Kurdish literature
Encyclopedia
Kurdish literature refers to literature
written in Kurdish language
. Literary Kurdish works have been written in one of the three main dialects of Gorani
, Kurmanji
and Sorani
. Ali Hariri
(1009-1079 /1425–1495) is one of the first well-known poets who wrote in Kurdish. He was from the Hakkari
region .
poets and writers are Parishan Dinawari (d. ca. 1395), Mustafa Besarani (1642–1701), Muhammad Kandulayi (late 17th century), Khana Qubadi
(1700–1759), Shayda Awrami (1784–1852) and Mastoureh Ardalan
) (1805–1848). Gorani which was the literary language of much of what today is known as Iraqi and Iranian Kurdistan, is classified in some sources as a branch of Kurdish http://www.kurdishacademy.org/english/literature/literature.html and http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9046467?query=kurdish&ct= although this is disputed by others.http://www.cogsci.ed.ac.uk/~siamakr/Kurdish/Papers/Hassanpour98.html.
The Kurdish poet Muhammad Faqi Tayran
(1590–1660) collected many folk stories in his book In the Words of the Black Horse. He also wrote a book of Sufi verse, The Story of Shaykh of San’ân. Faqi-Tayran also had versified correspondence with the poet Malaye Jaziri
. Some of the well-known Kurmanji poets and writers are listed below.
aspirations of the Kurdish people.
Mam of the Alan clan
and Zin of Buhtan family are two lovers from Alan and Butan families, respectively. Their union is blocked by a person named Bakr of the Bakran clan. Mam eventually dies during a complicated conspiracy by Bakr. When Zin receives the news, she also dies while mourning the death of Mam on his grave. The immense grief leads to her death and she is buried next to Mam. The news of the death of Mam and Zin, spreads quickly among the people of Jazira Butan. Then Bakr's role in the tragedy
is revealed, and he takes sanctuary between the two graves. He is eventually captured and slain by the people of Jazira. A thorn bush soon grows out of Bakr’s blood, sending its roots of malice deep into the earth between the lovers’ graves, separating the two even after their death.
in 1898. The Kurds in the Soviet Union
, despite their small numbers, had the opportunity of elementary and university education in Kurdish and for many decades. This in turn lead to an appearance of several Kurdish writers and researchers among them. The literary works of Kurdoev and Shamilov are the well known examples of Kurdish prose in the 20th century. The first modern latin
-based alphabet for Kurdish was created by Jaladat Ali Badirkhan
, the poet and writer who fled Turkey in 1920s and spend the rest of his life in Syria
.
Since 1970s, there has been a massive effort on the part of Kurds in Turkey
to write and to create literary works in Kurdish. The amount of printed material during the last three decades has increased enormously. Many of these activities were centered in Europe
particularly Sweden
and Germany
where many of the immigrant Kurds are living. There are a number of Kurdish publishers in Sweden, partly supported by the Swedish Government. More than two hundred Kurdish titles have appeared in the 1990s. Some of the well known contemporary Kurdish writers from Turkey
are Firat Cewerî
, Mehmed Uzun
, Mehmed Emin Bozarslan
, Mahmud Baksi
, Hesenê Metê
, Arjen Arî, Berken Bereh and Rojen Barnas
. Besides these writers, there is a new generation that emerged in the middle of 90's and aftermath, writers, poets and translators such as Kawa Nemir, Rênas Jiyan, Lal Laleş, Îbrahîm Seydo Aydogan, Yaqob Tilermenî, Cîhan Roj, Mîran Janbar, Şener Özmen, Ferzan Şêr, Yunus Eroğlu, Dilawer Zeraq, Sîdar Jîr, Omer Dilsoz, Hemîd Dilbahar, Ergin Öpengin, Gulîzer, Lorîn S. Dogan, Lokman Ayebe and Ehmed Ronîar.
The main academic center for Kurdish literature and language in Europe
is the Kurdish Institute of Paris
(Institut Kurde de Paris) founded in 1983. A large number of Kurdish intellectuals and writers from Europe, America and Australia are contributing to the efforts carried out by the Institute for reviving Kurdish language and literature.
appeared only in the late 18th century and early 19th century. Nali
Was The First one who's wrote poem in this dialect. and Haji Qadir Koyi
of Koy Sanjaq
in central Kurdistan (1817–1897), and Sheikh Rezza Talabani
(1835–1909) also wrote in Sorani Dialect after Nali
. Closeness of the two dialects of Sorani and Kurmanji, is cited as one of the reasons for the late start in Sorani literature and the fact that during 15th to 19th century, there was a rich literary tradition in the Kurmanji dialect.
Despite its late start, Sorani literature progressed with a rapid pace, specially during the early 20th century and after recognition of Sorani as the main language of Kurds in Iraq
. The language rights of Kurds were guaranteed by the British
and school education in Kurdish started in earnest in the early 1920s. It is estimated that almost 80% of the existing Kurdish literature in the 20th century has been written in Sorani dialect.
Increased contact with the Arab world and subsequently western world led to a translation movement among Kurds in Iraqi Kurdistan
in the early 20th century. Many classical literary works of Europe were translated into Sorani, including the works of Pushkin, Schiller, Byron and Lamartine.
Kurdish is one of the official languages of Iraq
and the central government assistance has been instrumental in supporting publication of books and magazines in Kurdish. In 1970s, an oraganization called Korî Zaniyarî Kurd(The Scientific academy of Kurds) was established for academic studies in Kurdish language and literature. It was centered in Baghdad
. Kurdish language departments were also opened in some Iraqi universities including Baghdad University, University of Salahaddin and University of Sulaimani
. The well known sorani poets include Abdulla Goran
(founder of the free verse
poetry in Kurdish), Sherko Bekas
, Abdulla Pashew
, Qanih. Many Kurdish writers have written novels, plays
and literary analysis including Piramerd
, Alaaddin Sajadi
, Ibrahim Ahmad
, Karim Hisami
and Hejar
.there are also some contemporary well-known novel and play writers such as Medhit Bexaw, Karim Sharaza, Abdul Khaliq Aladdin and Dr. Ezzadin Rasul.
For more details see http://www.kurdishacademy.org/english/literature/literature.html.
Also see http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/coldwater/322/mehname0005-03.html for an English translation of a poem by Ahmad Khani and http://www.navkurd.de/edebiyat.htm for a list of Kurdish
poets and writers.
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
written in Kurdish language
Kurdish language
Kurdish is a dialect continuum spoken by the Kurds in western Asia. It is part of the Iranian branch of the Indo-Iranian group of Indo-European languages....
. Literary Kurdish works have been written in one of the three main dialects of Gorani
Gorani
Gorani may refer to:In culture:* Gorani people, a Balkan ethnic groupIn geography:* Gorani, a village in Uda Commune, Argeş County, Romania* Gorani, a village in Odăile Commune, Buzău County, Romania...
, Kurmanji
Kurmanji
Kurmanji or Northern Kurdish is the most commonly spoken dialect of the Kurdish language.- Scripts and books :...
and Sorani
Soranî
Soranî is the name of a Kurdish language that is spoken in Iran and Iraq. Soranî is one of the main Kurdish languages, which are a branch of the Iranian languages.- Name :...
. Ali Hariri
Ali Hariri
Ali Hariri was among the first well-known Kurdish poets who wrote in Kurdish. He was from the Hakkari region of Turkey.- References :...
(1009-1079 /1425–1495) is one of the first well-known poets who wrote in Kurdish. He was from the Hakkari
Hakkari
Hakkâri , is a city and the capital of the Hakkâri Province of Turkey. The name Hakkâri is derived from the Syriac word, Akkare, meaning farmers...
region .
Gorani Literature
Some of the well-known Gorani languageGorani language
Gorani is a Northwestern Iranian language, that includes Hewrami, and is spoken by Kurdish populations in the southernmost parts of Iranian Kurdistan and the Iraqi Kurdistan region. Some linguists classify it as a member of the Zaza–Gorani branch of the Northwestern Iranian languages...
poets and writers are Parishan Dinawari (d. ca. 1395), Mustafa Besarani (1642–1701), Muhammad Kandulayi (late 17th century), Khana Qubadi
Khana Qubadi
Khana Qubadi or , , was a Kurdish poet. He wrote his poems in the Hawrami dialect. He belonged to the Hawrami school of poetry in the Ardalan principality.-Works:...
(1700–1759), Shayda Awrami (1784–1852) and Mastoureh Ardalan
Mastoureh Ardalan
Mah Sharaf Khanom Mastoureh Ardalan or Mastura Ardalan was a Kurdish poet and writer. She was born in Sanandaj in north-western Iran and deceased in Sulaymaniyah in present-day north-eastern Iraq. She was a member of the feudal aristocracy in the court of the Ardalan principality centered in Senna...
) (1805–1848). Gorani which was the literary language of much of what today is known as Iraqi and Iranian Kurdistan, is classified in some sources as a branch of Kurdish http://www.kurdishacademy.org/english/literature/literature.html and http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9046467?query=kurdish&ct= although this is disputed by others.http://www.cogsci.ed.ac.uk/~siamakr/Kurdish/Papers/Hassanpour98.html.
Kurmanji Literature
A Yezidi religious work, the Meshefa Reş, is in a classic form of Kurmanji, and could well have been written sometime in the 13th century. It is held to have been written by Sheikh Hasan (born 1195 CE), a nephew of Sheikh Adi Ibn Musafir, the prophet of the Yezidis. Based on this date, Meshef can be considered as the oldest piece of prose in Kurmanji.The Kurdish poet Muhammad Faqi Tayran
Faqi Tayran
Faqi Tayran is considered as one of the great classic Kurdish poets and writers. His real name was "Mir Mihemed". He was born in a village called "Miks" in the Hakkari region of the Ottoman Empire...
(1590–1660) collected many folk stories in his book In the Words of the Black Horse. He also wrote a book of Sufi verse, The Story of Shaykh of San’ân. Faqi-Tayran also had versified correspondence with the poet Malaye Jaziri
Malaye Jaziri
Malaye Jaziri , was a Kurdish writer, poet and mystic.He was born in Jazira , the capital of Bohtan principality. Here the first school of classical Kurdish poetry in the Kurmanji dialect was established. Malaye Jaziri was the leading representative of this school and, one can add, a fine...
. Some of the well-known Kurmanji poets and writers are listed below.
- Ali HaririAli HaririAli Hariri was among the first well-known Kurdish poets who wrote in Kurdish. He was from the Hakkari region of Turkey.- References :...
(1425–1495). - Mullah Ahmad (1417–1494) from Hakkari region, who wrote the author of Mawlud, a collection of verse and an anthologyAnthologyAn anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler. It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts...
; - Salim Salman, author of Yûsif û Zuleyxa in 1586;
- Malaye JaziriMalaye JaziriMalaye Jaziri , was a Kurdish writer, poet and mystic.He was born in Jazira , the capital of Bohtan principality. Here the first school of classical Kurdish poetry in the Kurmanji dialect was established. Malaye Jaziri was the leading representative of this school and, one can add, a fine...
(1570–1640) from Buhtan region, the famous sufi poet. His collection of poems contains more than 2,000 verses - Ahmad Khani (1651–1707), the author of Mam and Zin, a long poem of 2,650 distichs,is probably the best known and most popular of the classical Kurdish poets.
- Ismail Bayazidi (1654–1710), author of a Kurmanji-ArabicArabic languageArabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
-PersianPersian languagePersian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
dictionary for children, entitled Guljen.
The tragedy of Mam and Zin
The drama of Mem û Zîn(Mam and Zin) (Memî Alan û Zînî Buhtan), was written in 1694 by Ahmad Khani (1651–1707) from Hakkari, is a rich source of Kurdish culture, history and mythology. This work also emphasizes the nationalNationalism
Nationalism is a political ideology that involves a strong identification of a group of individuals with a political entity defined in national terms, i.e. a nation. In the 'modernist' image of the nation, it is nationalism that creates national identity. There are various definitions for what...
aspirations of the Kurdish people.
Mam of the Alan clan
Clan
A clan is a group of people united by actual or perceived kinship and descent. Even if lineage details are unknown, clan members may be organized around a founding member or apical ancestor. The kinship-based bonds may be symbolical, whereby the clan shares a "stipulated" common ancestor that is a...
and Zin of Buhtan family are two lovers from Alan and Butan families, respectively. Their union is blocked by a person named Bakr of the Bakran clan. Mam eventually dies during a complicated conspiracy by Bakr. When Zin receives the news, she also dies while mourning the death of Mam on his grave. The immense grief leads to her death and she is buried next to Mam. The news of the death of Mam and Zin, spreads quickly among the people of Jazira Butan. Then Bakr's role in the tragedy
Tragedy
Tragedy is a form of art based on human suffering that offers its audience pleasure. While most cultures have developed forms that provoke this paradoxical response, tragedy refers to a specific tradition of drama that has played a unique and important role historically in the self-definition of...
is revealed, and he takes sanctuary between the two graves. He is eventually captured and slain by the people of Jazira. A thorn bush soon grows out of Bakr’s blood, sending its roots of malice deep into the earth between the lovers’ graves, separating the two even after their death.
Contemporary Kurmanji Literature
The first Kurmanji newspaper, titled Kurdistan, was published in CairoCairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
in 1898. The Kurds in the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
, despite their small numbers, had the opportunity of elementary and university education in Kurdish and for many decades. This in turn lead to an appearance of several Kurdish writers and researchers among them. The literary works of Kurdoev and Shamilov are the well known examples of Kurdish prose in the 20th century. The first modern latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
-based alphabet for Kurdish was created by Jaladat Ali Badirkhan
Jaladat Ali Badirkhan
Celadet Bedir Khan , also known as Mîr Celadet) , was a Kurdish diplomat, writer, linguist, journalist and political activist. He held a master's degree in law from Istanbul University, completed his studies in Munich, and spoke several foreign languages including Arabic, Kurdish, Russian, German,...
, the poet and writer who fled Turkey in 1920s and spend the rest of his life in Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
.
Since 1970s, there has been a massive effort on the part of Kurds in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
to write and to create literary works in Kurdish. The amount of printed material during the last three decades has increased enormously. Many of these activities were centered in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
particularly Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
where many of the immigrant Kurds are living. There are a number of Kurdish publishers in Sweden, partly supported by the Swedish Government. More than two hundred Kurdish titles have appeared in the 1990s. Some of the well known contemporary Kurdish writers from Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
are Firat Cewerî
Firat Cewerî
Firat Cewerî, is a Kurdish writer, translator and journalist. He was born in the town of Dêrik near Mardin in south-eastern Turkey. In 1980s, he emigrated to Sweden, where he lives now....
, Mehmed Uzun
Mehmed Uzun
Mehmed Uzun was a contemporary Kurdish writer and novelist. He was born in Siverek, Urfa, Turkey.Although the Kurdish language was outlawed in Turkey from 1920 to 1990, he started to write in his mother tongue. As a writer, he achieved a great deal towards shaping a modern Kurdish literary...
, Mehmed Emin Bozarslan
Mehmed Emin Bozarslan
Mehmed Emîn Bozarslan, , is a Kurdish writer. He was born in Diyarbakır in south-eastern Turkey. He moved to Sweden as political asylum seeker in 1978, and he has been living in Uppsala Sweden since then. The most famous of his early works was Alfabê which was the first ABC-Book for Kurdish...
, Mahmud Baksi
Mahmud Baksi
Mahmud Baksi , , was a Kurdish writer and journalist. He was born in the village of Suphî in Batman Province in Turkey. He began to publish a newspaper titled Batman Gazetesi in 1967. He became the head of the Batman branch of the Workers Party of Turkey. From 1968 to 1970, he became involved in...
, Hesenê Metê
Hesenê Metê
Hesenê Metê, , is a prominent Kurdish writer, novelist and translator. He was born in Erxanî near Diyarbakır in south-eastern Turkey. He has been living in Sweden since 1980's. He has translated works by Pushkin and Dostoyevski into Kurdish....
, Arjen Arî, Berken Bereh and Rojen Barnas
Rojen Barnas
Rojen Barnas is a contemporary Kurdish poet and writer. He was born in the Diyarbakır region in south-eastern Turkey. He became active in Kurdish politics in the 1970s. He has made his home in Sweden since 1981. He started publishing a Kurdish magazine called Tîrêj in the 70's. He has also...
. Besides these writers, there is a new generation that emerged in the middle of 90's and aftermath, writers, poets and translators such as Kawa Nemir, Rênas Jiyan, Lal Laleş, Îbrahîm Seydo Aydogan, Yaqob Tilermenî, Cîhan Roj, Mîran Janbar, Şener Özmen, Ferzan Şêr, Yunus Eroğlu, Dilawer Zeraq, Sîdar Jîr, Omer Dilsoz, Hemîd Dilbahar, Ergin Öpengin, Gulîzer, Lorîn S. Dogan, Lokman Ayebe and Ehmed Ronîar.
The main academic center for Kurdish literature and language in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
is the Kurdish Institute of Paris
Kurdish Institute of Paris
Kurdish Institute of Paris , founded in February 1983, is an organization focused on Kurdish language and culture. It is one of the main Kurdish academic centers in Europe...
(Institut Kurde de Paris) founded in 1983. A large number of Kurdish intellectuals and writers from Europe, America and Australia are contributing to the efforts carried out by the Institute for reviving Kurdish language and literature.
Sorani Literature
Contrary to Kurmanji, literary works in SoraniSoranî
Soranî is the name of a Kurdish language that is spoken in Iran and Iraq. Soranî is one of the main Kurdish languages, which are a branch of the Iranian languages.- Name :...
appeared only in the late 18th century and early 19th century. Nali
Nali
Nalî also known as Mullah Xidir Ehmed Şawaysî Mîkayalî Nalî also known as Mullah Xidir Ehmed Şawaysî Mîkayalî Nalî also known as Mullah Xidir Ehmed Şawaysî Mîkayalî (1800-1873 in Istanbul, Turkey, was a Kurdish polymath, who is considered to be one of the greatest Kurdish poet in Kurdish...
Was The First one who's wrote poem in this dialect. and Haji Qadir Koyi
Haji Qadir Koyi
Haji Qadir Koyi , , was a Kurdish poet. He carried on the nationalistic message of Ahmad Khani in his writings. He wanted to enlighten the people and help them to remedy the problems of illiteracy and backwardness and ideas which result from lack of knowledge and religious fanaticism...
of Koy Sanjaq
Koi Sanjaq
The town Koi Sanjaq is located in the Erbil Governorate of Iraqi Kurdistan, close to the Iranian border.Wallace Lyon, travelling through the town in 1923, compared it to Sulaimani and noted that it was a centre for tobacco...
in central Kurdistan (1817–1897), and Sheikh Rezza Talabani
Sheikh Rezza Talabani
Sheikh Riza Talabani , a celebrated Kurdish poet from Kirkuk, Iraq. Talabani wrote his poetry in Kurdish, Turkish, Persian, and Arabic. Some of Sheikh Riza's poems considered by some historian as a credible testimony to the history of the city of Kirkuk...
(1835–1909) also wrote in Sorani Dialect after Nali
Nali
Nalî also known as Mullah Xidir Ehmed Şawaysî Mîkayalî Nalî also known as Mullah Xidir Ehmed Şawaysî Mîkayalî Nalî also known as Mullah Xidir Ehmed Şawaysî Mîkayalî (1800-1873 in Istanbul, Turkey, was a Kurdish polymath, who is considered to be one of the greatest Kurdish poet in Kurdish...
. Closeness of the two dialects of Sorani and Kurmanji, is cited as one of the reasons for the late start in Sorani literature and the fact that during 15th to 19th century, there was a rich literary tradition in the Kurmanji dialect.
Despite its late start, Sorani literature progressed with a rapid pace, specially during the early 20th century and after recognition of Sorani as the main language of Kurds in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
. The language rights of Kurds were guaranteed by the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and school education in Kurdish started in earnest in the early 1920s. It is estimated that almost 80% of the existing Kurdish literature in the 20th century has been written in Sorani dialect.
Increased contact with the Arab world and subsequently western world led to a translation movement among Kurds in Iraqi Kurdistan
Iraqi Kurdistan
Iraqi Kurdistan or Kurdistan Region is an autonomous region of Iraq. It borders Iran to the east, Turkey to the north, Syria to the west and the rest of Iraq to the south. The regional capital is Arbil, known in Kurdish as Hewlêr...
in the early 20th century. Many classical literary works of Europe were translated into Sorani, including the works of Pushkin, Schiller, Byron and Lamartine.
Kurdish is one of the official languages of Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
and the central government assistance has been instrumental in supporting publication of books and magazines in Kurdish. In 1970s, an oraganization called Korî Zaniyarî Kurd(The Scientific academy of Kurds) was established for academic studies in Kurdish language and literature. It was centered in Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
. Kurdish language departments were also opened in some Iraqi universities including Baghdad University, University of Salahaddin and University of Sulaimani
University of Sulaimani
The University of Sulaimani is a public university located in the city of Sulaymaniyah in Kurdistan Region - Iraq. It is one of the important scientific and cultural centers in Kurdistan region. It was founded in 1968. The University comprises 27 colleges, the main campus is in Sulaimani city and...
. The well known sorani poets include Abdulla Goran
Abdulla Goran
Abdulla Goran was a Kurdish poet. He undoubtedly brought about a revolution in Kurdish poetry, and is also called the father of modern Kurdish literature. At this time Kurdish poetry was loaded with hundreds of years of foreign heritage, especially Arabic...
(founder of the free verse
Free verse
Free verse is a form of poetry that refrains from consistent meter patterns, rhyme, or any other musical pattern.Poets have explained that free verse, despite its freedom, is not free. Free Verse displays some elements of form...
poetry in Kurdish), Sherko Bekas
Sherko Bekas
Sherko Bekas , , is a prominent contemporary Kurdish poet. He was born on 2 May 1940 in Sulaimaniya in Iraqi Kurdistan as a son of the Kurdish poet Fayak Bekas....
, Abdulla Pashew
Abdulla Pashew
Abdulla Pashew, or Ebdulla Peşêw, is a well-known Kurdish poet. He was born in 1946 in Hewlêr, Iraqi Kurdistan. He studied at the Teachers' Training Institute in Hewlêr , and participated in the Foundation Congress of the Kurdish Writers' Union in Baghdad in 1970. In 1973 he went to the former...
, Qanih. Many Kurdish writers have written novels, plays
Play (theatre)
A play is a form of literature written by a playwright, usually consisting of scripted dialogue between characters, intended for theatrical performance rather than just reading. There are rare dramatists, notably George Bernard Shaw, who have had little preference whether their plays were performed...
and literary analysis including Piramerd
Piramerd
Tawfeq Mahmoud Hamza or Piramerd, , , was a Kurdish poet , writer, novelist and journalist. He was born in the Gwêje neighborhood of Sulaimaniya city in Iraq. In 1926, he became the editor of the Kurdish newspaper Jîyan...
, Alaaddin Sajadi
Alaaddin Sajadi
Alaaddin Sajjadi was a Kurdish writer, poet and academic. He was born in Iran Kurdistan. He finished his religious studies and became a cleric in 1938. He began working in the field of journalism in 1939, and became the Editor-in-Chief of the Kurdish journal Gelawêj in 1941. In 1948, he published...
, Ibrahim Ahmad
Ibrahim Ahmad
Ibrahim Ahmad Ibrahim Ahmad (1914-2000) Ibrahim Ahmad (1914-2000) (Alternatively spelled Ibrahim Ahmed or Ibrahîm Ehmed (Kurdish: ئبراهیم هحمهد), was a Kurdish writer, novelist and translator.-Biography:...
, Karim Hisami
Karim Hisami
Karim Hisami or Kerîmî Hisamî, was an Iranian-Kurdish writer. He was born in the village of Beyrem near Mahabad. His real name was Karimi Mirza Hamed. Karim Hisami was his pen-name. At early age, he became involved in politics, and was registered as the 18th member of Komeley Jiyanewey Kurd party...
and Hejar
Hejar
Abdurrahman Sharafkandi or Hazhar or Hajar, , was a renowned Kurdish writer, poet, linguist, and translator, from Iran.He was also the brother of the late Kurdish politician Dr. Sadeq Sharafkandi . Dr...
.there are also some contemporary well-known novel and play writers such as Medhit Bexaw, Karim Sharaza, Abdul Khaliq Aladdin and Dr. Ezzadin Rasul.
Religious
- Mishefa Reş, The religious book of the Êzidî (Yezidi) Kurds. http://www.kurdishinstitute.be/page.php?ID=325 (in French) It is held to have been written by Shaykh Hasan (born ca. AD 1195), a nephew of Shaykh Adi ibn Musâfir, the sacred prophet of the Yezidis.
- Serencam, The book of Yarsan.
In Goranî Dialect
- Perîşan Dînewerî (d. ca. 1395),
- Mustefa Bêsaranî (1642–1701),
- Muhemmed Kendulaî (late 17th century),
- Khana QubadiKhana QubadiKhana Qubadi or , , was a Kurdish poet. He wrote his poems in the Hawrami dialect. He belonged to the Hawrami school of poetry in the Ardalan principality.-Works:...
(Xana Qubadî) (1700–1759), - Muhemmed Zengene Xemnakî Kerkûkî (early 18th century),
- Mîrza Şafî Dînewerî (mid- 18th century),
- Şeyda Ewramî (1784–1852),
- Ehmed Beg Kumsî (1796–1889),
- Mastoureh ArdalanMastoureh ArdalanMah Sharaf Khanom Mastoureh Ardalan or Mastura Ardalan was a Kurdish poet and writer. She was born in Sanandaj in north-western Iran and deceased in Sulaymaniyah in present-day north-eastern Iraq. She was a member of the feudal aristocracy in the court of the Ardalan principality centered in Senna...
(Mestûrey Erdelan) (1805–1848) - Mawlawi TawagoziMawlawi TawagoziEbdulrehîm Mela Seîd Mawlawi Tawagozi, , was a Kurdish poet and sufi. His pen name was Madum or Madumi, but he is also known as Mewlewi Kurd.-Early life:...
(Mewlewî Tawegozî ) (1806–1882) - Muhammad Welî Kirmanşahî (d. ca. 1901)
Famous poets in Kurmancî Dialect
- Alî Harîrî, (1425–1495)
- Ehmedê Batê (Ahmade BateAhmade BateMala Ahmade Bate was a Kurdish poet and cleric. His real name was Hussein. He belonged to the Artushi tribe...
) (1417–1491) of Hekkarî, the author of Mewlûda Kurmancî (Birthday in Kurmanji), a collection of poems. - Selîm Selman, (mid 16th century) (romance of Yusif u Zulaykha in 1586)
- Melayê Cizîrî(Şeyx Ehmed Cizîrî) (Malaye JaziriMalaye JaziriMalaye Jaziri , was a Kurdish writer, poet and mystic.He was born in Jazira , the capital of Bohtan principality. Here the first school of classical Kurdish poetry in the Kurmanji dialect was established. Malaye Jaziri was the leading representative of this school and, one can add, a fine...
) (1570–1640) of Buhtan region, poet and sufi. see http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0SBL/is_16/ai_n13784515. - Feqîyê Teyran (Faqi TayranFaqi TayranFaqi Tayran is considered as one of the great classic Kurdish poets and writers. His real name was "Mir Mihemed". He was born in a village called "Miks" in the Hakkari region of the Ottoman Empire...
) (1590–1660) Student of Melayê Cezîrî. He is credited for contributing the earliest literary account of the Battle of Dimdim in 1609-1610 between Kurds and Safavid Empire. (see http://www.iranica.com/articles/v7/v7f4/v7f446.html). - Ahmad Khani (1651–1707) (The epic drama of Mem û Zîn) (Born in Hakkari, Turkey) (see http://www.iranica.com/articles/sup/Ahmad_e_Kani.html)
- Mehmûd Bayazîdî (Mahmud BayazidiMahmud BayazidiMahmud Bayazidi , was an Kurdish polymath from Bayazid in the Ottoman Empire.-Early life:He was born in Bayazid in 1797. He started his studies by reading the Koran, and then Arabic, Persian, Ottoman and Kurdish. He then moved to Tabriz in north-western Iran to continue his studies...
), (1797–1859 ) Kurdish writer.
In Soranî Dialect
- NaliNaliNalî also known as Mullah Xidir Ehmed Şawaysî Mîkayalî Nalî also known as Mullah Xidir Ehmed Şawaysî Mîkayalî Nalî also known as Mullah Xidir Ehmed Şawaysî Mîkayalî (1800-1873 in Istanbul, Turkey, was a Kurdish polymath, who is considered to be one of the greatest Kurdish poet in Kurdish...
(NalîNaliNalî also known as Mullah Xidir Ehmed Şawaysî Mîkayalî Nalî also known as Mullah Xidir Ehmed Şawaysî Mîkayalî Nalî also known as Mullah Xidir Ehmed Şawaysî Mîkayalî (1800-1873 in Istanbul, Turkey, was a Kurdish polymath, who is considered to be one of the greatest Kurdish poet in Kurdish...
) (1798–1855) - Haji Qadir KoyiHaji Qadir KoyiHaji Qadir Koyi , , was a Kurdish poet. He carried on the nationalistic message of Ahmad Khani in his writings. He wanted to enlighten the people and help them to remedy the problems of illiteracy and backwardness and ideas which result from lack of knowledge and religious fanaticism...
(Hacî Qadir Koyî) (1817–1897) - Sheikh Rezza TalabaniSheikh Rezza TalabaniSheikh Riza Talabani , a celebrated Kurdish poet from Kirkuk, Iraq. Talabani wrote his poetry in Kurdish, Turkish, Persian, and Arabic. Some of Sheikh Riza's poems considered by some historian as a credible testimony to the history of the city of Kirkuk...
(Şêx Reza Talebanî) (1835–1910) - MahwiMahwiMahwi or Mehwî , , was one of the most prominenet classical Kurdish poets and sufis from Iraq. He studied in Sablakh and Sanandaj in Iranian Kurdistan. He became a judge in the court of Sulaimaniya, in today's Iraq, in 1862, which was then part of the Ottoman Empire. He travelled to Istanbul and...
(1830–1906) - WafaeiWafaeiWafaei or Wefayî, , was a Kurdish poet. His real name was Abdorrahim. He was born in Mahabad in present-day north-western Iran. He finished religious studies in Mahabad and became a cleric, and a teacher in the local school. He moved to Sulaimaniya in 1900 and stayed there for a while. He travelled...
(1844–1902)
For more details see http://www.kurdishacademy.org/english/literature/literature.html.
Also see http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/coldwater/322/mehname0005-03.html for an English translation of a poem by Ahmad Khani and http://www.navkurd.de/edebiyat.htm for a list of Kurdish
Kurdish language
Kurdish is a dialect continuum spoken by the Kurds in western Asia. It is part of the Iranian branch of the Indo-Iranian group of Indo-European languages....
poets and writers.
Kurdish Poets and writers of the 20th century
- PiramerdPiramerdTawfeq Mahmoud Hamza or Piramerd, , , was a Kurdish poet , writer, novelist and journalist. He was born in the Gwêje neighborhood of Sulaimaniya city in Iraq. In 1926, he became the editor of the Kurdish newspaper Jîyan...
or Pîremêrd (Tewfîq Beg Mehmûd Axa) (1867–1950) Poet, Writer, Playwright and Journalist. - Celadet Alî Bedirxan (Jaladat Ali BadirkhanJaladat Ali BadirkhanCeladet Bedir Khan , also known as Mîr Celadet) , was a Kurdish diplomat, writer, linguist, journalist and political activist. He held a master's degree in law from Istanbul University, completed his studies in Munich, and spoke several foreign languages including Arabic, Kurdish, Russian, German,...
(1893–1951) Writer, Journalist and Liguist. - Arab ShamilovArab ShamilovArab Shamilov , , was a Kurdish novelist. He was born in the city of Kars in a Yazidi family in present-day north-eastern Turkey. During the World War I, from 1914 to 1917, he served as an interpreter for the Russian army. Later on, he became a member of the central committee of the Armenia's...
(Erebê Şemo) (1897–1978). Kurdish novelist in Armenia. - CigerxwînCigerxwînCigerxwîn or Cegerxwîn was a renowned Kurdish polymath, and nationalist.He is known to be one of the most influential Kurdish writers and poets in the Kurdistan region of the Middle East, and his work has been renewed for the creation of hundreds of songs and played a crucial role in the...
or Cegerxwîn(Jigarkhwin) (Sheikmous Hasan) (1903–1984) poet, born in Mardin, Turkey. Died in Sweden. - Abdulla GoranAbdulla GoranAbdulla Goran was a Kurdish poet. He undoubtedly brought about a revolution in Kurdish poetry, and is also called the father of modern Kurdish literature. At this time Kurdish poetry was loaded with hundreds of years of foreign heritage, especially Arabic...
(1904–1962). The founder of modern Kurdish poetry. - Osman SabriOsman SabriOsman Sabri , , a Kurdish poet, writer and journalist. He was born in Narînç or Narinc in what was then the eastern provinces of the Ottoman Empire...
(1905–1993) Kurdish poet, writer and journalist, Turkey/Syria. - Nado MakhmudovNado MakhmudovNado Makhmudov was a famous Armenian-born Kurdish writer and public figure.- Childhood :Nado Makhmudov was born on January 1, 1907, in the village of Daranlukh, now Martuni, in Armenia. Nado's mother, Tare, was of noble birth...
(1907-1990) Kurdish writer and public figure, Armenia. - Hemin MukriyaniHemin MukriyaniHemin Mukriyani was the pen name for Seyed Mohammad Amin Shaikholislami Mukri, Kurdish poet, journalist, translator, and literary critic.He was born in the village of Lachin, near Mahabad in 1945...
(Hêmin MukriyanîHemin MukriyaniHemin Mukriyani was the pen name for Seyed Mohammad Amin Shaikholislami Mukri, Kurdish poet, journalist, translator, and literary critic.He was born in the village of Lachin, near Mahabad in 1945...
)(1920–1986) Poet and Journalist, Iran. - HejarHejarAbdurrahman Sharafkandi or Hazhar or Hajar, , was a renowned Kurdish writer, poet, linguist, and translator, from Iran.He was also the brother of the late Kurdish politician Dr. Sadeq Sharafkandi . Dr...
(Abdurrahman Sharafkandi) (1920–1990), Poet, Writer, Translator and Linguist, Iran. - Jamal NebezJamal NebezJamal Nebez is a Kurdish linguist and mathematician. He studied Islamic law, philosophy, theology, physics and mathematics of the University of Baghdad in the 1950s...
(1933- ) Writer, Linguist , Translator and Academic, Germany. - Sherko BekasSherko BekasSherko Bekas , , is a prominent contemporary Kurdish poet. He was born on 2 May 1940 in Sulaimaniya in Iraqi Kurdistan as a son of the Kurdish poet Fayak Bekas....
(Şêrko Bêkes) (1940- ) Poet, Iraqi Kurdistan. His poems have been translated to over 10 languages. - "Geheimnisse der Nacht pfluecken" translated by Shirwan Mirza, Reingard Mirza, and Renate Saljoughi, and The English translation "The secret Diary of a Rose", by Shirwan Mirza, and Reingard Mirza.
- Latif HalmatLatif HalmatLatif Halmat or Letîf Helmet, , is a Kurdish poet. He was born in Kifri near Kirkuk in Iraqi Kurdistan. He worked as a journalist during the 1970s and 1980s. He has published some 20 poetry books...
(Letîf Helmet) (1947- ) Poet, Iraqi Kurdistan. - Abdulla PashewAbdulla PashewAbdulla Pashew, or Ebdulla Peşêw, is a well-known Kurdish poet. He was born in 1946 in Hewlêr, Iraqi Kurdistan. He studied at the Teachers' Training Institute in Hewlêr , and participated in the Foundation Congress of the Kurdish Writers' Union in Baghdad in 1970. In 1973 he went to the former...
(Ebdulla Peşêw) (1947- ) Poet. - Kamaran Ihsan Salih (1969-) Poet.
- Rafiq SabirRafiq SabirRafiq Sabir is a contemporary Kurdish poet.He was born in Qaladzê in Iraqi Kurdistan. In 1974, he received Bachelor of Arts degree from Baghdad University. He moved to Sweden in 1989. He writes in the sorani dialect...
(1950- ) Poet, Sweden. - Mehmed UzunMehmed UzunMehmed Uzun was a contemporary Kurdish writer and novelist. He was born in Siverek, Urfa, Turkey.Although the Kurdish language was outlawed in Turkey from 1920 to 1990, he started to write in his mother tongue. As a writer, he achieved a great deal towards shaping a modern Kurdish literary...
, (1953–2007), Contemporary Writer and Novelist. - Firat CewerîFirat CewerîFirat Cewerî, is a Kurdish writer, translator and journalist. He was born in the town of Dêrik near Mardin in south-eastern Turkey. In 1980s, he emigrated to Sweden, where he lives now....
, (1959- ),Contemporary Writer and Novelist. - Kovan Sindî,(1965-),Poet,Writer and Novelist.
- Jan Dost,(1965-),writer and Novelist.
- Helîm Yusiv,(1967-),writer and Novelist.
- Nizar Yusiv, (1963-),writer,poet and Novelist.
- Sebrî Silêvanî,(1971-),writer and Novelist.
- İbrahim Halil BaranIbrahim Halil Baranİbrahim Halil Baran is a Kurdish poet, writer and designer.-Biography:He completed his primary education in Suruc and the secondary, in Şanlıurfa. In 2003, he graduated from Dicle University, Faculty of Education. Department of Turkish Teaching, in Diyarbakır...
,(1981-),Poet, writer and designer. - Evdile KoçerEvdile KoçerEvdile Koçer , is a Kurdish writer.He studied at the Anadolu University. Later he studied at Uppsala University in Kurdish language and literature....
,(1977-),writer. - Dilawer Zeraq (1965-) Writer-translator-novelist
- Azad ZalAzad ZalAzad Zal is a poet, writer, journalist, translator and linguist of Kurdish origin. He was born in Amed. He is the vice chairman of the Kurdish Writers' Association and he is section editor of The Kurdish Institute of Amed....
(1972-) Writer-journalist-translator-poet-linguist and lexicographer
Kurdish Poets and writers of the 21st century
- Ekber Rezaî Kelhor(1966-),Contemporary writer,poet from KermanshahKermanshahKermanshah is a city in and the capital of Kermanshah Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 784,602, in 198,117 families.The overwhelming majority of Kermanshahi people are Shi'a Muslims...
, Iran.
External links
- PHILIP G. KREYENBROEK, "Kurdish Written Literature", Encyclopedia Iranica
- T. Bois, Kurdish Folklore and Literature, Part VI of Kurds and Kurdistan, Encyclopaedia of Islam.
- Kurdish Literature, by Prof. Mehrdad R. Izady, Kurdish Academy.
- The Kurdish Language and Literature, By Joyce Blau, Professor of Kurdish language and civilization at the National Institute of Oriental Language and Civilization of the University of Paris (INALCO).
- Kurdish Written Literature, By Philip G. Kreyenbroek, Encyclopaedia Iranica, Feb. 2005.
- The Kurdish Institute of Paris
- Kurdish Language Academy in Iran
- The Kurdish Language Department, University of Salahaddin
- Kurdish Literature, Columbia UniversityColumbia UniversityColumbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
- Index of Kurdish Literature and Authors, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University.
- The Anthology of Kurdish Poems
- Links for Kurdish literature, Kurdish Library
- Mem and Zîn or the burning wings of love, Interview with Sandrine Alexie, the translator of Mam and Zin into French.
- Publications of Kurdish Institute of Istanbul