The Yezidis: The History of a Community, Culture and Religion. - Couverture souple

Açikyildiz, Birgül

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 1784532169 ISBN 13 : 9781784532161

Editeur : I.B. Tauris, 2014

Synopsis

Yezidism is a fascinating part of the rich cultural mosaic of the Middle East. The Yezidi faith emerged for the first time in the twelfth century in the Kurdish mountains of northern Iraq. The religion, which has become notorious for its associations with 'devil worship', is in fact an intricate syncretic system of belief, incorporating elements from proto-Indo-European religions, early Iranian faiths like Zoroastrianism and Manichaeism, Sufism and regional paganism like Mithraism. Birgul Acikyildiz here offers a comprehensive appraisal of Yezidi religion, society and culture. Written without presupposing any prior knowledge about Yezidism, and in an accessible and readable style, her book examines Yezidis not only from a religious point of view but as a historical and social phenomenon. She throws light on the origins of Yezidism, and charts its development and changing fortunes - from its beginnings to the present- as part of the general history of the Kurds. Her book is the first to place Yezidism in its complete geographical setting in Northern Iraq, Turkey, Syria and Transcaucasia. The author describes the Yezidi belief system (which considers Tawusi Melek - the 'Peacock Angel' - to be ruler of the earth) and its religious practices and observances, analysing the most important facets of Yezidi religious art and architecture (including funerary monuments and zoomorphic tombstones) and their relationship to their neighbours throughout the Middle East. Acikyildiz also explores the often misunderstood connections between Yezidism and the Satan/Sheitan of Christian and Muslim tradition. Richly illustrated, with accompanying maps, photographs and illustrations, this pioneering book will have strong appeal to all those with an interest in the culture of the Kurds, as well as the wider region.

A propos du livre

Présentation de l'éditeur

The minority communities of northern Iraq are under increasingly severe threat from Islamic State jihadists. Among these minorities, the Yezidis have one of the most remarkable legacies of any tradition in the Middle East. Yet not just their religious and material culture but now their entire existence is in peril as entire populations seek refuge from their violent oppressors. But who are the Yezidis (or Yazidis)? The community has been misunderstood and oppressed for centuries. Predominantly ethnic Kurds, and the target of persecution over many centuries, until now they have succeeded in keeping their ancient religion alive despite the claim that they are devil worshippers. This is the essential guide to a threatened tradition. It reveals an intricate system of belief influenced by Zoroastrianism and Sufism and regional paganism like Mithraism. It explores the origins of the Yezidis, their art and architecture and the often misunderstood (and now progressively life-threatening) connections between Yezidism and the Satan/Sheitan of Christian and Muslim tradition. Extensively illustrated, with maps, photographs and illustrations, this pioneering book is a testimonial to one of the region's most extraordinary and ancient peoples.

Revue de presse

'Birgul Acikyildiz's amazing book... shows how rich and varied is the culture-compost of the area between Iraq and Syria now being forcibly homogenised and ethnically cleansed by Isis.'
William Dalrymple, Guardian

'A fascinating narrative and photographic journey through Yezidi religion, society and material culture.'
Nelida Fuccaro, SOAS, University of London

'Will probably long remain the definitive work.'
--Martin van Bruinessen, Utrecht University

"Will probably long remain the definitive work." --- Martin van Bruinessen, Utrecht University

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: I.B. Tauris
• Date d'édition: 2014
• ISBN 10: 1784532169
• ISBN 13: 9781784532161
• Reliure: Broché
• Langue: anglais
• Nombre de pages: 320