The Boundless LandA story of Kurds and Culture

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Groningen, Gent, Aachen….

Martini tower, Groningen, Netherlands

Graslei, Gent, Belgium

Markt, Aachen, Germany

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The Kurdish Region

0 40 million Kurds

0 4 main countries

0 5 sublanguages

0 Western-Eurasian origin

0 Large variety in religion

0 Large variety in physical appearance

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A bit of history…..0 2400 BC: inhabitation of mountain areas to south of Caucasus (now

Kurdistan region) 0 7th century AD: Invasion of Islamic Arabs 0 10-12th century: First Kurdish dynasties under Islamic ruling0 12-13th century: Largest Kurdish power in Ayyubite dynasty 0 16th century: Ottoman victory in the middle east 0 16th century: Removal of Kurds, Armenians, Assyrians, Azeris, Turkmens

etc. to Persian regions by Ottomans 0 17-19th century: Several victories and defeats 0 20th century: Rise of nationalism 0 1920: Treaty of Sevres for independency 0 AD: partial independence KRG

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Overview4 parts of Kurdistan: 0North 0West0South 0East

How to recognize a Kurd? 0By 10 criteria

Questions

Kurdish cuisine

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Today’s journey…..

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North: Diyarbakir (Amed)

0 ± 1 mil. Inhabitants

0 Roman name: Amida (2000 BC)

0 Typical dark stone architecture

0 6 km city walls

0 City of copper

0 Watermelons

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West: Al Kamishli (Qamishlo)

0 ± 200.000 residents

0 Large ethnic and religious variety

0 Churches next to mosques

0 Cotton, oil, and wheat

0 Flat roofs

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South: Arbil (Hewler)0 1.5 mil. Inhabitants

0 Urban life: 6000 BC

0 It’s heart: Citadel

0 650 AD conquered by Arabs

0 Parliament of Independent Kurdish Region

0 Dubai of the Middle-East

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East: Palangan0± 800 inhabitants

0Staircase city in the mountains

0Adjusted architecture

0Adjusted lifestyle

0Primitive, but unique building skills

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Now, how to recognize a Kurd?

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1. Bragging about languages….

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2. Patriotic/ Nationalistic0Only way to:

0 Survive oppression0 Maintain language0 Pass culture & tradition 0 Demand your rights

0Good because: 0 No acceptance of injustice to anyone 0 Family & culture unity 0 ‘For the love of the country’ 0 Politically engaged: people care0 Sharing

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3. An uncle who…0 Said he had dinner with the prime minister and they discussed politics and my

uncle gave him advise…..

0 Was one of the most famous writers who wrote 754 poems about love for the country

0 Fought in the war against oppressors and therefore you have no right of insulting anyone in the whole family

0 Was the hero of the village because the parents of his love didn’t want him to marry their daughter and then he came and ‘stole’ her and they hid in the neighbouring village…..

0 Could have been a politician, doctor, lawyer and professional football player if only he had the chances we have today…..(Sadly, sometimes actually true)

0 Has given birth to 24 children…..(Also true)

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4. Literature0Languages + Nationalism = Lots and lots of Literature

0You are a true Kurd if a quote or poem pops up in your mind:0 During any dinner0 For every occasion0 For every lesson to learn 0 For each mistake to make….0 For whatever emotion or memory….

0Famous lovestory: Mem u Zin

0Popular: oppression, desire for more, better future dreams, human rights, love for the country…..

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5. Music & DanceMusic0Emotional flute0Party drum and horne flute0Nationalistic violin

Dance 0Dance on the sound of thunder…0Napkins….0Women: tililililiiii 0Modern folkdance

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6. Newroz

021st of March0New Year and celebration of Kurdish freedom 0Kawa, story of evil king (700 BC) 0Different celebration per country or region0 In the Netherlands…0No matter what, you always celebrate Newroz!

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7. Traditional Clothing: women

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7. Traditional Clothing: Men

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8. HospitalityLets say, one day you happen to be waiting for your bus….

Some old guy asks you what time it is…

After you answer politely, his daughter calls him….

He tells her he just met a girl like her…..

A week later you get to know the cousin of his daughter…..

This cousin has a best friend

3 weeks later the sister of this best friend is getting married

Somehow, you and parents get an invitation for this wedding and are treated as guests of honour while YOU DID NOT KNOW EACHOTHER BEFORE THE BUS MEETING

Now what happened here?

That’s Kurdish hospitality; invitations, dinners, familiarity and respect. Even when you don’t know each other…..

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9. Fruits0Figs & aging

0Pomegranates & children

0Raw almonds & salt

0Watermelon & football

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10. Mama’s food

0Yaprach (dolma) & men

0 Iroq & marriage

0Tabule & dew

0Lamb & feasts

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For you to taste:Pomegranate and figs dessert

Tabule spring salad

Language, music, dance, clothing, pomegranates all combined: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_xjl-ALDuE

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Questions?