Yezidism or Yazidism officially began somewhere in the 12th Century within the Kurdish Mountains which border northern Iran, southern Turkey and parts of Syria.
Most historians report an ancient version of the religion began much earlier, possibly 7000 years ago. The name Yazidi might come from Yazd, Iran or Yazad/yazata which means "God" in Kurdish. Some believe the name comes from a caliph named Yazid ibn Mu'awiya who killed the Prophet Muhammad's grandson and then retreated within the Kurdish Mountains.
Sheikh Hasan expanded the religion throughout the 13th Century, attracting many Kurds and other Muslims. The religion began to defy Islam by drinking alcohol and not facing Mecca in prayer. The Yezidis now live in tribal communities and face persecution within the Middle East.
The Yezidis claim to incorporate parts of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism into their religion, but they are much more closely linked to Zoroastrianism. Zoroaster, the religion's founder, preached two mentalities under one god, Ahura Mazda. The Magi or three wisemen from the Bible were believed to be Zoroastrians. This religion comes from the Ismaeli branch of Islam. In the Bible, Ishmael was the older brother of Isaac who was banished with his Egyptian mother after Sara gave birth to Abraham's second son Isaac.
Yazidis' roots are Zoroastrian, but they have added their own spin on the religion. Shaykh Abi Musafir, born 1070-1162, was the founder of the modern-day version of Yazidism. Yazidis have two holy books, the Black Book and Revelation. Some believe Revelation is a forgery, authored by Westerners with the intention of sugar coating the odd religion. The Black Book might also be a forgery, but there is a debate. Because of the religion's secrecy, scholars believe this group never had an official sacred text. Yezidis are known for passing on their traditions orally through their holy men or priests.
Yazidis believe that "God" (Xwede) created the world from a white pearl. "God"/Xwede put this pearl on the back of Anfar, a bird, who carried it for 40,000 years until Earth evolved. God is made up of a "holy trinity" with Malak Tawas (a peacock angel), Sheikh Adi, and Sultan Ezi. Malak Tawas also called the peacock angel is the most important in this trinity and appears every 1000 years. Malak Tawas is "God", like an alter-ego, and leads the seven angels that come from the pearl. Westerners, Muslims, and ISIS believe Malak Tawas is really Satan. Shaytan is Satan in the Koran.
Shaytan, another name for Malek Tawas, refused to bow down to Adam and Eve after God commanded him. Yazidis believe God and Satan made amends and reconciled. The peacock is Malak Tawas's symbol. Satan was not created by God, but born of a white pearl. Many Muslims and Christians label the religion as devil-worshippers.
Middle Eastern Yazidis speak Kurmanji. They believe in reincarnation, pray five times a day in front of fire, fast, celebrate their own New Year's Eve, throw a Festival of the Peacock, refuse to eat lettuce, and make a pilgrimage to Sheikh Musafir's tomb, the religion's founder. They believe Jesus was an angel in human form and Mohammad was a prophet. They won't spit or wear the color blue. Some believe the color blue represents Noah. This is especially interesting because the Flood might have been about getting rid of all of the fallen angels.
Yazidis are baptized and circumcised (not a requirement). They are monogamous, but priests/chiefs can be polygamous. They believe they descended from Adam alone, and not Eve. Yezidis are forbidden to marry outside of their culture and religion. They also practice Honor Killings which victimize women who violate their laws, culture, and traditions. A few years back, a case in Germany was reported about a Yazidi girl who fell in love with a German boy. Her family killed her.
I found this religion fascinating and used parts of it for my book, Peacocks, Pedestals, and Prayers now available on Amazon. The horror/paranormal novel uses a great deal of research from ancient writings.
1 comment:
Peacocks Pedestals and Prayers sounds like an awesome book. I just bought it and started reading it.
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