Kurdish National Symbols : ( both ancient and modern )
I have titled my English website by the name of a bird called partridge similar to that in Kurdish : Kew or Kewk These birds are found in different parts of Kurdistan. In a wild state, they prefer woody and heath wastes, closed ground, but they are easily tamed, and soon become familiar.
The most identifying features of this charming bird are the vivid black and white stripes that decorate the wings and the black band that runs across the eyes. The upper body and head feathers of the partridge are brown, becoming more bluish-grey towards the lower body and tail. The face is white, and the beak is short, strong, and orange in color. Kew chicks have cream and brown down, with pale undersides.
Symbolism, can be found almost anywhere and at any time. Any time there is something that represents more than its common meaning, this can be an example of symbolism. Symbolism is the practice or art of using an object or a word to represent an abstract idea. An action, person, place, word, or object, day, animal, literary work ..., can all have a symbolic meaning in the history and life of any nation or community.
All nations of the world without exception have their national symbols, whether they are individual persons, ethnic groups, political parties or countries. These symbols represent its culture, folklore, history, landscape, lifestyle and even its mentality and behavior. And just as any other nations, ethnic groups or land in the world. The Kurds in whole Kurdistan have their symbols: national animals, flowers, landmarks and important persons that have great effects on their national unity and freedom from the past to the present time.
From my point of view, I see that Partridge has been used as a symbol that represents Kurdish nationalism. It is a very popular bird in Kurdistan. It has been mentioned repeatedly in Kurdish folktales, lyrics, songs and proverbs. It is called Kew or Kewk. This bird is Kurdish national pride. These are some various symbols but not all that represent our Kurdish history and nationalism :
Myths: Rostam, the warrior and Kawa, the blacksmith, Iranian mythological figures, found in Kurdish folklore. Founders and Leaders : Saladin, Sharafkhan, Sheikh ubeydulla, Qazi Muhammad, Mustafa Barzani
Poets : Baba Taher, Mela Bateye, Malaye Jazeri, Ahmede khani
Animals : eagle, partridge, peafowl
Trees : oak tree, almond
Books : Book of honor ( sharafnama) , Mum u Zin
Dish : Sawarr, a traditional dish among Kurdish farmers, is made of wheat grain that is boiled, sun dried and pounded in a mortar (curn) to get rid of the husk. The wheat is then crushed in a mill (destarr). The resulting grain food can be boiled and served.
Tool : Destarr, a small type of mill used for crushing wheat
Day : Newroz, the new Year
Weapon : Kheender ( khenjer ) the dagger
Fire : Sign to the Kurdish New Year
Peacock feather: The peacock is the lead angel of the Yezidi
Dance : Kurdish Govend, where men and women hold hands and harmoniously dance together to one single rhythm.
Flowers : Narcissus, Lilies
Mountain : Gare, Spilek, Korek, Jody
Anthem : Ey Reqîb, national anthem of the Kurdistan Regional Government
(ئەی رەقیب) Ey Reqiîb: a national anthem of Kurdistan
Ey Reqiîb is a national anthem of Kurdistan. Written by the Kurdish poet Yonis Reuf, also called Dildar. Yonis Reuf was born in 1917 in the city of Koye. After finishing school in Kirkuk, he moved to Baghdad and here he studied law. Ey Reqîb was written in 1938. At that time, he was in jail in the Kurdistan province of Iran.
Ey Reqib" means literally "hey guard", but the title is more often translated as "hey enemy"
Hey enemy
Hey enemy, the Kurdish Nation is alive with its language
Cannot be defeated by the weapons of any time
Let no one say Kurds are dead
Kurds are living
Kurds are living, their flag will never fall
We, the youth are the red color of the Revolution
Watch our blood that we shed on this way
Let no one say Kurds are dead
Kurds are living
Kurds are living, their Flag will never fall
We are the children of Medya and Keyhusrew
Both our faith and religion are our Homeland
Both our faith and religion are Kurd and Kurdistan
Let no one say Kurds are dead
Kurds are living
Kurds are living, their flag will never fall
The Kurdish youth have risen like lions
To adorn the crown of life with blood
Let no one say Kurds are dead
Kurds are living
Kurds are living, their flag will never fall
The Kurdish youth are ever present and forever
will be ready to sacrifice their lives
Sacrifice each life they have, each life they have
A nation without state
This song is not the last song of the people : they sing and will sing on as the people of a forbidden nation.
Their language and culture suffer under constant state persecution. This time must end. The people must gain their right to be themselves. To speak and to write and to work and to sing their own song.
Flag : The National Flag of Kurdistan consists of a tricolor field and central emblem. The Kurdish flag has three horizontal bands. The upper stripe is red, the middle one white and the bottom band green. The width of the flag is two-thirds of the length.
19 / 12 / 2016 DUHOK AHMED ALI
ahmed_ali_h@yahoo.com
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