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The Yezidis Birgul Acikyildiz

The Yezidis By Birgul Acikyildiz

The Yezidis by Birgul Acikyildiz


£4.69
Condition - Very Good
Out of stock

Summary

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.

The Yezidis Summary

The Yezidis: The History of a Community, Culture and Religion by Birgul Acikyildiz

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.

The Yezidis Reviews

'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

About Birgul Acikyildiz

A specialist in medieval Islamic and Ottoman art and architecture, and an expert on Yezidi religion and culture, Birgul Acikyildiz is Professor of the History of Art at Mardin Artuklu University. Before taking this post she was Research Fellow in the Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford, and taught in the Department of Islamic Art and Archaeology of the University of Paris I Pantheon-Sorbonne.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations Acknowledgements Abbreviations Introduction Chapter I: Origins, History and Development Yezidis in Mesopotamia and Anatolia Yezidis in Syria Yezidis in Transcaucasia II: Religious Belief System 1. God, Angels and the Trinity God (Xwede) Angels The Peacock Angel (Tawusi Melek) Sultan Ezi Sheikh 'Ad? 2. Yezidi Mythology Creation of Cosmos and Universe Creation of Human Being The Flood 3. Holy Books 4. Religious Hierarchy Chapter III: Religious Practices, Observances and Rituals Haircut, Baptism, Circumcision, Brother of the Hereafter, Marriage, Death Prayer Fast Pilgrimage Festivals and Ceremonies Taboos Chapter IV: Material Culture Homeland, Landscape, Sacred Places Places of Worship The Sanctuary Mausoleums Shrines The Baptistery Caves Tombstones Conclusion Appendixes Glossary Notes BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX

Additional information

GOR006607237
9781784532161
1784532169
The Yezidis: The History of a Community, Culture and Religion by Birgul Acikyildiz
Used - Very Good
Paperback
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
20140821
320
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in very good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us

Customer Reviews - The Yezidis