ([[Yerevan]]) |pages=347–367 |doi=10.1163/1573384X-20160306 |eissn=1573-384X |issn=1609-8498 |jstor=44631092 |lccn=2001227055 |oclc=233145721}}</ref> First there was an esoteric world, and after that an exoteric world was created. Before the creation of this world God created seven Divine Beings (often called "Angels" in [[Yazidi literature]]) to whom he assigned all the world's affairs; the leader of the Seven Angels was appointed [[Melek Taus|Tawûsî Melek]] ("Peacock Angel").<ref name="Asatrian-Arakelova 2014"/><ref name="Allison 2017"/><ref name="Asatrian-Arakelova 2003">{{cite journal |author1-link=Garnik Asatrian |date=January 2003 |editor-last=Asatrian |editor-first=Garnik S. |title=Malak-Tāwūs: The Peacock Angel of the Yezidis |journal=[[Iran and the Caucasus]] |location=[[Leiden]] |publisher=[[Brill Publishers]] in collaboration with the Caucasian Centre for Iranian Studies ([[Yerevan]]) |volume=7 |issue=1–2 |pages=1–36 |doi=10.1163/157338403X00015 |issn=1609-8498 |eissn=1573-384X |jstor=4030968 |lccn=2001227055 |oclc=233145721 |author1-last=Asatrian |author1-first=Garnik S. |author2-last=Arakelova |author2-first=Victoria}}</ref> The end of Creation is closely connected with the creation of mankind and the transition from mythological to historical time.<ref name=":5" /><ref name="Maisel" /><ref name="Birgül" /> |
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===Tawûsî Melek=== |
===Tawûsî Melek=== |
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{{Main|Tawûsî Melek}} |
{{Main|Tawûsî Melek}} |
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[[File:Pavaangyal.jpg|thumb|upright|240px|Melek Taûs, the Peacock Angel. This emblem features Tawûsê Melek in the center, the [[Sumerian language|Sumerian]] ''[[Dingir|diĝir]]'' on the left, and the domes above [[Sheikh Adi ibn Musafir|Sheikh 'Adī]]'s tomb on the right.]] |
[[File:Pavaangyal.jpg|thumb|upright|240px|Melek Taûs, the Peacock Angel. This emblem features Tawûsê Melek in the center, the [[Sumerian language|Sumerian]] ''[[Dingir|diĝir]]'' on the left, and the domes above [[Sheikh Adi ibn Musafir|Sheikh 'Adī]]'s tomb on the right.]] |
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[[File:Yesidisches Gräberfeld Stadtfriedhof Hannover Lahe Pfau im Schaukasten auf dem Grab von Yezidi Suleiman Daoud.jpg|thumb|upright|240px|Tawûsî Melek depicted as a peacock inside the [[display case]] on the [[grave]] of a Yazidi believer, cemetery of the Yazidi community in [[ |
[[File:Yesidisches Gräberfeld Stadtfriedhof Hannover Lahe Pfau im Schaukasten auf dem Grab von Yezidi Suleiman Daoud.jpg|thumb|upright|240px|Tawûsî Melek depicted as a peacock inside the [[display case]] on the [[grave]] of a Yazidi believer, cemetery of the Yazidi community in [[Hanover]].]] |
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The Yazidis believe in a divine Triad.<ref name="Asatrian-Arakelova 2014"/><ref name="Allison 2017"/><ref name="Asatrian-Arakelova 2003"/> The original, hidden God of the Yazidis is considered to be [[Deus otiosus|remote and inactive]] in relation to his creation, except to contain and bind it together within his essence.<ref name="Asatrian-Arakelova 2014"/> His first [[Emanationism|emanation]] is [[Tawûsî Melek|Melek Taûs]] ({{Lang|ku|Tawûsî Melek}}), who functions as the ruler of the world.<ref name="Asatrian-Arakelova 2014"/><ref name="Allison 2017"/><ref name="Asatrian-Arakelova 2003"/> The second [[Hypostasis (philosophy and religion)|hypostasis]] of the divine Triad is the [[Sheikh Adi ibn Musafir|Sheikh 'Adī]]. The third is [[Sultan Ezid]]. These are the three hypostases of the one God. The identity of these three is sometimes blurred, with Sheikh 'Adī considered to be a manifestation of Tawûsî Melek and vice versa; the same also applies to Sultan Ezid.<ref name="Asatrian-Arakelova 2014"/> Yazidis are called ''{{Lang|ku|Miletê Tawûsî Melek}}'' ("the nation of Tawûsî Melek").<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Asatrian|first1=Garnik S.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=y1RsBAAAQBAJ&pg=PT23|title=The Religion of the Peacock Angel: The Yezidis and Their Spirit World|last2=Arakelova|first2=Victoria|date=2014-09-03|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-317-54428-9|language=en}}</ref> |
The Yazidis believe in a divine Triad.<ref name="Asatrian-Arakelova 2014"/><ref name="Allison 2017"/><ref name="Asatrian-Arakelova 2003"/> The original, hidden God of the Yazidis is considered to be [[Deus otiosus|remote and inactive]] in relation to his creation, except to contain and bind it together within his essence.<ref name="Asatrian-Arakelova 2014"/> His first [[Emanationism|emanation]] is [[Tawûsî Melek|Melek Taûs]] ({{Lang|ku|Tawûsî Melek}}), the Peacock Angel, who functions as the ruler of the world.<ref name="Asatrian-Arakelova 2014"/><ref name="Allison 2017"/><ref name="Asatrian-Arakelova 2003"/> The second [[Hypostasis (philosophy and religion)|hypostasis]] of the divine Triad is the [[Sheikh Adi ibn Musafir|Sheikh 'Adī]]. The third is [[Sultan Ezid]]. These are the three hypostases of the one God. The identity of these three is sometimes blurred, with Sheikh 'Adī considered to be a manifestation of Tawûsî Melek and vice versa; the same also applies to Sultan Ezid.<ref name="Asatrian-Arakelova 2014"/> Yazidis are called ''{{Lang|ku|Miletê Tawûsî Melek}}'' ("the nation of Tawûsî Melek").<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Asatrian|first1=Garnik S.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=y1RsBAAAQBAJ&pg=PT23|title=The Religion of the Peacock Angel: The Yezidis and Their Spirit World|last2=Arakelova|first2=Victoria|date=2014-09-03|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-317-54428-9|language=en}}</ref> |
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[[Muslims]] and [[Christians]] have erroneously associated and identified the Peacock Angel with their own conception of the unredeemed evil spirit [[Satan]],<ref name="Asatrian-Arakelova 2014"/><ref name="Allison 2017"/><ref name="Asatrian-Arakelova 2003"/><ref name=KurdsContemporaryOverview-1992>{{cite book|last1=van Bruinessen|first1=Martin|editor1-last=Kreyenbroek|editor1-first=Philip G.|editor2-last=Sperl|editor2-first=Stefan|title=The Kurds: A Contemporary Overview|date=1992|publisher=Routledge|location=London|isbn=978-0-415-07265-6|pages=[https://archive.org/details/kurds00pkre/page/26 26–52]|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JZ6JAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA29|chapter=Chapter 2: Kurdish society, ethnicity, nationalism and refugee problems|oclc=919303390|url=https://archive.org/details/kurds00pkre/page/26}}</ref>{{rp|29}}<ref name="Yezidis-Acikyildiz-2014">{{cite book|title=The Yezidis: The History of a Community, Culture and Religion|last1=Açikyildiz|first1=Birgül|date=2014|publisher=I.B. Tauris & Company|isbn=978-1-784-53216-1|location=London|oclc=888467694}}</ref> a misconception which has incited centuries of [[Persecution of Yazidis by Muslims|violent religious persecution of the Yazidis]] as "devil-worshippers".<ref name="Asatrian-Arakelova 2014"/><ref name="Allison 2017"/><ref name="Asatrian-Arakelova 2003"/><ref name=Atlantic-BriefHistoryOfYazidi-2014>{{cite news|last1=Li|first1=Shirley|title=A Very Brief History of the Yazidi and What They're Up Against in Iraq|url=http://www.thewire.com/global/2014/08/a-very-brief-history-of-the-yazidi-and-what-theyre-up-against/375806/|work=[[The Atlantic]]|date=8 August 2014}}</ref><ref name=Guardian-WhoAreTheYazidis-2014>{{cite news|last1=Jalabi|first1=Raya|title=Who are the Yazidis and why is Isis hunting them?|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/07/who-yazidi-isis-iraq-religion-ethnicity-mountains|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=11 August 2014}}</ref> Persecution of Yazidis has continued in their home communities within the borders of modern [[Iraq]].<ref name="Asatrian-Arakelova 2014"/><ref name="Allison 2017"/><ref name=Telegraph-YazidiDiaspora-2007>{{cite news|last1=Thomas|first1=Sean|title=The Devil worshippers of Iraq|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1560714/The-Devil-worshippers-of-Iraq.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1560714/The-Devil-worshippers-of-Iraq.html |archive-date=2022-01-12 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=19 August 2007|language=en}}{{cbignore}}</ref> |
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Yazidis, however, believe Tawûsî Melek is not a source of evil or wickedness.<ref name="Asatrian-Arakelova 2014"/><ref name="Allison 2017"/><ref name="Asatrian-Arakelova 2003"/> They consider him to be the leader of the [[archangel]]s, not a [[fallen angel]].<ref name="Asatrian-Arakelova 2014"/><ref name="Asatrian-Arakelova 2003"/><ref name=KurdsContemporaryOverview-1992 /><ref name=Yezidis-Acikyildiz-2014 |
Yazidis, however, believe Tawûsî Melek is not a source of evil or wickedness.<ref name="Asatrian-Arakelova 2014"/><ref name="Allison 2017"/><ref name="Asatrian-Arakelova 2003"/> They consider him to be the leader of the [[archangel]]s, not a [[fallen angel]].<ref name="Asatrian-Arakelova 2014"/><ref name="Asatrian-Arakelova 2003"/><ref name=KurdsContemporaryOverview-1992 /><ref name=Yezidis-Acikyildiz-2014 /> |
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{{Blockquote|The Yazidis of Kurdistan have been called many things, most notoriously 'devil-worshippers', a term used both by unsympathetic neighbours and fascinated Westerners. This sensational epithet is not only deeply offensive to the Yazidis themselves, but quite simply wrong.<ref name="leidenuniv1998">{{cite book |title=The Evolution of Yezidi Religion - From Spoken Word to Written Scripture |chapter = The Evolution of the Yezidi Religion. From Spoken Word to Written Scripture|chapter-url=https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/bitstream/handle/1887/16757/ISIM_1_The_Evolution_of_the_Yezidi_Religion_From_Spoken_Word_to_Written_Scripture.pdf?sequence=1 |website=Openaccess.leidenuniv.nl|year = 1998|volume = 1|issue = 1|pages = 14|publisher = ISIM, Leiden|last1 = Allison|first1 = C.}}</ref> Non-Yazidis have associated Melek Taûs with Shaitan (Islamic/Arab name) or Satan, but Yazidis find that offensive and do not actually mention that name.<ref name="leidenuniv1998" />}} |
{{Blockquote|The Yazidis of Kurdistan have been called many things, most notoriously 'devil-worshippers', a term used both by unsympathetic neighbours and fascinated Westerners. This sensational epithet is not only deeply offensive to the Yazidis themselves, but quite simply wrong.<ref name="leidenuniv1998">{{cite book |title=The Evolution of Yezidi Religion - From Spoken Word to Written Scripture |chapter = The Evolution of the Yezidi Religion. From Spoken Word to Written Scripture|chapter-url=https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/bitstream/handle/1887/16757/ISIM_1_The_Evolution_of_the_Yezidi_Religion_From_Spoken_Word_to_Written_Scripture.pdf?sequence=1 |website=Openaccess.leidenuniv.nl|year = 1998|volume = 1|issue = 1|pages = 14|publisher = ISIM, Leiden|last1 = Allison|first1 = C.}}</ref> Non-Yazidis have associated Melek Taûs with Shaitan (Islamic/Arab name) or Satan, but Yazidis find that offensive and do not actually mention that name.<ref name="leidenuniv1998" />}} |
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===Holy figures=== |
===Holy figures=== |
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{{Main|List of Yazidi holy figures}} |
{{Main|List of Yazidi holy figures}} |
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[[File:Jezida templo en aknaliĉo.jpg|thumb|upright|250px|[[Quba |
[[File:Jezida templo en aknaliĉo.jpg|thumb|upright|250px|[[Quba Mêrê Dîwanê]] is the largest temple of the [[Yazidis]] in the world, located in the [[Armenia]]n village of [[Aknalich]]. The temple is dedicated to Melek Taûs and the [[Yazidism#Seven Angels|Seven Angels]] of Yazidi theology.]] |
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Yezidis believe in Seven Angels, considered the [[Emanationism|emanations]] of God, who, In Yazidi [[Creation myth|creation stories]], were created by God from his own light (''{{Lang|ku|nûr}}'') before the creation of this world. God assigned all of the world's affairs to these seven Angels and Tawûsê Melek was appointed as the leader. The angels are also referred to as ''Heft Sirr'' ("the Seven Mysteries"). In this context, they have, so to speak, a part of God in themselves. Another word that is used for this is ''{{Lang|ku|sur}}'' or ''{{Lang|ku|sirr}}'' (literally: 'mystery'), which denotes a divine essence |
Yezidis believe in Seven Angels, considered the [[Emanationism|emanations]] of God, who, In Yazidi [[Creation myth|creation stories]], were created by God from his own light (''{{Lang|ku|nûr}}'') before the creation of this world. God assigned all of the world's affairs to these seven Angels and Tawûsê Melek was appointed as the leader. The angels are also referred to as ''Heft Sirr'' ("the Seven Mysteries"). In this context, they have, so to speak, a part of God in themselves. Another word that is used for this is ''{{Lang|ku|sur}}'' or ''{{Lang|ku|sirr}}'' (literally: 'mystery'), which denotes a divine essence from which the angels were created.<ref name="Eszter">{{Cite web|url=http://www.etd.ceu.hu/2009/mphspe02.pdf|title=Late Antique Motifs in Yezidi Oral Tradition|last=Spät|first=Eszter|date=2009|website=[[Central European University]]|page=71}}</ref> This pure divine essence called ''Sur'' or ''Sirr'' has its own personality and will and is also called ''{{Lang|ku|Sura Xudê}}'' ('the Sur of God').<ref>{{cite book|last1=Rodziewicz|first1=Artur|title=Rediscovering Kurdistan's Cultures and Identities |chapter=The Nation of the Sur: The Yezidi Identity Between Modern and Ancient Myth |editor1-last=Bocheńska|editor1-first=Joanna|date=2018|pages=259–326 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|location=Cham|isbn=978-0-415-07265-6|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JZ6JAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA29|doi=10.1007/978-3-319-93088-6_7}}</ref> This term refers to the essence of the Divine itself, that is, God. The Angels share this essence from their creator who is God.<ref name="Eszter" /> In religious literature, these Angels are sometimes referred to as [[Gabriel|Cibrayîl]], [[Azrail|Ezrayîl]], [[Michael (archangel)|Mîkayîl]], Şifqayîl, [[Darda'il|Derdayîl]], [[Israfil|Ezafîl]], and [[Azazil#Heterogen Traditions|Ezazîl]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Авдоев| first=Теймураз |script-title=ru:Историко-теософский аспект езидизма |language=ru |trans-title=Historical and Theosophical Aspect of Yezidism |year=2011 |isbn=978-5-905016-967 |url=https://www.academia.edu/32357769 |page=314| publisher=Э.РА }}</ref> The leader of these Angels is known as [[Melek Taus|Tawûsê Melek]], and the others are better known by the names of their earthly incarnations/representations: [[Fakhr ad-Din ibn Adi|Fexreddin]], [[Sheikh Shems]], [[Nasirdin (Yazidi saint)|Nasirdin]], [[Sejadin]], [[Sheikh Obekr]], and [[Al-Hasan ibn Adi|Shex Hesen]] (Şêxsin).<ref>{{Cite book|last=Murad|first=Jasim Elias|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WdTxtgAACAAJ|title=The Sacred Poems of the Yazidis: An Anthropological Approach|date=1993|publisher=University of California, Los Angeles|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite book|last=Kreyenbroek|first=Philip G.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OTQqAQAAMAAJ|title=Yezidism--its Background, Observances, and Textual Tradition|date=1995|location=[[Lewiston, New York]] |publisher=[[Edwin Mellen Press]] |isbn=978-0-7734-9004-8|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Açikyildiz|first=Birgül|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nuU4ygEACAAJ&q=Yezidi+beliefs|title=The Yezidis: The History of a Community, Culture and Religion|date=2019-12-17|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing Plc|isbn=978-1-350-14927-4|language=en}}</ref> |
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The [[List of Yazidi holy figures|Yazidi pantheon]] contains a total of 365 holy figures venerated by Yazidis,<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Spat |first=Eszter |date=2016-10-08 |title=Hola Hola Tawusi Melek, Hola Hola Şehidêt Şingalê: Persecution and the Development of Yezidi Ritual Life |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.33182/ks.v4i2.426 |journal=Kurdish Studies |volume=4 |issue=2 |pages=155–175 |doi=10.33182/ks.v4i2.426 |issn=2051-4891}}</ref> designated by various special terms including ''Xudan'', ''Xas'', ''Mêr'' and ''Babçak.'' According to Yazidi beliefs, God is almighty and absolute, and the ''Xudans'' are a part of His power, moreover, in relation to nature, Yazidis believe in Xudans for most of natural elements and phenomena and they are regarded as divine powers that have control over these phenomena. In Yazidi mythology, the Xudans appeared after the creation of the world for the [[Classical elements|four elements of nature]] and their manifestations.''<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Aysif |first=Rezan Shivan |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.17875/gup2021-1855 |title=The Role of Nature in Yezidism |date=2021 |publisher=Göttingen University Press |isbn=978-3-86395-514-4 |location=Göttingen |pages=94, 107|doi=10.17875/gup2021-1855 |s2cid=246596953 }}</ref>'' |
The [[List of Yazidi holy figures|Yazidi pantheon]] contains a total of 365 holy figures venerated by Yazidis,<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Spat |first=Eszter |date=2016-10-08 |title=Hola Hola Tawusi Melek, Hola Hola Şehidêt Şingalê: Persecution and the Development of Yezidi Ritual Life |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.33182/ks.v4i2.426 |journal=Kurdish Studies |volume=4 |issue=2 |pages=155–175 |doi=10.33182/ks.v4i2.426 |issn=2051-4891}}</ref> designated by various special terms including ''Xudan'', ''Xas'', ''Mêr'' and ''Babçak.'' According to Yazidi beliefs, God is almighty and absolute, and the ''Xudans'' are a part of His power, moreover, in relation to nature, Yazidis believe in Xudans for most of natural elements and phenomena and they are regarded as divine powers that have control over these phenomena. In Yazidi mythology, the Xudans appeared after the creation of the world for the [[Classical elements|four elements of nature]] and their manifestations.''<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Aysif |first=Rezan Shivan |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.17875/gup2021-1855 |title=The Role of Nature in Yezidism |date=2021 |publisher=Göttingen University Press |isbn=978-3-86395-514-4 |location=Göttingen |pages=94, 107|doi=10.17875/gup2021-1855 |s2cid=246596953 }}</ref>'' |
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===Rebirth and concept of time=== |
===Rebirth and concept of time=== |
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Yazidis believe in the [[Reincarnation|rebirth]] of the soul. Like the [[Yarsanism|Ahl-e Haqq]], the Yazidis use the metaphor of a change of garment to describe the process, which plays an exceptional role in Yazidi religiosity and is called the "change of [one's] shirt" (''{{Lang|ku|kirasgorîn}}''). There is also a belief that some of the events from the time of creation repeat themselves in [[Wheel of time|cycles of history.]] In Yazidism, different concepts of time coexist:<ref name=":5">{{Cite book|author=Omarkhali, Khanna|title=The Yezidi religious textual tradition, from oral to written : categories, transmission, scripturalisation, and canonisation of the Yezidi oral religious texts: with samples of oral and written religious texts and with audio and video samples on CD-ROM|year=2017|isbn=978-3-447-10856-0|oclc=994778968}}</ref> |
Yazidis believe in the [[Reincarnation|rebirth]] of the soul. Like the [[Yarsanism|Ahl-e Haqq]], the Yazidis use the metaphor of a change of garment to describe the process, which plays an exceptional role in Yazidi religiosity and is called the "change of [one's] shirt" (''{{Lang|ku|kirasgorîn}}''). There is also a belief that some of the events from the time of creation repeat themselves in [[Wheel of time|cycles of history.]] In Yazidism, different concepts of time coexist:<ref name=":5">{{Cite book|author=Omarkhali, Khanna|title=The Yezidi religious textual tradition, from oral to written : categories, transmission, scripturalisation, and canonisation of the Yezidi oral religious texts: with samples of oral and written religious texts and with audio and video samples on CD-ROM|year=2017|publisher=Harrassowitz Verlag |isbn=978-3-447-10856-0|oclc=994778968}}</ref> |
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* An esoteric time sphere (Kurdish: ''{{Lang|ku|enzel}}''), This term denotes a state of being before the creation of the world. According to Yazidi cosmogony, there is God and a pearl in this stage. |
* An esoteric time sphere (Kurdish: ''{{Lang|ku|enzel}}''), This term denotes a state of being before the creation of the world. According to Yazidi cosmogony, there is God and a pearl in this stage. |
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# The creation of the earth and man – anthropogony<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.yeziden-colloquium.de/inhalt/gesellschaft/intergration/DOI_Yeziden.pdf|title=Yeziden - Eine alte Religionsgemeinschaft zwischen Tradition und Moderne|last=Franz|first=Erhard|date=2004|publisher=Deutsches Orient-Institut}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite book |last1=Omarkhali|first1=Khanna |last2=Rezania |first2=K. |chapter=Some reflections on the concepts of time in Yezidism |title=From Daēnā to Dîn Religion, Kultur und Sprache in der iranischen Welt |editor1=Christine Allison |editor2=Anke Joisten-Pruschke |editor3=Antje Wendtland |year=2009 |url=https://www.academia.edu/7915697|language=en}}</ref> |
# The creation of the earth and man – anthropogony<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.yeziden-colloquium.de/inhalt/gesellschaft/intergration/DOI_Yeziden.pdf|title=Yeziden - Eine alte Religionsgemeinschaft zwischen Tradition und Moderne|last=Franz|first=Erhard|date=2004|publisher=Deutsches Orient-Institut}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite book |last1=Omarkhali|first1=Khanna |last2=Rezania |first2=K. |chapter=Some reflections on the concepts of time in Yezidism |title=From Daēnā to Dîn Religion, Kultur und Sprache in der iranischen Welt |editor1=Christine Allison |editor2=Anke Joisten-Pruschke |editor3=Antje Wendtland |year=2009 |url=https://www.academia.edu/7915697|language=en}}</ref> |
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The term ''Enzel'' is one of the frequently mentioned terms in the religious vocabulary and it comes up numerous times in the religious hymns, known as ''Qewls''. For instance, in Qewlê Tawisî Melek:<blockquote>"{{Lang|ku|Ya Rebî ji Enzel de her tuyî qedîmî}}" (English: Oh, Creator of the '''Enzel''', you are infinite)<ref name="Авдоев">{{Cite book |last=Авдоев |first=Теймураз |title=NEWŞE DÎNÊ ÊZÎDIYAN ЕЗИДСКОЕ СВЯЩЕНОСЛОВИЕ THE YEZIDI HOLY HYMNES |year=2020 |url=https://www.academia.edu/42054492|language=en}}</ref></blockquote>And Dûa Razanê:<blockquote>{{Lang|ku|Ezdayî me, ji direke enzelî me}} |
The term ''Enzel'' is one of the frequently mentioned terms in the religious vocabulary and it comes up numerous times in the religious hymns, known as ''Qewls''. For instance, in Qewlê Tawisî Melek:<blockquote>"{{Lang|ku|Ya Rebî ji Enzel de her tuyî qedîmî}}" (English: Oh, Creator of the '''Enzel''', you are infinite)<ref name="Авдоев">{{Cite book |last=Авдоев |first=Теймураз |title=NEWŞE DÎNÊ ÊZÎDIYAN ЕЗИДСКОЕ СВЯЩЕНОСЛОВИЕ THE YEZIDI HOLY HYMNES |year=2020 |url=https://www.academia.edu/42054492|language=en}}{{Dead link|date=June 2024}}</ref></blockquote>And Dûa Razanê:<blockquote>{{Lang|ku|Ezdayî me, ji direke enzelî me}} |
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(English: I am ''a'' follower of God, I come ''from an "'''enzelî'''" pearl)''<ref name="Авдоев"/></blockquote>Thus, the term ''Enzel'' can also be referred to as a "pure, spiritual, immaterial and infinite world", "the Beyond" or "the sphere beyond the profane world". The ''Enzel'' stage describes a spaceless and timeless state and therefore illustrates a supernatural state. In this stage, initially there is only a God, who creates a pearl out of his own light, in which his shining throne (''{{Lang|ku|textê nûrî}})'' is located.<blockquote>'''''Qewlê Bê Elif''':'' |
(English: I am ''a'' follower of God, I come ''from an "'''enzelî'''" pearl)''<ref name="Авдоев"/></blockquote>Thus, the term ''Enzel'' can also be referred to as a "pure, spiritual, immaterial and infinite world", "the Beyond" or "the sphere beyond the profane world". The ''Enzel'' stage describes a spaceless and timeless state and therefore illustrates a supernatural state. In this stage, initially there is only a God, who creates a pearl out of his own light, in which his shining throne (''{{Lang|ku|textê nûrî}})'' is located.<blockquote>'''''Qewlê Bê Elif''':'' |
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=== ''Qewl'' and ''Beyt'' === |
=== ''Qewl'' and ''Beyt'' === |
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A very important genre of oral literature of the Yazidi community consists of religious [[hymn]]s, called ''{{Lang|ku|Qewl}}''s, which literally means 'word, speech' (from Arabic {{Transl|ar|qawl}}). The performers of these hymns, called the ''[[Yazidi social organization#Qewal|Qewal]]'', constitute a distinct class within the Yazidi society. They are a veritable source of ancient Yazidi lore and are traditionally recruited from the non-religious members of other [[Kurdish tribes]], principally the Dumilî and Hekarî.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cheung|first=Johnny|title=Qewl {{!}} Yezidi Stories|url=https://yes.hypotheses.org/tag/qewl|access-date=2021-06-02|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Allison 2017" /><ref name=":5" /> The ''qewls'' are full of cryptic allusions and usually need to be accompanied by ''čirōks'' ('stories') that explain their context.<ref name="Iranica"/> |
A very important genre of oral literature of the Yazidi community consists of religious [[hymn]]s, called ''{{Lang|ku|Qewl}}''s, which literally means 'word, speech' (from Arabic {{Transl|ar|qawl}}). The performers of these hymns, called the ''[[Yazidi social organization#Qewal|Qewal]]'', constitute a distinct class within the Yazidi society. They are a veritable source of ancient Yazidi lore and are traditionally recruited from the non-religious members of other [[Kurdish tribes]], principally the Dumilî and Hekarî.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cheung|first=Johnny|title=Qewl {{!}} Yezidi Stories|date=28 October 2016 |url=https://yes.hypotheses.org/tag/qewl|access-date=2021-06-02|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Allison 2017" /><ref name=":5" /> The ''qewls'' are full of cryptic allusions and usually need to be accompanied by ''čirōks'' ('stories') that explain their context.<ref name="Iranica"/> |
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=== Mishur === |
=== Mishur === |
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=== Yazidi New Year === |
=== Yazidi New Year === |
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{{main|Yazidi New Year}} |
{{main|Yazidi New Year}} |
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The Yazidi New Year (''{{Lang|ku|Sersal}}'') is called ''{{Lang|ku|Çarşema sor}}'' ("Red Wednesday")<ref name="Rodziewicz 2016"/> or ''{{Lang|ku|Çarşema Serê Nîsanê}}'' ("Wednesday at the beginning of April").<ref>{{Cite book|last=Авдоев|first=Теймураз|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t78gDgAAQBAJ&pg=PA75|title=Историко-теософский аспект езидизма|date=2017-09-05|publisher=Litres|isbn=9785040433988|language=ru}}</ref> It falls in spring, on the first Wednesday<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Rodziewicz |first=Artur |date=March 2020 |title=The Yezidi Wednesday and the Music of the Spheres |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/iranian-studies/article/abs/yezidi-wednesday-and-the-music-of-the-spheres/EFA16C6D6A2585CF3F1F3A318B32E60B |journal=Iranian Studies |language=en |volume=53 |issue=1–2 |pages=259–293 |doi=10.1080/00210862.2019.1654287 |s2cid=211672629 |issn=0021-0862}}</ref> of the April and Nîsan months in the [[Julian calendar|Julian]] and [[Seleucid era|Seleucid calendars]], i.e. the first Wednesday on or after 14 April according to the [[Gregorian calendar]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ciwanen-ezidi.de/pdf/rotemittwoch.pdf|title=Das êzîdîsche Neujahr}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite book|url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/9781108623711/type/book|title=The Cambridge History of the Kurds|date=2021-04-22|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-1-108-62371-1|editor-last=Bozarslan|editor-first=Hamit|edition=1|doi=10.1017/9781108623711|s2cid=243594800|editor-last2=Gunes|editor-first2=Cengiz|editor-last3=Yadirgi|editor-first3=Veli}}</ref> |
The Yazidi New Year (''{{Lang|ku|Sersal}}'') is called ''{{Lang|ku|Çarşema sor}}'' ("Red Wednesday")<ref name="Rodziewicz 2016"/> or ''{{Lang|ku|Çarşema Serê Nîsanê}}'' ("Wednesday at the beginning of April").<ref>{{Cite book|last=Авдоев|first=Теймураз|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t78gDgAAQBAJ&pg=PA75|title=Историко-теософский аспект езидизма|date=2017-09-05|publisher=Litres|isbn=9785040433988|language=ru}}</ref> It falls in spring, on the first Wednesday<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Rodziewicz |first=Artur |date=March 2020 |title=The Yezidi Wednesday and the Music of the Spheres |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/iranian-studies/article/abs/yezidi-wednesday-and-the-music-of-the-spheres/EFA16C6D6A2585CF3F1F3A318B32E60B |journal=Iranian Studies |language=en |volume=53 |issue=1–2 |pages=259–293 |doi=10.1080/00210862.2019.1654287 |s2cid=211672629 |issn=0021-0862|url-access=subscription }}</ref> of the April and Nîsan months in the [[Julian calendar|Julian]] and [[Seleucid era|Seleucid calendars]], i.e. the first Wednesday on or after 14 April according to the [[Gregorian calendar]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ciwanen-ezidi.de/pdf/rotemittwoch.pdf|title=Das êzîdîsche Neujahr}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite book|url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/9781108623711/type/book|title=The Cambridge History of the Kurds|date=2021-04-22|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-1-108-62371-1|editor-last=Bozarslan|editor-first=Hamit|edition=1|doi=10.1017/9781108623711|s2cid=243594800|editor-last2=Gunes|editor-first2=Cengiz|editor-last3=Yadirgi|editor-first3=Veli}}</ref> |
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=== Feast of Êzî === |
=== Feast of Êzî === |
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{{main|Feast of Ezid}} |
{{main|Feast of Ezid}} |
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[[File:A_Yazidi_ceremony_called_Tawwaf_in_the_town_of_Baashiqa_in_Iraq.jpg|thumb|Yazidis celebrating a Yazidi ceremony called [[Tiwaf|Tawwaf]] in the town of [[Bashiqa]] in Iraq.]] |
[[File:A_Yazidi_ceremony_called_Tawwaf_in_the_town_of_Baashiqa_in_Iraq.jpg|thumb|Yazidis celebrating a Yazidi ceremony called [[Tiwaf|Tawwaf]] in the town of [[Bashiqa]] in Iraq.]] |
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One of the most important Yazidi festivals is ''{{Lang|ku|Îda Êzî}}'' ("[[Feast of Ezid|Feast of Êzî]]"), which is celebrated in commemoration of the divine figure [[Sultan Ezid]]. Which every year takes place on the first Friday on or after |
One of the most important Yazidi festivals is ''{{Lang|ku|Îda Êzî}}'' ("[[Feast of Ezid|Feast of Êzî]]"), which is celebrated in commemoration of the divine figure [[Sultan Ezid]]. Which every year takes place on the first Friday on or after 14 December. Before this festival, the Yazidis fast for three days, where nothing is eaten from sunrise to sunset. The ''{{Lang|ku|Îda Êzî}}'' festival is celebrated in honor of God and the three days of fasting before are also associated with the ever shorter days before the [[winter solstice]], when the Sun is less and less visible. With the ''{{Lang|ku|Îda Êzî}}'' festival, the fasting time is ended. The festival is often celebrated with music, food, drinks and dance.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Urban|first=Elke|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ni2lDwAAQBAJ&q=Ida+%C3%8Az%C3%AE|title=Transkulturelle Pflege am Lebensende: Umgang mit Sterbenden und Verstorbenen unterschiedlicher Religionen und Kulturen|date=2019-07-24|publisher=[[Kohlhammer Verlag]]|isbn=9783170359383|language=de}}</ref> |
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=== Tawûsgeran === |
=== Tawûsgeran === |
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* Prayers against health problems and illnesses |
* Prayers against health problems and illnesses |
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* Daily prayers |
* Daily prayers |
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* Prayers connected with the nature, i.e. the |
* Prayers connected with the nature, i.e. the Moon, stars, Sun, etc.<ref name=":6">{{Cite journal|last=Omarkhali|first=Khanna|date=2011-03-20|title=YEZIDI RELIGIOUS ORAL POETIC LITERATURE: STATUS, FORMAL CHARACTERISTICS, AND GENRE ANALYSIS: With some examples of Yezidi religious texts|journal=Scrinium|volume=7-8|issue=2|pages=144–195|doi=10.1163/18177565-90000247|issn=1817-7530|doi-access=free}}</ref> |
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===Purity and taboos=== |
===Purity and taboos=== |
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===Customs=== |
===Customs=== |
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[[File:Baptîzma êzidiyan.jpg|thumb|[[Baptism#Yazidi |
[[File:Baptîzma êzidiyan.jpg|thumb|[[Baptism#Yazidi baptism|Baptism]] of a Yazidi child in Lalish]] |
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Children are [[Baptism|baptised]] at birth and [[circumcision]] is not required, but is practised by some due to regional customs.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Parry |first1=O. H. (Oswald Hutton) |title=Six months in a Syrian monastery; being the record of a visit to the head quarters of the Syrian church in Mesopotamia, with some account of the Yazidis or devil worshippers of Mosul and El Jilwah, their sacred book |url=https://archive.org/stream/sixmonthsinasyr00parrgoog/sixmonthsinasyr00parrgoog_djvu.txt |publisher=London : H. Cox |date=1895}}</ref> The Yazidi baptism is called ''{{Lang|ku|mor kirin}}'' (literally: 'to seal'). Traditionally, Yazidi children are baptised at birth with water from the ''{{Lang|ku|Kaniya Sipî}}'' ('White Spring') at Lalish. It involves pouring holy water from the spring on the child's head three times.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://iranicaonline.org/articles/yazidis-ii-initiation-in-yazidism |title=Yazidis ii. Initiation in Yazidism |access-date=18 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Kreyenbroek|first=Philip G.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E4FpDDbrvqkC&pg=PA31|title=Yezidism in Europe: Different Generations Speak about Their Religion|date=2009|publisher=Otto Harrassowitz Verlag|isbn=978-3-447-06060-8|language=en}}</ref> |
Children are [[Baptism|baptised]] at birth and [[circumcision]] is not required, but is practised by some due to regional customs.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Parry |first1=O. H. (Oswald Hutton) |title=Six months in a Syrian monastery; being the record of a visit to the head quarters of the Syrian church in Mesopotamia, with some account of the Yazidis or devil worshippers of Mosul and El Jilwah, their sacred book |url=https://archive.org/stream/sixmonthsinasyr00parrgoog/sixmonthsinasyr00parrgoog_djvu.txt |publisher=London : H. Cox |date=1895}}</ref> The Yazidi baptism is called ''{{Lang|ku|mor kirin}}'' (literally: 'to seal'). Traditionally, Yazidi children are baptised at birth with water from the ''{{Lang|ku|Kaniya Sipî}}'' ('White Spring') at Lalish. It involves pouring holy water from the spring on the child's head three times.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://iranicaonline.org/articles/yazidis-ii-initiation-in-yazidism |title=Yazidis ii. Initiation in Yazidism |access-date=18 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Kreyenbroek|first=Philip G.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E4FpDDbrvqkC&pg=PA31|title=Yezidism in Europe: Different Generations Speak about Their Religion|date=2009|publisher=Otto Harrassowitz Verlag|isbn=978-3-447-06060-8|language=en}}</ref> |
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==Religious organisation== |
==Religious organisation== |
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{{Main|Yazidi social organization}} |
{{Main|Yazidi social organization}} |
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The Yazidis are strictly [[Endogamy|endogamous]];<ref>{{Cite book|title = The Yezidis: The History of a Community, Culture and Religion|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=ql4BAwAAQBAJ|publisher = I.B.Tauris|date = 2014-12-23|isbn = 9780857720610|language = en|first = Birgül|last = Açikyildiz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = Everything You Need to Know About the Yazidis|url = http://time.com/3091932/yazidi-iraq-isis-obama/|website = TIME.com|access-date = 2016-02-07|first = Mirren|last = Gidda}}</ref> members of the three Yazidi [[caste]]s, the [[murid]]s, sheikhs, and [[Islam Pir|pirs]], marry only within their group.<ref name="Yezidis-Acikyildiz-2014" /> |
The Yazidis are strictly [[Endogamy|endogamous]];<ref>{{Cite book|title = The Yezidis: The History of a Community, Culture and Religion|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=ql4BAwAAQBAJ|publisher = I.B.Tauris|date = 2014-12-23|isbn = 9780857720610|language = en|first = Birgül|last = Açikyildiz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = Everything You Need to Know About the Yazidis|url = http://time.com/3091932/yazidi-iraq-isis-obama/|website = TIME.com|access-date = 2016-02-07|first = Mirren|last = Gidda| date=8 August 2014 }}</ref> members of the three Yazidi [[caste]]s, the [[murid]]s, sheikhs, and [[Islam Pir|pirs]], marry only within their group.<ref name="Yezidis-Acikyildiz-2014" /> |
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There are several religious duties that are performed by several dignitaries, such as the Mir Hejj (Prince of the Pilgrimage), Sheikh el-Wazir (who oversees the sanctuary of Sheikh Shems at Lalish), Pire Esbiya (treasurer of the sanctuary of Sheikh Shems at Lalish), Mijewir (local shrine custodian), Baba Chawush (guardian of the sanctuary of Sheikh Adi), and others.<ref name="Kreyenbroek 2005" /> |
There are several religious duties that are performed by several dignitaries, such as the Mir Hejj (Prince of the Pilgrimage), Sheikh el-Wazir (who oversees the sanctuary of Sheikh Shems at Lalish), Pire Esbiya (treasurer of the sanctuary of Sheikh Shems at Lalish), Mijewir (local shrine custodian), Baba Chawush (guardian of the sanctuary of Sheikh Adi), and others.<ref name="Kreyenbroek 2005" /> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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{{Commons category|Yazidism}} |
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*[[List of Yazidi holy places]] |
*[[List of Yazidi holy places]] |
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*[[List of Yazidi saints]] |
*[[List of Yazidi saints]] |
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*[[List of Yazidi settlements]] |
*[[List of Yazidi settlements]] |
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*[[Mandaeism]] |
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*[[Persecution of Yazidis by Muslims]] |
*[[Persecution of Yazidis by Muslims]] |
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*[[Yazdânism]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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*{{cite thesis |title=Late Antique Motifs in Yezidi Oral Tradition |first=Eszter |last=Spät |publisher=Central European University, Department of Medieval Studies |type=Doctor of Philosophy |location=Budapest |date=2009}} |
*{{cite thesis |title=Late Antique Motifs in Yezidi Oral Tradition |first=Eszter |last=Spät |publisher=Central European University, Department of Medieval Studies |type=Doctor of Philosophy |location=Budapest |date=2009}} |
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==External links== |
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{{commonscat}} |
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*{{Curlie|Society/Religion_and_Spirituality/Zoroastrianism/Yezidism}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
{{Authority control}} |
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[[Category:Yazidi religion| ]] |
[[Category:Yazidi religion| ]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Ethnic religions in Asia]] |
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[[Category:Iranian religions]] |
[[Category:Iranian religions]] |
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[[Category:Mesopotamian religion]] |
[[Category:Mesopotamian religion]] |
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[[Category:Yazidi culture]] |
[[Category:Yazidi culture]] |
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[[Category:Yazidi mythology]] |
[[Category:Yazidi mythology]] |
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[[Category:Ethnic |
[[Category:Ethnic religions]] |
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[[Category:Kurdish words and phrases]] |
[[Category:Kurdish words and phrases]] |
Revision as of 14:06, 20 June 2024
This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2022) |
Yazidism
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Type | Ethnic religion |
Classification | Iranian religions[1][2] |
Scripture | Yazidi Book of Revelation, Yazidi Black Book |
Theology | Monotheistic |
Mir | Hazim Tahsin or Naif Dawud[3] |
Baba Sheikh | Sheikh Ali Ilyas[4] |
Language | Kurdish (Kurmanji) |
Headquarters | Lalish, Iraq |
Origin | 12th century Kurdistan |
Members | c. 1,000,000–1,500,000 (Yazidis)[5][6] |
Other name(s) | Sharfadin |
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Part of a series on the Yazidi religion Yazidism |
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Yazidism,[a] also known as Sharfadin,[b] is a monotheistic ethnic religion[c] that originated in Kurdistan[11] and has roots in a western Iranic pre-Zoroastrian religion directly derived from the Indo-Iranian tradition.[d] It is followed by the Kurdish-speaking Yazidis, and is based on belief in one God who created the world and entrusted it into the care of seven Holy Beings, known as Angels.[7][12][13] Preeminent among these Angels is Tawûsî Melek (lit. 'Peacock Angel', also spelled as Melek Taûs), who is the leader of the Angels and who has authority over the world.[7][13][14]
History
Principal beliefs
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e1/Views_around_the_Yezidi_shrine_of_Mame_Reshan_after_its_destruction_by_the_Islamic_State%2C_in_the_Shingal_mountains_overlooking_Shingal_06.jpg/250px-Views_around_the_Yezidi_shrine_of_Mame_Reshan_after_its_destruction_by_the_Islamic_State%2C_in_the_Shingal_mountains_overlooking_Shingal_06.jpg)
Yazidis believe in one God, to whom they refer as Xwedê, Xwedawend, Êzdan, and Pedsha ('King'), and, less commonly, Ellah and Heq.[2][10][12][7][15] According to some Yazidi hymns (known as Qewls), God has 1,001 names, or 3,003 names according to other Qewls.[16][17] In Yazidism, fire, water, air, and the earth are sacred elements that are not to be polluted. During prayer Yazidis face towards the Sun, for which they were often called "sun worshippers". The Yazidi myth of creation begins with the description of the emptiness and the absence of order in the Universe. Prior to the World's creation, God created a dur (white pearl) in spiritual form from his own pure Light and alone dwelt in it.[18] First there was an esoteric world, and after that an exoteric world was created. Before the creation of this world God created seven Divine Beings (often called "Angels" in Yazidi literature) to whom he assigned all the world's affairs; the leader of the Seven Angels was appointed Tawûsî Melek ("Peacock Angel").[7][13][19] The end of Creation is closely connected with the creation of mankind and the transition from mythological to historical time.[10][14][12]
Tawûsî Melek
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/09/Pavaangyal.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a8/Yesidisches_Gr%C3%A4berfeld_Stadtfriedhof_Hannover_Lahe_Pfau_im_Schaukasten_auf_dem_Grab_von_Yezidi_Suleiman_Daoud.jpg/240px-Yesidisches_Gr%C3%A4berfeld_Stadtfriedhof_Hannover_Lahe_Pfau_im_Schaukasten_auf_dem_Grab_von_Yezidi_Suleiman_Daoud.jpg)
The Yazidis believe in a divine Triad.[7][13][19] The original, hidden God of the Yazidis is considered to be remote and inactive in relation to his creation, except to contain and bind it together within his essence.[7] His first emanation is Melek Taûs (Tawûsî Melek), the Peacock Angel, who functions as the ruler of the world.[7][13][19] The second hypostasis of the divine Triad is the Sheikh 'Adī. The third is Sultan Ezid. These are the three hypostases of the one God. The identity of these three is sometimes blurred, with Sheikh 'Adī considered to be a manifestation of Tawûsî Melek and vice versa; the same also applies to Sultan Ezid.[7] Yazidis are called Miletê Tawûsî Melek ("the nation of Tawûsî Melek").[20]
Muslims and Christians have erroneously associated and identified the Peacock Angel with their own conception of the unredeemed evil spirit Satan,[7][13][19][21]: 29 [22] a misconception which has incited centuries of violent religious persecution of the Yazidis as "devil-worshippers".[7][13][19][23][24] Persecution of Yazidis has continued in their home communities within the borders of modern Iraq.[7][13][25]
Yazidis, however, believe Tawûsî Melek is not a source of evil or wickedness.[7][13][19] They consider him to be the leader of the archangels, not a fallen angel.[7][19][21][22]
The Yazidis of Kurdistan have been called many things, most notoriously 'devil-worshippers', a term used both by unsympathetic neighbours and fascinated Westerners. This sensational epithet is not only deeply offensive to the Yazidis themselves, but quite simply wrong.[26] Non-Yazidis have associated Melek Taûs with Shaitan (Islamic/Arab name) or Satan, but Yazidis find that offensive and do not actually mention that name.[26]
Holy figures
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8d/Jezida_templo_en_aknali%C4%89o.jpg/250px-Jezida_templo_en_aknali%C4%89o.jpg)
Yezidis believe in Seven Angels, considered the emanations of God, who, In Yazidi creation stories, were created by God from his own light (nûr) before the creation of this world. God assigned all of the world's affairs to these seven Angels and Tawûsê Melek was appointed as the leader. The angels are also referred to as Heft Sirr ("the Seven Mysteries"). In this context, they have, so to speak, a part of God in themselves. Another word that is used for this is sur or sirr (literally: 'mystery'), which denotes a divine essence from which the angels were created.[27] This pure divine essence called Sur or Sirr has its own personality and will and is also called Sura Xudê ('the Sur of God').[28] This term refers to the essence of the Divine itself, that is, God. The Angels share this essence from their creator who is God.[27] In religious literature, these Angels are sometimes referred to as Cibrayîl, Ezrayîl, Mîkayîl, Şifqayîl, Derdayîl, Ezafîl, and Ezazîl.[29] The leader of these Angels is known as Tawûsê Melek, and the others are better known by the names of their earthly incarnations/representations: Fexreddin, Sheikh Shems, Nasirdin, Sejadin, Sheikh Obekr, and Shex Hesen (Şêxsin).[30][31][32]
The Yazidi pantheon contains a total of 365 holy figures venerated by Yazidis,[33] designated by various special terms including Xudan, Xas, Mêr and Babçak. According to Yazidi beliefs, God is almighty and absolute, and the Xudans are a part of His power, moreover, in relation to nature, Yazidis believe in Xudans for most of natural elements and phenomena and they are regarded as divine powers that have control over these phenomena. In Yazidi mythology, the Xudans appeared after the creation of the world for the four elements of nature and their manifestations.[34]
Sheikh 'Adī
One of the important figures of Yazidism is Sheikh 'Adī ibn Musafir. Sheikh 'Adī ibn Musafir settled in the valley of Laliş (some 58 kilometres (36 mi) northeast of Mosul) in the Yazidi mountains in the early 12th century and founded the 'Adawiyya Sufi order. He died in 1162, and his tomb at Laliş is a focal point of Yazidi pilgrimage and the principal Yazidi holy site.[35] Yazidism has many influences: Sufi influence and imagery (especially taken from Mansur al-Hallaj)[36] can be seen in the religious vocabulary, especially in the terminology of the Yazidis' esoteric literature, but most of the theology, rituals, traditions, and festivals remains non-Islamic. Its cosmogony for instance has many points in common with those of ancient Iranian religions.[37][38][39][40][2]
Rebirth and concept of time
Yazidis believe in the rebirth of the soul. Like the Ahl-e Haqq, the Yazidis use the metaphor of a change of garment to describe the process, which plays an exceptional role in Yazidi religiosity and is called the "change of [one's] shirt" (kirasgorîn). There is also a belief that some of the events from the time of creation repeat themselves in cycles of history. In Yazidism, different concepts of time coexist:[10]
- An esoteric time sphere (Kurdish: enzel), This term denotes a state of being before the creation of the world. According to Yazidi cosmogony, there is God and a pearl in this stage.
- Bedîl or dewr (a cyclic course of time): it means literally 'change, changing' or 'turning, revolution' and in the Yazidi context denotes a new period of time in the history of the world. Therefore, it may also mean 'renewing' or 'renewed' and designates the start of a renewed period of time.
- A linear course, which runs from the start of the creation by God to the collective eschatological end point.
- Three tofan ('storm, flood') i.e. catastrophes. It is believed that there are three big events during history named tofan that play a purificatory role, changing the quality of life in a positive manner. Each catastrophe, which ultimately brings renewal to the world, takes place through a basic element: the first through water (tofanê avê), the second through fire (tofanê agirî) and the last is connected with wind (air) (tofanê ba). It is believed that the first tofan has already occurred in the past and that the next tofan will occur through fire. According to this perception, the three sacred elements, namely water, fire and air, purify the fourth one, the earth. These events however are not be considered as eschatological events. They occur during the life of people. Although the purificatory events cause many deaths, ultimately life continues.[41]
In Yazidism, the older original concept of metempsychosis and the cyclic perception of the course of time is harmonised and coexists with the younger idea of a collective eschatology.[10]
Cosmogony and beginning of life
The Yazidi cosmogony is recorded in several sacred texts and traditions. It can therefore only be inferred and understood through an overall view of the sacred texts and traditions. The cosmogony can be divided into three stages:
- Enzel – the state before the pearl burst (dur).
- Developments immediately after the burst – cosmogony II
- The creation of the earth and man – anthropogony[42][43]
The term Enzel is one of the frequently mentioned terms in the religious vocabulary and it comes up numerous times in the religious hymns, known as Qewls. For instance, in Qewlê Tawisî Melek:
"Ya Rebî ji Enzel de her tuyî qedîmî" (English: Oh, Creator of the Enzel, you are infinite)[44]
And Dûa Razanê:
Ezdayî me, ji direke enzelî me (English: I am a follower of God, I come from an "enzelî" pearl)[44]
Thus, the term Enzel can also be referred to as a "pure, spiritual, immaterial and infinite world", "the Beyond" or "the sphere beyond the profane world". The Enzel stage describes a spaceless and timeless state and therefore illustrates a supernatural state. In this stage, initially there is only a God, who creates a pearl out of his own light, in which his shining throne (textê nûrî) is located.
Qewlê Bê Elif:
Padşê min bi xo efirandî dura beyzaye – My King created the white pearl from himself
Textê nûrî sedef – The shining throne in the pearl[44]
The Yazidi qewls mention the universe as having originated from a white pearl that existed in pre-eternity. At the beginning of the time prior to the creation, God emerged from the cosmic pearl, which rested on the horns of a bull that stood on the back of a fish. After God and the pearl separated, the universe burst out of the pearl and became visible as waves rippled across from pearl to form the primeval Cosmic Ocean.[16] As the pearl burst open, the beginning of the material universe was set in motion. Mihbet (meaning 'love') came into being and was laid as the original foundation, colours began to form, and red, yellow and white began to shine from the burst pearl.
The Yazidi religion has its own perception of the colours, which is seen in the mythology and shown through clothing taboos, in religious ceremonies, customs and rituals. Colours are perceived as the symbolizations of nature and the beginning of life, thus the emphasis of colours can be found in the creation myth. The colors white, red, green and yellow in particular are frequently emphasized. White is considered the color of purity and peace and is the main colour of the religious clothing of the Yazidis.[45][2][43]
Yazidi accounts of the creation differ significantly from those of the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam), since they are derived from the Ancient Mesopotamian and Indo-Iranian traditions; therefore, Yazidi cosmogony is closer to those of Ancient Iranian religions, Yarsanism, and Zoroastrianism.[46][47]
Yazidi sacred texts
This section needs additional citations for verification. (June 2022) |
The religious literature of Yazidis is composed mostly of poetry which is orally transmitted in mainly Kurmanji and includes numerous genres, such as Qewl (religious hymn), Beyt (poem), Du‛a (prayer), Dirozge (another kind of prayer), Şehdetiya Dîn (the Declaration of the Faith), Terqîn (prayer for after a sacrifice), Pişt perde (literally 'under the veil', another genre), Qesîde (Qasida), Sema‛ (literally 'listening'), Lavij, Xerîbo, Xizêmok, Payîzok, and Robarîn. The poetic literature is composed in an advanced and archaic language where more complex terms are used, which may be difficult to understand for those who are not trained in religious knowledge.[citation needed] Therefore, they are accompanied by some prosaic genres of the Yazidi literature that often interpret the contents of the poems and provide explanations of their contexts in the spoken language comprehensible among the common population. The prosaic genres include Çîrok and Çîvanok (legends and myths), and Dastan and Menal Pîrs (interpretations of religious hymns).[48][1] Yazidis also possess some written texts, such as the sacred manuscripts called mişûrs and individual collections of religious texts called cilvê and Keşkûl, although they are rarer and often safekept among Yazidis.[49] Yazidis are also said to have two holy books, Book of Revelation and Black Book whose authenticities are debated among scholars.[1]
Holy books
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg/38px-Wikisource-logo.svg.png)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg/38px-Wikisource-logo.svg.png)
The Yazidi holy books are claimed to be the Book of Revelation and Black Book. Scholars generally agree that the manuscripts of both books published in 1911 and 1913 were forgeries written by non-Yazidis in response to Western travellers' and scholars' interest in the Yazidi religion; however, the material in them is consistent with authentic Yazidi traditions.[1] True texts of those names may have existed, but remain obscure. The real core texts of the religion that exist today are the hymns known as qawls; they have also been orally transmitted during most of their history, but are now being collected with the assent of the community, effectively transforming Yazidism into a scriptural religion.[1] The sacred texts had already been translated into English by the early 20th century.[50]
Qewl and Beyt
A very important genre of oral literature of the Yazidi community consists of religious hymns, called Qewls, which literally means 'word, speech' (from Arabic qawl). The performers of these hymns, called the Qewal, constitute a distinct class within the Yazidi society. They are a veritable source of ancient Yazidi lore and are traditionally recruited from the non-religious members of other Kurdish tribes, principally the Dumilî and Hekarî.[51][13][10] The qewls are full of cryptic allusions and usually need to be accompanied by čirōks ('stories') that explain their context.[1]
Mishur
Mishurs are a type of sacred manuscripts that were written down in the 13th century and handed down to each lineage (ocax) of the Pirs; each of the manuscripts contain descriptions of the founder of the Pir lineage that they were distributed to, along with a list of Kurdish tribes and other priestly lineages that were affiliated with the founder. The mishurs are safekept among the families of Pirs in particular places that are designated for their safekeeping; these places are referred to as stêr in Kurmanji.[52] According to the Yazidi tradition, there are a total of 40 mishurs which were distributed to the 40 lineages of Pirs.[10]
Festivals
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/58/Pilgrims_and_festival_at_Lalish_on_the_day_of_the_Yezidi_New_Year_in_2017_21.jpg/220px-Pilgrims_and_festival_at_Lalish_on_the_day_of_the_Yezidi_New_Year_in_2017_21.jpg)
Yazidi New Year
The Yazidi New Year (Sersal) is called Çarşema sor ("Red Wednesday")[18] or Çarşema Serê Nîsanê ("Wednesday at the beginning of April").[53] It falls in spring, on the first Wednesday[54] of the April and Nîsan months in the Julian and Seleucid calendars, i.e. the first Wednesday on or after 14 April according to the Gregorian calendar.[55][56]
Feast of Êzî
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b6/A_Yazidi_ceremony_called_Tawwaf_in_the_town_of_Baashiqa_in_Iraq.jpg/220px-A_Yazidi_ceremony_called_Tawwaf_in_the_town_of_Baashiqa_in_Iraq.jpg)
One of the most important Yazidi festivals is Îda Êzî ("Feast of Êzî"), which is celebrated in commemoration of the divine figure Sultan Ezid. Which every year takes place on the first Friday on or after 14 December. Before this festival, the Yazidis fast for three days, where nothing is eaten from sunrise to sunset. The Îda Êzî festival is celebrated in honor of God and the three days of fasting before are also associated with the ever shorter days before the winter solstice, when the Sun is less and less visible. With the Îda Êzî festival, the fasting time is ended. The festival is often celebrated with music, food, drinks and dance.[57]
Tawûsgeran
Another important festival is the Tawûsgeran, where Qewals and other religious dignitaries visit Yazidi villages, bringing the sinjaq, sacred images of a peacock symbolizing Tawûsê Melek. These are venerated, fees are collected from the pious, sermons are preached and holy water and berat (small stones from Lalish) distributed.[58][59]
Feast of the Assembly
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/99/Lalish.jpg/220px-Lalish.jpg)
The greatest festival of the year is the Cêjna Cemaiya ('Feast of the Assembly'), which includes an annual pilgrimage to the tomb of Sheikh 'Adī' (Şêx Adî) in Lalish, northern Iraq. The festival is celebrated from 6 October to 13 October,[60] in honor of the Sheikh Adi. It is an important time for cohesion.[61]
If possible, Yazidis make at least one pilgrimage to Lalish during their lifetime, and those living in the region try to attend at least once a year for the Feast of the Assembly in autumn.[62]
Tiwaf
Tiwafs are yearly feasts of shrines and their holy beings which constitute an important part of Yazidi religious and communal life. Every village that contains a shrine holds annual tiwafs in the name of the holy being to which the shrine is dedicated.[63][64]
Religious practices
Prayers
Prayers occupy a special status in Yazidi literature. They contain important symbols and religious knowledge connected with the Holy Men, God, and daily situations. The prayers are mostly private and as a rule they are not performed in public. Yazidis pray towards the sun,[65] usually privately, or the prayers are recited by one person during a gathering. The prayers are classified according to their own content. There are:
- Prayers dedicated to God and holy beings
- Prayers of Yazidi castes
- Prayers for specific occasions
- Rite of passage prayers
- Prayers against health problems and illnesses
- Daily prayers
- Prayers connected with the nature, i.e. the Moon, stars, Sun, etc.[48]
Purity and taboos
Many Yazidis consider pork to be prohibited. However, many Yazidis living in Germany began to view this taboo as a foreign belief from Judaism or Islam and not part of Yazidism, and therefore abandoned this rule.[67] Furthermore, in a BBC interview in April 2010, Baba Sheikh, the spiritual leader of all Yazidis, stated that ordinary Yazidis may eat what they want, but the religious clergy refrain from certain vegetables (including cabbage) because "they cause gases".[68]
Some Yazidis in Armenia and Georgia who converted to Christianity, still identify as Yazidis even after converting,[69] but are not accepted by the other Yazidis as Yazidis.[70]
Customs
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/57/Bapt%C3%AEzma_%C3%AAzidiyan.jpg/220px-Bapt%C3%AEzma_%C3%AAzidiyan.jpg)
Children are baptised at birth and circumcision is not required, but is practised by some due to regional customs.[71] The Yazidi baptism is called mor kirin (literally: 'to seal'). Traditionally, Yazidi children are baptised at birth with water from the Kaniya Sipî ('White Spring') at Lalish. It involves pouring holy water from the spring on the child's head three times.[72][73]
Religious organisation
The Yazidis are strictly endogamous;[74][75] members of the three Yazidi castes, the murids, sheikhs, and pirs, marry only within their group.[22]
There are several religious duties that are performed by several dignitaries, such as the Mir Hejj (Prince of the Pilgrimage), Sheikh el-Wazir (who oversees the sanctuary of Sheikh Shems at Lalish), Pire Esbiya (treasurer of the sanctuary of Sheikh Shems at Lalish), Mijewir (local shrine custodian), Baba Chawush (guardian of the sanctuary of Sheikh Adi), and others.[16]
See also
- List of Yazidi holy places
- List of Yazidi saints
- List of Yazidi settlements
- Persecution of Yazidis by Muslims
References
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- ^ a b c Açikyildiz, Birgül (2014). The Yezidis: The History of a Community, Culture and Religion. London: I.B. Tauris & Company. ISBN 978-1-784-53216-1. OCLC 888467694.
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{{cite book}}
:|website=
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- ^ Rodziewicz, Artur (2018). "The Nation of the Sur: The Yezidi Identity Between Modern and Ancient Myth". In Bocheńska, Joanna (ed.). Rediscovering Kurdistan's Cultures and Identities. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 259–326. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-93088-6_7. ISBN 978-0-415-07265-6.
- ^ Авдоев, Теймураз (2011). Историко-теософский аспект езидизма [Historical and Theosophical Aspect of Yezidism] (in Russian). Э.РА. p. 314. ISBN 978-5-905016-967.
- ^ Murad, Jasim Elias (1993). The Sacred Poems of the Yazidis: An Anthropological Approach. University of California, Los Angeles.
- ^ Kreyenbroek, Philip G. (1995). Yezidism--its Background, Observances, and Textual Tradition. Lewiston, New York: Edwin Mellen Press. ISBN 978-0-7734-9004-8.
- ^ Açikyildiz, Birgül (2019-12-17). The Yezidis: The History of a Community, Culture and Religion. Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. ISBN 978-1-350-14927-4.
- ^ Spat, Eszter (2016-10-08). "Hola Hola Tawusi Melek, Hola Hola Şehidêt Şingalê: Persecution and the Development of Yezidi Ritual Life". Kurdish Studies. 4 (2): 155–175. doi:10.33182/ks.v4i2.426. ISSN 2051-4891.
- ^ Aysif, Rezan Shivan (2021). The Role of Nature in Yezidism. Göttingen: Göttingen University Press. pp. 94, 107. doi:10.17875/gup2021-1855. ISBN 978-3-86395-514-4. S2CID 246596953.
- ^ Late Antique Motifs in Yezidi Oral Tradition by Eszter Spät. Ch. 9 "The Origin Myth of the Yezidis" section "The Myth of Shehid Bin Jer" (p. 347)
- ^ Rodziewicz, Artur (2022), Hosseini, S. Behnaz (ed.), "The Mystery of Essence and the Essence of Mystery: Yezidi and Yaresan Cosmogonies in the Light of the Kitab al-Tawasin", Yari Religion in Iran, Singapore: Springer Singapore, pp. 103–187, doi:10.1007/978-981-16-6444-1_6, ISBN 978-981-16-6443-4, S2CID 247034058, retrieved 2022-03-08
- ^ Turgut, Lokman. Ancient rites and old religions in Kurdistan. OCLC 879288867.
- ^ Kaczorowski, Karol (2014). "Yezidism and Proto-Indo-Iranian Religion". Fritillaria Kurdica. Bulletin of Kurdish Studies (3–4).
- ^ Foltz, Richard (2017-06-01). "The "Original" Kurdish Religion? Kurdish Nationalism and the False Conflation of the Yezidi and Zoroastrian Traditions". Journal of Persianate Studies. 10 (1): 87–106. doi:10.1163/18747167-12341309. ISSN 1874-7094.
- ^ Omarkhali, Khanna (2009–2010). "The status and role of the Yezidi legends and myths: to the question of comparative analysis of Yezidism, Yārisān (Ahl-e Haqq) and Zoroastrianism: a common substratum?". Folia Orientalia. 45–46: 197–219. OCLC 999248462.
- ^ Agustí., Allison, Christine, ed. Joisten-Pruschke, Anke, ed. Wendtland, Antje, ed. Kreyenbroek, Philip G., 1948- Alemany i Vilamajó (2009). From Daena to Din : religion, Kultur und Sprache in der iranischen Welt: festschrift für Philip Kreyenbroek zum 60. Geburtstag. Harrassowitz. ISBN 978-3-447-05917-6. OCLC 1120653126.
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- ^ a b Omarkhali, Khanna; Rezania, K. (2009). "Some reflections on the concepts of time in Yezidism". In Christine Allison; Anke Joisten-Pruschke; Antje Wendtland (eds.). From Daēnā to Dîn Religion, Kultur und Sprache in der iranischen Welt.
- ^ a b c Авдоев, Теймураз (2020). NEWŞE DÎNÊ ÊZÎDIYAN ЕЗИДСКОЕ СВЯЩЕНОСЛОВИЕ THE YEZIDI HOLY HYMNES.[dead link]
- ^ "Schöpfungsmythos – Êzîpedia" (in German). Retrieved 2021-06-07.
- ^ Richard Foltz Religions of Iran: From Prehistory to the Present Oneworld Publications, 01.11.2013 ISBN 9781780743097 p. 221
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- ^ a b Omarkhali, Khanna (2011-03-20). "YEZIDI RELIGIOUS ORAL POETIC LITERATURE: STATUS, FORMAL CHARACTERISTICS, AND GENRE ANALYSIS: With some examples of Yezidi religious texts". Scrinium. 7–8 (2): 144–195. doi:10.1163/18177565-90000247. ISSN 1817-7530.
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- ^ Açikyildiz, Birgül (2014-12-23). The Yezidis: The History of a Community, Culture and Religion. I.B.Tauris. ISBN 9780857720610.
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- ^ Kreyenbroek, Philip G. (1995). Yezidism--its Background, Observances, and Textual Tradition. Lewiston, New York: Edwin Mellen Press. p. 75. ISBN 978-0-7734-9004-8.
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- ^ Aghayeva, Elene Shengelia, Rana (2018-09-06). "Georgia's Yazidis: Religion as Identity - Religious Beliefs". chai-khana.org. Retrieved 2019-08-30.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Parry, O. H. (Oswald Hutton) (1895). "Six months in a Syrian monastery; being the record of a visit to the head quarters of the Syrian church in Mesopotamia, with some account of the Yazidis or devil worshippers of Mosul and El Jilwah, their sacred book". London : H. Cox.
- ^ "Yazidis ii. Initiation in Yazidism". Retrieved 18 September 2021.
- ^ Kreyenbroek, Philip G. (2009). Yezidism in Europe: Different Generations Speak about Their Religion. Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. ISBN 978-3-447-06060-8.
- ^ Açikyildiz, Birgül (2014-12-23). The Yezidis: The History of a Community, Culture and Religion. I.B.Tauris. ISBN 9780857720610.
- ^ Gidda, Mirren (8 August 2014). "Everything You Need to Know About the Yazidis". TIME.com. Retrieved 2016-02-07.
Bibliography
- Allison, Christine (2001). The Yezidi oral tradition in Iraqi Kurdistan. Richmond, Surrey England: Curzon. ISBN 0-7007-1397-2. OCLC 45337769.
- Asatrian, Garnik S.; Arakelova, Victoria (2014). "Part I: The One God - Malak-Tāwūs: The Leader of the Triad". The Religion of the Peacock Angel: The Yezidis and Their Spirit World. Gnostica. Abingdon, Oxfordshire: Routledge. pp. 1–28. doi:10.4324/9781315728896. ISBN 978-1-84465-761-2. OCLC 931029996.
- Asatrian, Garnik S.; Arakelova, Victoria (January 2003). Asatrian, Garnik S. (ed.). "Malak-Tāwūs: The Peacock Angel of the Yezidis". Iran and the Caucasus. 7 (1–2). Leiden: Brill Publishers in collaboration with the Caucasian Centre for Iranian Studies (Yerevan): 1–36. doi:10.1163/157338403X00015. eISSN 1573-384X. ISSN 1609-8498. JSTOR 4030968. LCCN 2001227055. OCLC 233145721.
- Guest, John (1987). The Yezidis: a study in survival. London New York New York, NY, USA: KPI Distributed by Methuen Inc., Routledge & Kegan Paul. ISBN 0-7103-0115-4. OCLC 470948318.
- Kreyenbroek, Philip (2005). God and Sheikh Adi are perfect: sacred poems and religious narratives from the Yezidi tradition. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz. ISBN 978-3-447-05300-6. OCLC 63127403.
- Kreyenbroek, Philip (1995). Yezidism: its background, observances, and textual tradition. Lewiston, New York: Edwin Mellen Press. ISBN 0-7734-9004-3. OCLC 31377794.
- Omarkhali, Khanna (2017). The Yezidi religious textual tradition, from oral to written: categories, transmission, scripturalisation, and canonisation of the Yezidi oral religious texts. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz Verlag. ISBN 978-3-447-10856-0. OCLC 994778968.
- Rodziewicz, Artur (December 2016). Asatrian, Garnik S. (ed.). "And the Pearl Became an Egg: The Yezidi Red Wednesday and Its Cosmogonic Background". Iran and the Caucasus. 20 (3–4). Leiden: Brill Publishers in collaboration with the Caucasian Centre for Iranian Studies (Yerevan): 347–367. doi:10.1163/1573384X-20160306. eISSN 1573-384X. ISSN 1609-8498. JSTOR 44631092. LCCN 2001227055. OCLC 233145721.
- Rodziewicz Artur (2022). Hosseini S. Behnaz (ed.) "The Mystery of Essence and the Essence of Mystery: Yezidi and Yaresan Cosmogonies in the Light of the Kitab al-Tawasin", Yari Religion in Iran: Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-6444-1_6
- Sfameni Gasparro, Giulia (April 1975). Feldt, Laura; Valk, Ülo (eds.). "I Miti Cosmogonici degli Yezidi". Numen (in Italian). 22 (1). Leiden: Brill Publishers: 24–41. doi:10.1163/156852775X00112. eISSN 1568-5276. ISSN 0029-5973. JSTOR 3269532. LCCN 58046229. OCLC 50557232.
- Sfameni Gasparro, Giulia (December 1974). Feldt, Laura; Valk, Ülo (eds.). "I Miti Cosmogonici degli Yezidi". Numen (in Italian). 21 (3). Leiden: Brill Publishers: 197–227. doi:10.1163/156852774X00113. eISSN 1568-5276. ISSN 0029-5973. JSTOR 3269773. LCCN 58046229. OCLC 50557232.
- Spät, Eszter (2009). Late Antique Motifs in Yezidi Oral Tradition (Doctor of Philosophy). Budapest: Central European University, Department of Medieval Studies.
External links
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