A Journey Through the History of Kurdistan

The Heart of Kurdish Civilization

Who are the Kurds?

The Kurds are an indigenous nation of the Middle East, numbering over 40 million people. They primarily inhabit a vast geographic region known as Kurdistan, which is characterized by the Zagros and Taurus mountain ranges. Following the Treaty of Lausanne (1923), the Kurdish homeland was divided among four modern nation-states: Turkey (Northern Kurdistan), Iran (Eastern Kurdistan), Iraq (Southern Kurdistan), and Syria (Western Kurdistan). Geographically, Kurdistan shares borders with several nations and cultures: to the north with Armenia and Georgia, to the east with central Iran, to the south with the Arab plains of Iraq and Syria, and to the west with the Anatolian regions of Turkey. Despite this forced division, the Kurds remain the largest ethnic group in the world without an independent state, united by a common language, history, and cultural identity

The Roots of the Kurds

The Kurdish roots are deeply embedded in the ancient soil of Mesopotamia and the Zagros highlands. Genetic and historical evidence suggests that Kurds are the direct descendants of the indigenous mountain tribes who have inhabited this region for over 5,000 years. From the Hurrians and Guti to the Medes, these ancestors were among the first to domesticate animals and discover agriculture in the Fertile Crescent. The Kurdish identity is a tapestry woven from these ancient civilizations, maintaining a continuous link between the prehistoric inhabitants of the mountains and the modern Kurdish nation. Our roots are not defined by borders, but by a shared ancestry that has survived the rise and fall of countless empires.

The Kurdish Language

The Kurdish language is an independent branch of the Indo-European family. It is a rich collection of dialects that reflect the geographic diversity of Kurdistan. The most prominent dialects are:
- Kurmanji (Northern Kurdish): The most widely spoken dialect, used in Northern (Turkey) and Western (Syria) Kurdistan, as well as parts of the Duhok province in Iraq.
- Sorani (Central Kurdish): Widely used in Southern (Iraq) and Eastern (Iran) Kurdistan. It is the primary literary and administrative dialect in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, centered in cities like Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Kirkuk.
- Southern Kurdish (Pehewani/Kalhori): Spoken in cities such as Kermanshah, Ilam, and Khanaqin.
- Zazaki and Gorani (Hewrami): Ancient and distinct branches spoken in specific regions of Northern and Eastern/Southern Kurdistan.
- While Kurmanji has the largest number of speakers, Sorani is currently the most dominant in media and administration within the Kurdistan Region.

The Geography of Kurdistan

Kurdistan is divided into four main parts across four different countries, along with historical enclaves in the Caucasus.
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1. Northern Kurdistan (Bakur - Southeast Turkey) Status: The largest part of Kurdistan in terms of area and population.
Provinces: Includes approximately 25 to 30 provinces.
Major Cities: Amed (Diyarbakır)—considered the spiritual capital—followed by Van, Mardin, Dersim, Urfa, and Hakkari.
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2. Eastern Kurdistan (Rojhelat - Western Iran) Status: The second-largest part.
Provinces: Mainly consists of four provinces: West Azerbaijan (Urmia), Kurdistan (Sanandaj), Kermanshah, and Ilam. Major Cities: Kermanshah (the most populous city in Rojhelat), Sanandaj, Mahabad, and Urmia.
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3. Southern Kurdistan (Bashur - Northern Iraq) Status: Currently the only part with a constitutionally recognized autonomous government (Kurdistan Region).
Provinces: Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Duhok, and Halabja, in addition to the disputed territories like Kirkuk.
Major Cities: Erbil (Hewlêr)—the capital—followed by Sulaymaniyah, Kirkuk, and Duhok.
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4. Western Kurdistan (Rojava - Northern Syria) Status: Located in the north and northeast of Syria.
Regions: Historically organized into three main cantons: Jazira, Kobane, and Afrin.
Major Cities: Qamishli, Kobane, Afrin, and Hasakah.
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Key Demographic Facts Largest Kurdish Population: Northern Kurdistan (Bakur) holds the highest number of Kurds, estimated between 15 to 20 million.
The "Kurdish Capital" in Diaspora: Istanbul is often cited as the city with the largest Kurdish population in the world due to decades of internal migration.
Red Kurdistan (Kurdistana Sor) Location: Situated between Armenia and Azerbaijan (specifically the Lachin corridor).
History: An autonomous Kurdish district established by the Soviet Union from 1923 to 1929.
> Today: While it no longer exists as a political entity, it remains a vital part of Kurdish historical archives and the history of the Kurdish presence in the Caucasus.

Religions in Kurdistan

The religious landscape of Kurdistan is diverse and ancient. The majority of Kurds are Sunni Muslims (primarily Shafi'i school).
Significant populations also follow Shia Islam and the Alevi faith. Additionally, Kurdistan is the birthplace of unique indigenous religions such as Yazidism and Yarsanism (Kaka'i).
Small communities of Christians, Zoroastrians, and historical Kurdish Jewish lineages also form part of this rich spiritual tapestry.

The Partition and Oppression

The division of Kurdistan was orchestrated by colonial powers—primarily Britain and France—through the Sykes-Picot Agreement and the Treaty of Lausanne (1923). Throughout history, the Kurdish people faced brutal oppression from the regimes of Iraq, Turkey, Iran, and Syria, ranging from cultural assimilation to ethnic cleansing (Anfal). This legacy of betrayal led to the famous saying: 'The Kurds have no friends but the mountains.

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