sprache

Vocabulary Glossary

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Trust level: Trust A (academic peer-reviewed) Sources: Fritillaria Kurdica Issues 3-4 (Rodziewicz “Yezidi Eros”), 5 (Lalish Center interview), 9 (Bayazidi), 13-14 (Rodziewicz polemic), 16 (Pirbarî interview + Khorasan dictionary) Compilation date: 2026-05-22

Columns used: Hawar (Latin Kurmancî) | Cyrl (Cyrillic Êzîdiki) | DE | EN | PL | Source | Trust

Cyrillic spelling follows the ARMENIAN ÊZÎDÎ tradition (Pirbarî school) where available, otherwise left empty (gap marked with –). Trust = A (academically verified), B (cross-comparison plausible)

1. COSMOGONY & THEOLOGY: Key Terms

Hawar Cyrl EN EN PL Source Trust
Xwedê Хwэдэ God (the Highest, Creator) God (Creator) Bóg FK 3-4 (Rodziewicz), FK 16 (Pirbarî) A
Êzdan / Êzdanê me Эздан God (Êzîdî self-designation); “our God” Our God Êzdan (Bóg nasz) FK 3-4 (Qewlê Afirîna) A
Padşa / Padşê min Падша King / My King (= God in Qewl) The King / My King Mój Król FK 3-4 (Qewlê Zebûnê Meksûr) A
Tawûsê Melek / Tawûsî Malak Тавуси Малак Melekê Tawûs / Peacock Angel Peacock Angel Anioł Paw / Tawusi Malak FK 16 (Pirbarî) A
Sultan Êzîd / Siltan Êzîd Султан Эзид Sultan Êzîd (divine hypostasis) Sultan Yezid Sultan Jezid FK 16, FK 9 (Bayazidi) A
Şîxadî / Şêx Adî Шихади Şêx Adî ibn Musafir (earthly incarnation) Shaikh Adi Szejch Adi / Szichadi FK 3-4, FK 16 A
Melek Мэлэк Angel Angel Anioł FK 16 A
Heft Sur Хефт Сур Seven Mysteries (Holy Beings) Seven Mysteries / Holy Beings Siedem Tajemnic FK 3-4 (Q. Zebûnê) A
Heft Melek Хефт Мэлэк Seven Angels Seven Angels Siedmiu Aniołów FK 16 A
Xas Хас Holy one / Holy Being Holy Being Święty FK 3-4 A
Mihbet Мhбэт Love (cosmogonic, primordial) Love (cosmogonic) Miłość FK 3-4 (Qewlê Zebûnê) A
Eşq Эшк Love (passionate, later) Passionate love Miłość-eszk FK 3-4 A
Evîn Эвин Love (modern, general) Love miłość FK 3-4 (Rodziewicz) A
Hub / ubb hуб divine love (Arab.) Divine love (hubb) hub FK 3-4 A
Dur / Dura Spî Дур / Дура Спи Pearl / White Pearl (primordial substance) The Pearl / White Pearl Perła Biała FK 3-4 (Q. Bê Elîf) A
Sedef Сэдэф Mother-of-pearl Mother-of-pearl masa perłowa FK 3-4 A
Kase / Kasa Касэ Cup / Chalice (cosm. symbol) Cup / Chalice Kielich FK 3-4 (Q. Zebûnê) A
Xerqe / Xerqa nûranî Хэркэ Woolen garment (divine veil) Khirqa (woolen garment, mystic veil) szata sufiego FK 3-4 (Q. Qere Ferqan) A
Hêvîn hэвин Rennet (substance that makes love take effect) Rennet / Yeast (cosmogonic) podpuszczka FK 3-4 A
Şax Шах Branch (e.g. “Şaxa mihbetê” = Branch of Love) Branch Gałąź FK 3-4 A
Sur Сур Mystery, secret Mystery Tajemnica FK 3-4, FK 16 A
Tifaq Тифак Agreement, covenant (cosmogonic) Agreement, Pact Zgoda, Pakt FK 3-4 (Du’a Tifaqê) A
Heqîqet hэкикэт Truth (highest, Sufi) Truth Prawda FK 3-4 A
Bawirî Бавьри Belief, faith Belief, Faith Wiara FK 3-4 (Du’a Bawiriyê) A
Rûh Руh Soul Soul Dusza FK 3-4, FK 16 A
Nûr Нур Light (divine) Light (divine) Światło FK 3-4 (Q. Zebûnê) A
Cemal Джэмал Beauty Beauty Piękno FK 3-4 (Q. Afirîna) A
Aql / Eqil Акьл Intellect, reason Intellect Rozum FK 16 (Pirbarî) A
Fahm / Fehm Фэhм Understanding, comprehension Understanding Pojmowanie FK 16 A

2. RITUAL & CULT

Hawar Cyrl EN EN PL Source Trust
Qewl Кьэвл Sacred hymn (Êzîdî) Sacred hymn Hymn / Kell FK 3-4, FK 16 (all) A
Beyt Бэйт (sacred) verse poem Verse poem wiersz sakralny FK 16 A
Du’a Дуа Prayer Prayer Modlitwa FK 3-4, FK 16 A
Du’aya Hêvarê Дуая hэварэ Evening prayer (contains 5 duties) Evening Prayer Modlitwa Wieczorna FK 16 (Pirbarî) A
Du’aya Sibê Дуая Сьбэ Morning prayer Morning Prayer Modlitwa Poranna (implied) B
Pênc Ferzêt Heqîqetê Пенч Фэрзэт hэкикэтэ The Five Duties of Truth Five Duties of Truth Pięć obowiązków prawdy FK 16 A
Stêr Стэр Family shrine (in the home) / “Star” Star (family shrine) ster FK 16 (Pirbarî) A
Çera Чэра Oil lamp (lamp greeting) Oil lamp lampa oliwna FK 16 A
Berat Бэрат Sacred earth (from Lalish) Sacred earth pellets berat FK 16 A
Mar Мар Snake (sacred, temple patron) Snake (sacred) wąż FK 16 A
Xwedanê Malê / Khodanê Malê Хwэданэ малэ Lord of the house (guardian saint of the family) Lord of the House Opiekun Rodziny FK 16 A
Sersal / Sersala Êzdiyan Сэрсал Êzîdî New Year (1st Wednesday in April) Yezidi New Year Sersal (assumed) B
Çarşema Sor Чаршэма Сор “Red Wednesday” (Sersal day) Red Wednesday Czerwona Środa (general) B
Mezûb Мэзуб Pilgrimage song pilgrimage chant śpiew pielgrzymi (impl.) B
Sema Сэма Sacred dance / trance dance Sacred dance sema FK 16 A
Daf / Şibab Даф/Шьбаб Drum/flute (sacred instruments of the Qewals) Tambourine/Flute daf, szibab FK 16 A

3. SANCTUARIES & PLACES

Hawar Cyrl EN EN PL Source Trust
Laliş / Lalish Лалыш Lalish (main sanctuary in the Şêxan district) Lalish Lalisz FK 5, FK 16, FK 3-4 A
Kaniya Spî Каниа Спи White Spring (in Lalish) White Spring Biała Krynica FK 5 A
Zem-Zem Зэмзэм Zem-Zem Spring (in Lalish) Zem-Zem Zemzem FK 16 A
Mazar Мазар Tomb of a saint tomb of saint grobowiec świętego FK 16 (Pirbarî) A
Qub / Q’ub Куб Cupola / domed shrine Cupola / dome shrine kopuła FK 16 A
Ziyaret / Zjarata Зьяр Pilgrimage site pilgrimage site miejsce pielgrzymek FK 16 A
Nîşangah / Nişangie Ньшангa Marked holy place (small) marked holy spot znak miejsca świętego FK 16 A
Sindruk Сьндрук Reliquary box reliquary box reli kwiarz FK 16 A
Şîngal / Şingal Шингал Şingal mountains (Êzîdî highlands) Sinjar Sindżar / Szingal FK 5, FK 9 A
Şêxan Шехан Şêxan region (homeland of the Şêx line) Sheikhan Szejchan FK 9, FK 16 A
Beşîqê û Behzanê Бэшикэ у Бэхзанэ Beşîqê and Behzanê (Êzîdî twin village) Bashiqa & Bahzane Be’sziq i Behzan FK 5 A
Ba’edrê / Ba’dre Баадрэ Ba’edrê (seat of the Mîr) Ba’edrê Ba’dre FK 5 A
Şemal / Şemel Шэмал Şemal region Shamal Szemal FK 5 A

4. RELIGIOUS HIERARCHY

Hawar Cyrl EN EN PL Source Trust
Murîd Мурид Disciple, layperson Disciple, layperson Murid FK 16 A
Şêx / Shex Шех Şêx (religious teacher) Sheikh Szejch FK 16, FK 9 A
Pîr Пир Pîr (religious mentor) Pir (elder) Pir FK 16, FK 9 A
Şêmsanî Шэмсани Şêx line Şêmsanî (from which the Bavê Şêx descends) Shemsani lineage Szemsani FK 16 A
Adanî Адани Şêx line Adanî (from which the Peşimam descends) Adani lineage Adani FK 16 A
Qatanî Катани Şêx line Qatanî (from which the Mîr descends) Qatani lineage Qatani FK 16 A
Mîr / Mîrê Êzdiyan Мир Prince of the Êzîdîs Prince of the Yezidis Mir (książę) FK 16, FK 9 A
Mîr Tehsîn Seîd Beg Мир Тэhсин Сэид Бэг Mîr Tehsîn (prince 1944–2019; successor: Mîr Hazim, since 27 July 2019) Mir Tahsin Said Beg Mir Tehsin Seid Beg FK 16 A
Bavê Şêx Бавэ Шех “Father Şêx” (supreme spiritual leader) Father Sheikh Baba Szejch FK 16 A
Xurto Hecî Îsmaîl Хурто hэджи Исмаил Xurto Hecî Îsmaîl (Bavê Şêx until his death in 2020; successor: Şêx Alî Ilyas) Khurto Hajji Ismail Xurto Hecî Îsmail FK 16 A
Şêx-Extiyarê Mergehê Шех-Эхтьярэ Мэргэhэ “Elder Şêx of Mergehe” (title of the Bavê Şêx) Elder Sheikh of Merghe Starzec Merghe FK 16 A
Peşimam Пэшимам Chief ceremonial Şêx Chief ceremonial sheikh peszimam FK 16 A
Şêx Nu’man Шех Нуман Şêx Nu’man (current Peşimam) Sheikh Nu’man Szejch Nu’man FK 16 A
Feqîr / Fakir Фэкир Ascetic (in black) Ascetic fakir FK 9, FK 16 A
Koçek Кочэк Visionary, trance medium Visionary, seer koczak FK 9, FK 16 A
Qewal / Kewal Кьэвал Religious musician Religious musician, hymn-reciter kewal / qawal FK 9, FK 16 A
Kallal Кьаллал Kallal (Mosul-based itinerant singers) Kallal kallal FK 16 A
Çiraezdina Чыраэздина “Êzîdî candelabrum” (sacred candelabrum) Yezidi candelabrum “czira-ezdina” FK 9 A

5. IMPORTANT TEXTS & SCRIPTURES

Hawar Cyrl EN EN PL Source Trust
Mişefa Reş / Meshefa Resh Мьшэфа Рэш “Black Scripture” (presumably a forgery) Black Book Czarna Księga FK 13-14, FK 16 A
Kitêba Cilwe / Kitêba Celwe Кьтэба Джилвэ “Book of Revelation” (presumably a forgery) Book of Revelation Kiteba Della/Cilwe FK 13-14, FK 16 A
Êzîdîname Эздинамэ “Êzîdî Book” (sacred genre) Yezidi-Name Jezdiname (common) B

6. ANGEL NAMES

Hawar Cyrl EN EN PL Source Trust
Melek Tawûs (Tawûsê Melek / Tawûsî Malak) Малаки Тавус Peacock Angel Peacock Angel Anioł Paw FK 3-4, 13-14, 16 A
Melek Şêx Sin / Şêx Şems Шех Шамс Şêx Şems (sun angel) Sheikh Shams Szejch Szams FK 16 A
Melek Fexredîn Малак Фэхрэдин Melek Fexredîn (moon angel) Malak Fakhradin Malak Fakhradin FK 16 A
Melek Şemsedîn Малак Шамсадин Melek Şemsedîn (alternative name for the sun angel) Malak Shamsadin Malak Szamsadin FK 16 A
Şêx Mend Шех Мэнд Şêx Mend (patron of snakes) Sheikh Mend Szejchmand FK 16 A
Pîr Bahrî Пир Баhри Pîr Bahrî (Pirbarî’s ancestral Pîr) Pir Bahri Pir Bahri FK 16 A
Milyak’at-qan / Holy Angel , Holy Angel (phallic deity of love) Holy Angel (Deus Phalli) Holy Angel FK 3-4 (Rodziewicz) A
Munkir Мункир Angel of the grave (interrogator angel) Munkir Munkir FK 9 (Bayazidi) A
Nekir Нэкир Angel of the grave (recorder angel) Nakir Nekir FK 9 A
Azazil / Azrail Азазил/Азраил Azazil/Azrail (conflated with Tawûs in the Mişefa Reş) Azazil / Azrail Azazil/Azrail FK 16 A

7. ÊZÎDÎ TRIBES (according to Bayazidi 1857, FK 9)

Hawar Cyrl EN Source Trust
Kiliri Кьилири Êzîdî tribe Kiliri (300 fam.) FK 9 (Bayazidi) A
Muchai’ili Мухайли Êzîdî tribe Muchai’ili (200) FK 9 A
Hasini hасини Êzîdî tribe Hasini (500) FK 9 A
Reşi Рэши Êzîdî tribe Reşi (200) FK 9 A
Mendiki Мэндики Êzîdî tribe Mendiki (200) FK 9 A
Barawi Барави Êzîdî tribe Barawi (150) FK 9 A
Sali Сали Êzîdî tribe Sali (100) FK 9 A
Nemiri Нэмири Êzîdî tribe Nemiri (2000) FK 9 A
Kendali Кэндали Êzîdî tribe Kendali (2000) FK 9 A
Awuki Авуки Êzîdî tribe Awuki (200/300) FK 9 A
Daseni Дасэни Êzîdî tribe Daseni (classical) (assumed) B

8. KHORASAN-KURMANCÎ VOCABULARY (FK 16, Hajiyan/Demîrhan)

A selection of 30+ lemmas from the Khorasan Kurmanji dialect dictionary, also useful for general Kurmancî comprehension:

Hawar (Khorasan) Hawar (Standard) EN EN
ah nifir curse curse
ar agir fire fire
arbrîsk bîrûsk lightning lightning
av av water water
avis ducanî pregnant pregnant
avîtin avêtin to throw to throw
axir afir manger manger
axî giyayek jehrîn poison grass poison grass
balgi balîf, balgî pillow pillow
bap’îr kalik grandfather grandfather
bayem badem, behîv almond almond
berfend’il epe snowball snowball
bil’ûr bilûr flute flute
birî birû eyebrow eyebrow
can / giyan can, giyan soul/life soul/life
cêran ceylan, xezal gazelle gazelle
çem zeft grip, hold grip
çêx, quner qelew thick, fat thick, fat
çêv çav eye eye
dade bigire take! take!
daqultandin daqurtandin to swallow to swallow
dax bîr memory, brand-mark memory, brand-mark
dergistî destgirtî engaged engaged
derp’i derpê trousers trousers
devîn dîwar wall wall
dîfal dîwar wall wall
dirav pere money money
dotmam dotmam (paternal) cousin (paternal) cousin
evîn evîn love love
garis konjî sesame, millet sesame, millet
gewriya / gewrî gewrî throat throat
guhandin / cêya guhandin / cêya to wander / separate wander / separate
guhişk guh ear ear
hengulisk gustîl finger ring finger ring
heray hawar cry for help cry for help
h’îstir hêsir tear tear
h’ezaz hezge landslide landslide
jin jin woman woman
kalîn melîn to bark to bark
kurmanc kurmanc Kurmanji Kurd Kurmanji Kurd
law / lawik lawê me / kur boy, son boy, son
mal mal house house
mar mar snake snake
n’ûr nûr light light
pez pez sheep sheep
rûh rûh soul soul
stêr stêr star (also: family shrine) star (also: family shrine)
şêx şêx sheikh sheikh
xerab xerab bad, evil bad, evil
xerqe xerqe woolen mystic garment woolen mystic garment
Xwedê Xwedê God God

9. SCRIPT SYSTEMATICS

Hawar Cyrl EN EN PL Source Trust
Êzîdiki / Êzdîkî Эздыки Êzîdî (Kurmancî variant of the Êzîdîs) Yezidi Kurmanji êzdiki FK 16 A
Êzîdî alphabet (Bittner 1913) , published/described by Maximilian Bittner in 1913 Bittner-rediscovered script alfabet Bittnera FK 16 A
Kurmancî Курманчи Kurmancî Kurdish (main dialect of the Êzîdîs) Kurmanji kurmandi FK all A
Hawar Хавар “Hawar” Latin alphabet (1932, Mîr Celadet Bedirxan) Hawar Latin alphabet alfabet hawar FK 16 A

10. IMPORTANT TERMS FROM SACRED PROSE

Hawar Cyrl EN EN PL Source Trust
Behr Бэhр Sea (in the cosmogonic sense) Sea, ocean morze FK 3-4 (Qewl) A
Erd Эрд Earth Earth ziemia FK 3-4 A
Ezman Эзман Heaven, sky Heaven, sky niebo FK 3-4 A
Erş Эрш Throne (divine) Throne Tron FK 3-4 A
Text Тэхт Throne, seat Throne tron FK 3-4 (Q. Bê Elîf) A
Çardê felek Чардэ фэлэк Fourteen spheres (7 heavens + 7 earths) Fourteen spheres czternaście sfer FK 3-4 A
Heft ezman hэфт эзман Seven heavens Seven heavens siedem niebios FK 3-4 A
Behra bê serî bê binî Бэhра бэ сэри бэ бьни Sea without beginning and without end sea without beginning, without end morze bez końca FK 3-4 (Q. Afirîna) A
Adem Pêxember Адэм Пэхэмбэр Adam the Prophet Prophet Adam Adam-Prorok FK 3-4 A
Pêxember Пэхэмбэр Prophet Prophet prorok FK A
Şehîd bin Cer Шэhид бьн Джэр Şehîd bin Cer (progenitor of the Êzîdîs, son of Adam) Shahid bin Jarr Szahid bin Dżar FK 13-14 A
Layla / Houri Лайла Layla, the houri (Êzîdî myth) Layla houri Lajla houri FK 13-14 A
Rabia al-Edewiye Рабиа эл-Эдэвия Rabia al-Adawiyya (early Sufi woman, venerated in Qewl) Rabia al-Adawiya Rabia al-Adawijja FK 3-4 A
Mansur al-Hallaj Мансур эль-hэллaдж Mansur al-Hallaj (Sufi martyr, in Qewl) Mansur al-Hallaj Hallaj FK 16 A
Halal hэлал permitted (ritually) permissible dozwolone FK 16 A
Heram hэрам forbidden (ritually) forbidden zakazane FK 16 A

11. IMPORTANT WORD GROUPS FROM QEWL ANALYSIS

“Love”: all terms used in the Qewls (Rodziewicz FK 3-4, p. 49)

Hawar Cyrl EN Source
mihbet (mihbetê, mihbeta) мhбэт COSMOGONIC LOVE (central, Arab. mahabba) FK 3-4
eşq (eşqa, aşiq) эшк passionate love (Arab. 'ishq) FK 3-4
evîn (evîndarî) эвин love (Kurdish native, modern) FK 3-4
dildarî дилдари heartfelt friendship FK 3-4
hub / ub hуб divine love (Arab.) FK 3-4
şez шэз regional variant of love FK 3-4
gir гир (rare) FK 3-4
ebandin, ebîb, ebîn эбандин “to love/beloved” (verb form) FK 3-4

“Cosmogonic Triad” of the Êzîdîs:

Hawar Description
Xwedê Supreme creator God (passive-transcendent)
Tawûsê Melek Active aspect, administrator of the world (= Peacock Angel)
Şêx Adî Earthly incarnation (12th c.)

→ Pirbarî (FK 16): “Xwedê is the Creator who withdraws. Tawûsê Melek actively administers. Şêx Adî is his incarnation.”

12. NUMERICAL OVERVIEW (Duties/Days/Angels)

Number Kurmancî Meaning
3 Sê Triad Xwedê - Tawûsê Melek - Şêx Adî
5 Pênc Pênc Ferzêt Heqîqetê (5 Duties of Truth), pênc rikn of the hierarchy (Mîr, Bavê Şêx, Peşimam, Pîr, Murîd)
7 Heft Heft Sur (7 Mysteries), Heft Melek (7 Angels), Heft ezman (7 heavens)
14 Çardê Çardê felek (14 spheres = 7 heavens + 7 earths)
40 Çil Çil-day fast (Sêz-Roj), Çil-Cuma (40-Friday tradition)
5 Holy Days , Idên reş, Mihrecan, Berata Adam, Beratê Êzîd, Çila Havînê

13. RELIGIOUS STUDIES TERMS (for context)

Term EN Source
Endogamy Mandate to marry within the religious community FK 13-14 (Rodziewicz)
Caste system Birth-based social ordering Murîd-Pîr-Şêx FK 16
Sufism / Tassawuf Mystical Islamic tradition (Êzîdî precursor) FK 16
Tarikat Sufi brotherhood FK 16
Derwesh / Zahid Ascetic FK 16
Polytheism / Monotheism Controversy: Êzîdîs are monotheistic (Pirbarî, Asatrian/Arakelova) FK 13-14
Ethno-religious group Asatrian position: Êzîdîs are a distinct ethnicity FK 13-14
Sub-group of Kurds Kreyenbroek position: Êzîdîs are a Kurdish subgroup FK 13-14

Notes on the Cyrillic spelling (Êzîdiki)

The Cyrillic Êzîdiki spelling was developed in the Soviet Union in the 1920s–30s and is today common in the Armenian, Georgian and Russian Êzîdî diaspora. Pirbarî’s translations of the Qewls into Russian are an important reference in the diaspora. The following character table (simplified):

Hawar Cyrl
a а
b б
c дж
ç ч
d д
e э
ê е
f ф
g г
h h / х (context-dependent)
i ь (short)
î и (long)
j ж
k к
q кь
l л
m м
n н
o о
p п
r р
s с
ş ш
t т
u у / ь (context-dependent)
û у
v в
w в (or Latin)
x х
y й
z з
’ (ʿayn) ’

→ The Cyrillic forms listed here are reconstructed/normalized according to Pirbarî conventions. For unclear cases: “–”.

14. RELIGIOUS & CULTURAL KEY TERMS (attested standard lexicon)

Trust level: Trust A (established Êzîdî scholarship). Sources of this section: Kreyenbroek 1995; Kreyenbroek/Rashow 2005; Omarkhali 2017; Açıkyıldız 2010; Spät 2005/2008; Encyclopaedia Iranica (Kreyenbroek, Yazidis i–ii); Rodziewicz/Tagay 2023 (Berat). This section supplements the tables above with the religious-cultural core terminology consistently attested in the standard literature. Terms in Latin Kurmancî (Hawar). Tawûsî Melek is the Peacock Angel and God’s vicegerent, never “devil”. Cross-references to the canonical article slugs (/wiki/...).

14.1 Mysteries, Holy Beings & Cosmology

Hawar EN, precise explanation Cross-reference Source Trust
Sur / Sirr Mystery, divine secret (Arab. sirr). In Êzîdî theology the hidden divine principle that manifests in the Holy Beings; also the “substance/essence” of a saint. Religion Kreyenbroek 1995, pp. 95–96; Omarkhali 2017 A
Heft Sirr “The Seven Mysteries”, the seven Holy Beings (also Heft Melek, Seven Angels) to whom the transcendent God entrusted the world; Tawûsî Melek is their head. Religion, Tawûsî Melek Kreyenbroek 1995, pp. 95–97; Kreyenbroek/Rashow 2005 A
Tawûsî Melek Peacock Angel, head of the Holy Beings, God’s vicegerent on Earth, special guardian angel of the Êzîdîs. NEVER “devil”. Tawûsî Melek Kreyenbroek 1995; Açıkyıldız 2010, pp. 71–74 A
Sultan Êzîd Divine hypostasis (third member of the triad Xwedê – Şêx Adî – Sultan Êzîd); namesake of the Êzî festival. Religion Kreyenbroek/Rashow 2005; EncIranica Yazidis i A
Êzî / Êzîd One of the name forms of God or his earthly manifestation; reference point of the three-day December fast Rojiyên Êzî. Feste Kreyenbroek 1995; EncIranica Yazidis i A

14.2 Clergy, Castes & Offices

Hawar EN, precise explanation Cross-reference Source Trust
Feqîr Ascetic of the Êzîdîs; wears the black woolen cowl (xirqe); rules of life (no alcohol, no shaving of beard/moustache). The Feqîr status is partly hereditary (Feqîr families), partly a chosen way of life. Geistlichkeit Kreyenbroek 1995, pp. 135–136; Açıkyıldız 2010 A
Xirqe Sacred (black) woolen cowl of the Feqîr; symbol of Şêx Adî’s garment and spiritual authority; cosmologically linked to the “woolen veil” of the creation hymns. Geistlichkeit Kreyenbroek 1995, p. 135; Kreyenbroek/Rashow 2005 A
Koçek Visionary/seer with the gift of clairvoyance; mediates between the living and the souls of the deceased, can prophesy and heal; feminine form feqra. Geistlichkeit Kreyenbroek 1995, pp. 137–138; Spät 2008 A
Qewwal / Qewal Religious singer and hymn reciter; forms a distinct class, comes mainly from Beşîqê/Behzanê; carries the sacred instruments (def, şibab) and the Sanjaks in the Tawûsgeran procession. Geistlichkeit, Sanjak Kreyenbroek 1995, p. 134; Açıkyıldız 2010, p. 101 A
Mişûr Sacred Pîr document (“deed”); a parchment manuscript of a Pîr lineage (ocax) describing the lineage’s founder and listing the tribes/murîds assigned to him; regarded as a certificate of recognition. Tradition: 40 Mişûrs for 40 Pîr lineages. Geistlichkeit, Qewl-Tradition Omarkhali 2017; Pirbarî/Omarkhali, Iranian Studies 53 (2020) A

14.3 Sanctuaries & sacred objects

Hawar EN, precise explanation Cross-reference Source Trust
Sanjak / Sinjaq Sacred bronze standard with a peacock figure, image of Tawûsî Melek. Tradition: originally seven Sanjaks (one per Êzîdî district = “Sanjak”); carried in procession through the villages. Sanjak, Tawûsî Melek Açıkyıldız 2010, pp. 101–105; Spät 2005 A
Tawûsgeran “The carrying around of the peacock”, a procession institution in which the Qewwals carry the Sanjaks through the villages; with sermons, the collecting of donations, and the distribution of holy water and berat. Has its own calendar, not identical with Cejna Cemaiyê. Sanjak, Feste Açıkyıldız 2010, pp. 101–105; Kreyenbroek 1995, pp. 158–161 A
Kanîya Spî “White Spring” in Lalîş; its water is essential for the baptism mor kirin; cosmologically the primordial source of creation. Lebenszyklus, Gebet-Praxis Kreyenbroek 1995; EncIranica Yazidis ii A
Berat Pearl-shaped white pellet made of consecrated Lalîş earth (with further ingredients); a physical bond to the holiest place, protection/blessing for the household, made by Feqîr families; also interpreted as a “passport” of belonging. Gebet-Praxis, Lebenszyklus Rodziewicz/Tagay, BJMES 51/1 (2023); Omarkhali 2017 A

14.4 Rites, Life Cycle & Festivals

Hawar EN, precise explanation Cross-reference Source Trust
Cem / Cejna Cemaiyê “Feast of the Assembly”, the annual main festival, 6–13 October, in honour of Şêx Adî; a pilgrimage festival to Lalîş with central ceremonies, community building, dispute resolution. Feste Kreyenbroek 1995, p. 152; Açıkyıldız 2010, p. 96 A
Mor kirin Baptism/“sealing” of a child with water from the Kanîya Spî in Lalîş; ideally early in life; a structural point of comparison with Christian baptism. Lebenszyklus EncIranica Yazidis ii (Initiation); Kreyenbroek 1995 A
Bisk Initiation rite with a child’s first haircut (one lock is left); central in Turkey/Armenia/Syria; comparable to the Muslim ʿaqîqa on the 7th day. Lebenszyklus EncIranica Yazidis ii; Kreyenbroek 1995 A
Kiras guhertin “Changing the shirt/garment”, the Êzîdî metaphor for the transmigration of souls (reincarnation). Religion Kreyenbroek 1995, p. 124; Omarkhali 2017 A
Birayê / Xwişka axiretê “Brother/Sister of the Hereafter”, a spiritual godparenthood, a lifelong spiritual bond that crosses caste boundaries. Lebenszyklus, Gesellschaftsordnung EncIranica Yazidis ii; Kreyenbroek 1995 A
Sersal / Serê Salê “Beginning of the year”, Êzîdî New Year; celebrated on the first Wednesday after 14 April; egg-dyeing as a symbol of the origin of life; renewal/revival of the earth. Feste Kreyenbroek 1995; Açıkyıldız 2010 A
Çarşema Sor “Red Wednesday”, New Year’s Day itself, at the same time the day of creation; also Çarşema Serê Nîsanê (“Wednesday at the beginning of April”). Feste Kreyenbroek 1995; EncIranica Yazidis i A
Rojiyên Êzî / Çile Three-day December fast in honour of Êzî (in the Êzîdî calendar in mid-December, the shortest days), concluded with the Êzî festival on Friday. Feste, Gebet-Praxis Kreyenbroek 1995; EncIranica Yazidis i A

Source Block (Section 14: established Êzîdî scholarship)

Trust Overview: How many lemmas are Trust A?

  • Trust A (academically verified in Fritillaria): approx. 130 lemmas
  • Trust B (plausibly cross-comparable): approx. 20 lemmas
  • Trust A (Section 14, established Êzîdî scholarship): 26 further lemmas

Total: 175+ lemmas.

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