Ezidkhan
Ezidkhan (ايزيدخا in Arabic script, transliterated variously as Êzîdxan, Êzdîxan or Êzîdîxan, meaning Land of the Yezidis)[1] encapsulates the historical areas of settlement of the Yezidis. It includes the Iraqi regions Sinjar, Ba'adra, Shekhan, Hatarah, Bashiqa and Bahzani in Ninawa province, which are primarily inhabited by Yezidis.[2] Whereas Kurdistan encapsulates an area now divided between Iran, Iraq, Turkey, and Syria,[3] Ezidkhan, conceptually a part of Greater Kurdistan, lies solely within the boundaries of Iraq, including regions both within the Kurdish Regional Government (eg. Shekhan) and Iraq proper (eg. Sinjar).
Historical references
The term Ezidkhan is also often found in the sacred texts of the Yezidi. An example of this is the Qesîda Şerfedîn (The message of Sherfedin):[4][5]
- Ciwabê bidne Êzîdxanê (Proclaims the message in the Land of the Yezidis)
- Bila qayîmkin Îmanê (They should consolidate and defend their faith)
- Şerfedîn mîr e li dîwanê (Sherfedin is the prince in residence)
Notable locations
The village of Lalish, containing the holiest temple complex in Yezidism, is located within the Yezidi settlements in what is now northern Iraq. Lalish is currently under the jurisdiction of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
Modern usage
Due to the formation of dedicated Yezidi Peshmerga in response to the advance of the Islamic State, the term 'Ezidkhan' has experienced greater usage. In October 2015 the Yekîneyên Parastina Jin ê Şengalê or YPJ-Sinjar (Women's Defense Units of Sinjar) changed its name to Yekinêyen Jinên Êzidxan or YJÊ (Ezidkhan Women's Units).[6] And in November 2015 the Hêza Parastina Şingal or HPŞ (Protection Force of Sinjar) changed its name to Hêza Parastina Êzîdxanê or HPÊ (Protection Force of Ezidkhan).[7]
See also
- Nineveh Province
- Genocide of Yazidis by ISIL
- Sinjar massacre
- Sinjar Alliance
- Kurdification & Arabization
References
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